Time to take a farm-fresh road trip!
It’s time for farm-fresh cherries and berries, with more delicious summertime favorites on the way. The season’s first cherries and early strawberries are showing up at farm stands and farmers markets around the Yakima Valley. That means u-pick season starts soon. Don’t wait to plan your farm-fresh road trip!
Nothing’s better than freshly picked cherries and berries to mark the start of summer – especially when you harvest them yourself. The season for u-pick cherries only lasts a few weeks, from late June to early July. U-pick strawberries are available now and we can enjoy just-picked raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches and more during the summer months. You can even harvest your own lavender! 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, 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 their farm tours every Saturday 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!
Thompson’s Farm
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 20 to 22, June 27 to 19 and July 4 to 6. 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 hot dogs 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!
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.
Blueberry Hill Berries
Three generations have farmed the land at Blueberry Hills. Dedicated to providing a quality organic product, Blueberry Hills is a place where families can hand-pick blueberries in the beautiful Yakima Valley and enjoy their signature frozen berry treat “Sorbatto.” They grow 15 different varieties of organic blueberries, available late June through August. They also grow raspberries and blackcaps, ripe for the picking late June through August, and blackberries July through August. You can also pre-order berries for pick-up or visit their store to purchase pre-packaged berries. Stay awhile at the outdoor kitchen and café and be sure to enjoy freshly made blueberry lemonade and other delicious treats. They’re open Sundays through Fridays, but closed on Saturdays.
West Valley U-pick
Cherry u-pick kicks off the season of fun for the whole family in Yakima’s beautiful West Valley, where you’ll find an incredible variety of u-pick produce from July through October. Enjoy a day in the field harvesting cherries beginning 4th of July weekend with an abundant crop of Rainiers and sweet, dark red cherries. In fact, they have 30 brand new Rainier trees ready for harvesting this year! Cherries are followed closely by blueberries and then peaches, pluots and a variety of vegetable crops. Pears, apples, grapes and more run through fall as the season moves along. Once they open for the season, find their produce schedule and hours on their website where you can also find a great map of their farm to guide your harvest adventures. You can also call for updates.
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 annual Lavender Harvest Days Festival, July 11 to 13, this year celebrating their “Lavenderversary” of 25 years! 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.
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
