Summertime is for freshly picked tomatoes, bright, flavorful raspberries, blueberries the size of a quarter, and warm sunshine on your face. Growing your own food is incredibly rewarding, but for some, it’s out of reach. Apartments don’t have enough space, and it can be costly and time-consuming for busy people. Over the last few years, U-pick produce has become popular as families, friends and dates look for affordable outdoor activities to spend time together. There are so many pick-your-own-produce farms to choose from; you don’t need to leave Snohomish County. City visitors get the priceless opportunity to slow down, create new traditions, and enjoy the farming experience while supporting small local agriculture and charming family farms.
Depending on the weather and varietal, harvest times can change quite a bit from year to year. It’s important to mark your calendar, so you don’t miss out on your favorites. Check the website before you go or call to make sure the berries are ready for picking. The best part of U-pick is that you get to harvest your produce at its peak of flavor. Strawberries are available in June, raspberries in July, blueberries through July and August, vegetables in mid to late summer, and pumpkins well into fall.
Bailey Family Farm
One of the most beloved destinations is Bailey Family Farm in Snohomish. This fifth-generation family farm offers 50 acres of U-pick vegetables and fruit fields. They also accept clean yard clippings from visitors to turn into compost. During the summer season, visitors can harvest strawberries, raspberries, flowers, and vegetables. Fall brings pumpkins and wagon rides. Dig up your own earthy potatoes; pick crisp cucumbers, green beans, beets, lettuce, spinach, kale, chard, strawberries, raspberries, apples, and over a dozen more, all found with their U-pick dates here.
Broers Farms Inc.
Broers Farms is a small, organic farm only a few minutes from downtown Monroe. Come pick blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins, green beans, blackberries, squash, sunflowers, and even marionberries. A small playground keeps the kids busy.
Johnson’s Blueberries
Blueberry lovers head toward Monroe to Johnson’s Blueberries. Located in the picturesque Tualco Valley, the farm specializes in early-season blueberries and typically opens from late June to early August. The farm is fully netted overhead to protect crops from birds. Wagons, buckets and boxes are all available to carry your pickings through the rows of berry bushes. They love big groups and encourage parties to call ahead so they can set aside several peak rows for them.
Multiple blueberry varieties are grown here, making it a favorite for both fresh eating and freezer stocking. The Johnson family will ask you what you’re planning to do with your blueberries or which qualities you love (sweetness, size, good for freezing, etc.) and will point you to the freshest berry rows with your preferred varieties.
Mountainview Blueberry Farm
Mountainview Blueberry Farm is a nine-acre blueberry and sunflower destination in Snohomish. Check their website for a list of all the varietals they carry and what makes each special. They also have a fun page of recipes to use with their blueberries. Snohomish County tourism often highlights Mountainview Farm as one of the area’s signature summer experiences.
Biringer’s Black Crow Pumpkins & Corn Maze
Biringer’s Black Crow Pumpkins and Corn Maze in Arlington offers seasonal u-pick produce and pumpkin harvesting during autumn. Biringer’s is especially popular with families because of its corn maze, dog-friendly atmosphere, and fall festivals. In addition to pumpkins, the farm sells local honey, cider, and seasonal vegetables grown on-site.
Valentina Farm
Valentina Farm, formerly called Bryant Blueberry Farm & Nursery in Arlington, is a blueberry and blackberry farm that caters to kids with a small playground and sandbox. An activity center contains blocks, coloring, books and a chalkboard to keep kids occupied while the rest of the family picks. They have a train ride for kids to take and sheep and goats to feed.
Valentina sells several varieties of berry bushes to take home. Blueberries, tayberries, red and black currants can all be purchased on-site.
A Few Friendly Tips
- Only pick ripe produce that you will buy.
- Handle produce gently; squeezing it or pulling too hard on the branch can damage the plant.
- Stay in the proper rows without stepping on or over plants. Small stems and produce are easily damaged, especially by children who often don’t notice.
- Food fights with overripe produce are not permitted (yes, this actually happens often!).
- Respect closed rows.
- Pick cleanly, without leaving half-picked produce. Damaged plants attract pests and diseases.
- Have a great time and enjoy the sunshine!
Snohomish County U-pick farms offer the chance to experience fresh, seasonal food at its source, surrounded by open fields, mountain views, clean Pacific Northwest air and a lifetime of memories.
