Time to take a farm-fresh road trip!
It’s time for cherries and berries, with more summertime favorites on the way! The first Rainier cherries early strawberries are finally showing up at farmers markets and farm stands around the Yakima Valley. That means u-pick season starts soon! Don’t wait to plan your farm-fresh road trip. The season for u-pick cherries only lasts a few weeks, though we can enjoy blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and more throughout summer months. Nothing’s better than a freshly picked cherry or berry to mark the start of summer – especially those you harvest yourself. You can even harvest your own lavender! Plan your farm-fresh road trip and visit one of the many family-owned farms offering u-pick experiences for your family all around the valley. Be sure visit the rest of the farm stands around the valley to see what else is in season throughout the summer months. Check out our farm-fresh trip ideas and guides for more inspiration!
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
Last year, the Thompson family celebrated 125 years of farming through five generations on the same land at the base of Clemen Mountain in Naches. Starting mid to 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. Later in the season, enjoy several varieties of peaches, followed by apples. Stop at their farm market in Naches on Hwy 12 from now until fall for freshly picked fruit from the farm, more locally grown produce, artisan food products, an array of gifts and more.
Washington Fruit Place at Barrett Orchards
U-pick opens at the Big Red Barn in Yakima on Friday, June 21. Visit from 10 am to 3 pm through July 6. Rainier and Bing cherries will be available but both may not be available on any given day. It all depends on Mother Nature. Freshly picked cherries, washed, sorted and packed, will be available for sale as well. Be sure to check out the farm market for unique gift items, handcrafted goods, local products and Winegars ice cream.
Ahtanum Berry Patch
A 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.
The earliest freshly picked strawberries are available to purchase in early June at the farm and at area farmers markets, followed by blueberries. Picked gooseberries are also available during their short season, usually in early July. The farm kicks off u-pick season July 17 to 21 with their Blackberry Festival. Pick blackberries all four days and enjoy music, food vendors and fun family activities on Saturday. U-pick continues at the farm through the summer, with thornless blackberries and raspberries, as well as blueberries. Strawberries are available for u-pick beginning in late August, running well through the end of September. Of course, picked berries are also available to purchase if you’d rather not pick your own.
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.
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 12 to 14. In addition to enjoying the grounds and hand-cutting lavender bouquets, make your own lavender wreath, watch a distilling demo, shop and have lunch from their local vendor market, take a bee scavenger hunt, and more.
Categorized in: Family Fun, Farm Fresh Fun
