Time to take a farm-fresh road trip!
It’s almost time for farm-fresh berries, with cherries and more delicious summertime crops on the way. The season’s first early strawberries are starting to appear at farm stands and farmers markets around the Yakima Valley and that means u-pick season starts soon! Don’t wait to plan your farm-fresh road trip.
Nothing’s better than freshly picked berries and cherries to mark the start of summer – especially when you harvest them yourself. So, we’re counting down the days for early strawberry u-pick with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, flowers, late-season strawberries, u-pick veggies and more throughout the summer months. Check out our top picks for u-pick at one of the family-owned farms around the valley.
Leave time for stops at farm stands and farmers markets loaded with farm-fresh fruits and vegetables all summer long. With more than 40 commercial crops grown on 2,500 farms, the Yakima Valley is the place to find the largest variety of fresh produce in the Pacific Northwest. Check out our farm-fresh trip ideas and guides for inspiration! Don’t miss the Downtown Yakima Farmers Market on Sundays and other farmers markets throughout the valley.
Make a delicious side stop at Tieton Farm & Creamery for Walk ‘N Talk Farm Tours and Market on Saturdays at 10 am. Enjoy a guided tour of the farm where they craft exceptional cheeses with a zero carbon footprint. Meet their happy herd of goats and sheep and then shop the farm stand for cheese, eggs and select produce in season. Cost is a $20 post-tour purchase at the farm stand, open 11 am to 2 pm. Check social channels for updates.
Remember, Mother Nature determines when fruits are ready to be picked, so always check your favorite farms’ websites and social channels for updates about availability!
U-Pick Farms
Ahtanum Berry Patch
A multi-generational, family-owned berry farm and bakery in Yakima’s West Valley, Ahtanum Berry Patch is as well known for their farm-fresh fruits as for their delicious, handmade baked goods. Famous for both classic and berry cinnamon rolls, they also craft scones, pies, cobblers, cookies and more – all made in-house daily with simple, whole ingredients including, of course, their hand-picked berries.
This year, Ahtanum Berry Patch is excited to expand their u-pick and farm experiences. Join them for fun-filled Saturdays throughout the season, with u-pick berries and a full lineup of treats and activities for the whole family, from chalk art competitions to cornhole and even live music on select Saturdays. Enjoy lunch on the patio with one or two hot specialties such as grilled pizza or smash burgers each Saturday. Leave room for bakery treats!
The first u-pick strawberries are available starting Saturday, May 31! Strawberry u-pick continues into the season, along with raspberries, followed by blueberries and thornless blackberries. Berries are available to purchase at the farm if you’d rather not pick. You’ll even find gooseberries during their short season, usually in early July. Don’t miss the Blackberry Festival in mid-July. Follow their social channels, check their website or call ahead during open hours to check what’s ripe and ready to pick at any given time. The bakery is open Wednesday through Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm.
Imperial’s Garden
Later in the season, head to Imperial’s Garden for u-pick vegetables. The Imperial family came to the Yakima Valley from the Philippines in 1983. They brought extensive agricultural education and experience with them, putting it to work creating a large, multi-generation family farming operation in Wapato. The expansive farm stand bursts with produce throughout the growing season, from fresh spring garlic and summer squashes to heirloom tomatoes, peppers, chiles, corn and more. All depending on the growing season, they plan to open up for u-pick tomatoes, squash and a variety of peppers from mild to hot, starting in August. Check out our Meet the Maker video to see more about the Imperial family.
LaPierre Farms & Winery
Family owned and certified organic for more than 20 years, LaPierre Farms takes pride in growing exceptional fruit with sustainable practices. They will open their blueberry patch for u-pick on weekends starting June 26. Spend a summer morning among the rows picking certified organic blueberries at their peak. You can register to secure a spot. Leave time for a post-picking glass of wine and a bite on their lovely winery tasting room deck. The tastings room’s produce market will be stocked with more in-season fruit, including cherries, peaches, nectarines and apples – all fresh from the farm. Keep an eye on their social channels for more u-pick dates.
Thompson’s Farm & Market
The Thompson family recently celebrated 125 years of farming through five generations on the same land at the base of Clemen Mountain in Naches. Starting late June, you’ll find several types of cherries available for u-pick, including Bing and Rainier as well as Lapin, Sweetheart and two varieties of sour pie cherries. Once the season kicks off, visit the farm on weekends, as well as some weekdays, as long as there are cherries. The u-pick schedule all depends on how the season moves along and how many cherries are ripe for picking. Find the latest updates about u-pick availability and hours on their website and Facebook. Starting in mid-August, enjoy several varieties of u-pick peaches, followed by u-pick apples during the pumpkin festival in October. Be sure to stop at Thompson’s Farm Market in Naches on Hwy 12 from now until fall for freshly picked fruit from the farm, a variety of locally grown produce, artisan food products, an array of gifts and more.
Washington Fruit Place at Barrett Orchards
Cherry u-pick opens at the Big Red Barn in Yakima for three weekends, June 18 to 21, June 25 to 28 and July 2 to 4. We recommend carpooling to make the most of limited parking. A $5 parking cost per car on u-pick weekends only. Rainier and Bing cherries will be available but both may not be available on any given day. It all depends on Mother Nature. Visit from 10 am to 3 pm for your fill of u-pick cherries, along with summertime treats, including snacks, treats and ice cream and shakes from the ice cream parlor. Enjoy a picnic on one of the tables in the orchard, then check out the farm market for unique gift items, handcrafted goods, locally made artisanal foods and décor. Freshly picked cherries, washed, sorted and packed, will be available for sale as well. Check the website or social channels for details about what you’ll need for u-pick!
More U-Pick Stops
A brand-new u-pick farm, Apricity Acres is back for a second year with apricots and flowers. The apricot season is short, so keep an eye on social channels starting early July. Find them at the Downtown Yakima Farmers Market, depending on crop availability. Cowiche Creek Nursery in Yakima’s West Valley has a loyal following of gardeners looking to fill their flower beds, but they also offer u-pick at their blueberry farm, along with a self-serve fridge to pick up berries. Crimson Acres also offers blueberry u-pick in the Prosser area. Find a lovely u-pick raspberry patch at Naches River Gardens, tucked into a little sport off Highway 12 in Yakima. Cascabel Estate in Wapato opens for the short u-pick cherry season at their tranquil AirBnb property. Last but not least, Liebrecht’s U-Pick Cherries, has a cult following for u-pick cherries right on Yakima Valley Highway near Wapato.
Flowers on the Farm
Selah Ridge Lavender Farm
This boutique family farm located in Selah, has been growing and distilling lavender to craft a premium skincare line and home items since 2000. They’re open during July on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm, or by appointment. While visiting the farm, stroll through their beautiful, fragrant rows of lavender, pick fresh bouquets from their fields and shop their beautifully fragrant products. Take a peaceful journey through the Lavender Labyrinth or just relax and enjoy the scenic country views and intoxicating aroma of lavender. Be sure to join them at the 19th annual Lavender Harvest Days Festival, July 10 to 12. Visit Friday from 2 to 7 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. In addition to enjoying the beautiful grounds, hand-cut your own lavender bouquets, make lavender wreaths, watch a distilling demo, shop from their local vendor market, take a bee scavenger hunt, shop their beautifully fragrant lavender products and enjoy fun activities for kids. Take a peaceful journey through the lavender labyrinth or just relax, enjoy the scenic country views and intoxicating aroma of lavender and take home a lavender plant of your own.
The month of May is the time to stop by Adeline’s Peonies in Zillah. Stroll through the flower fields, take plenty of photos and purchase freshly picked flowers. Canyon Blooms Petals for Patients is a quaint flower farm with a cause, tucked against the mouth of the scenic Cowiche Canyon. Keep an eye on their social channels for summertime farm tours and classes such as wreath-making. Proceeds are dedicated to providing flowers to those in moments of need. Quail Run Dahlias offers on-site bouquet pick-up during dahlia season, late summer through fall.
More Favorite Farm Stand Stops
Johnson Orchards
Farming since 1904, Johnson Orchards Farm Market is located right in the middle of town. In addition to a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables all season long, you’ll find a wide variety of locally made artisan foods and goods including local wine, craft beer and cider, candles, lavender products and more. Beginning mid-June, you can enjoy tree-ripened cherries, including Bing, Rainier, Van, Lapin, Skeena and Sweetheart varieties. Purchase your cherries sorted, washed and packaged. All you have to do is eat them! They feature a variety of local produce all season long.
Don’t forget about their delectable Little Bake Shop with two locations. At the Farm Market and at the stand-alone location, you’ll find a wide array of freshly baked, farm-fresh treats to purchase. They’re especially famous for their pies! Try some of the delicious sandwiches at the 68th avenue location.
McIlrath Farm Market
McIlrath Farm Market is a must-stop farm stand right on Highway 12. The family began farming in the Yakima Valley in 1976. With more than 300 acres in production, McIlrath Farms now grows more than 10 varieties of apples, pears certified organic cherries, peaches, pluots and strawberries. You’ll also find locally grown in-season vegetables, colorful hanging baskets and fresh-cut flowers, locally made artisanal foods. Enjoy cherries in early July with bountiful harvests to come throughout summer and fall. Keep your eye on their social channels for special treats such as fresh doughnuts and more. They’re open 10 am to 4 pm Wednesday through Saturday and 10 am to 1 pm on Sunday.
Precision Fruit & Antiques
Conveniently located as you approach Yakima on I-82 from the west, this farm stand is a long-time favorite. In addition to produce throughout the growing season, pick up local wine, signature foods such as candies, jams, preserves and pickles, and artisan goods. Of course, it’s also a favorite destination for antique lovers.
Imperial’s Garden
The Imperial family came to the Yakima Valley from the Philippines in 1983. They put their agricultural education from home to work, creating a large family farming operation in Wapato. The expansive farm stand bursts with produce throughout the growing season, from fresh spring garlic and summer squashes to heirloom tomatoes, peppers, chiles, corn and more.
Jones Farms
Jones Farms has been a family operation since 1946. They open the farm stand in Zillah in July when harvests are abundant. Find everything from sweet tree fruits, such as nectarines and peaches, as well as tomatoes, corn, squash, pumpkins and more. This is a must-visit on your farms stand tour of the Lower Yakima Valley.
Categorized in: Family Fun, Farm Fresh Fun