For families around the Emerald City, July is all about outdoor concerts, returning summer festivals and splash pads. But for families who love to pick their own berries, it’s also prime blueberry picking season. That’s why we’ve scoped out ten Seattle blueberry picking farms where you can fill your buckets and your freezers with this healthy summer treat. Most feature organic blueberries, and they’ve all got tasty varieties so you can use these blues for baking (or snacking) all summer long. Grab your buckets, and head out with the kids to go blueberry picking soon.
Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm
This conveniently-located farm has been operated by the Bellevue Parks and Community Service Department since the 1940s. And if you ask us it's one of the easiest places to go blueberry picking. Sitting on land with a historic log cabin and trails in the Lake Hills Greenbelt, the use of chemicals and pesticides is minimized on the farm’s blueberry plants. Plastic-lined buckets are provided at Lake Hills Farm Fresh Produce stand that's also your check-in point (psst...be sure to have them weighed before you head out to the field). Families are encouraged to bring buckets for the kids (and their own plastic linings if possible to reduce waste) as the number of buckets available is limited. Please bring a valid photo identification as a deposit for the borrowed picking buckets. After you’re done picking, you can grab a week’s worth of fresh produce and cut flowers or you can bring your bikes and enjoy a peaceful ride around the greenbelt trail.
Hours: Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Check-in ends 1 hour before closing. Dates: July through September
700 148th Ave. S.E. Bellevue, WA 98007 346-298-0193 Online: bellevuewa.gov
Canter-Berry Farms
South-enders and Chaucer fans alike will love this Auburn-based blueberry farm that gained fame by selling their delicious blueberry products at Pike Place Market for over three decades. They retired from the Market in 2015, but still sell blueberry wine, chocolates and other unique blueberry products on site. Although not organic, Canter-Berry proudly limits their chemical use and does not spray their berries. Some of their bushes are over 50 years old, and you’ll be able to pick from eight different varieties of gorgeous jewel-toned fruit (including one that is even a little bit spicy!).
Dates: Late July
19102 S.E. Green Valley Rd. Auburn, WA 98092 800-548-8418 Online: canterberryfarms.com
Blue Dog Farm
Located in the quaint farming town of Carnation, the folks at Blue Dog are serious about their organic blueberries; they have a membership-driven concept to better support their sustainable and organic farming practices. This is a great option for families who want frequent access to lots of berries all season long at a never-picked-out farm. As a member ($30 annual fee; $25 before July 1) you can come any day you want, dawn ’til dusk, and pick till your heart’s content at the self-service farm. (You’ll still pay by the pound, but you get to pick anytime you like and in the quiet and calm of a tranquil farm almost all to yourself!) Sign up to become a member at the farm on your first day of picking or by email.
Hours: Members can pick daily, dawn ’til dusk. Dates: July–early Aug.
7125 W. Snoqualmie Valley Rd. Carnation, WA 98014 Online: bluedogfarm.com
Mountainveiw Blueberry Farm
Nestled into a hillside in the Snohomish River Valley, the bucolic setting of this spot rivals the tasty blueberries as a reason to visit this family-owned farm. Play peek-a-boo with Mt. Baker as you gather berries with your crew. The farm spans over nine acres and includes seven different blueberry varieties, many you won’t find anywhere else. The different sizes and tastes make for interesting baking and healthy snacking options for the kids. Although the farm isn’t certified organic, they use integrated pest management practices to reduce the need for pesticides. Then come back in August for u-pick sunflowers in living color.
Hours: Tue.-Sun., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Dates: opening late July
Bryant Blueberry Farm is always a great spot to pick blueberries, currents and tayberries with the kids on a warm summer day. Their juicy blueberries are grown with sustainable agricultural methods, as are their currents, tayberries (a hybrid of blackberries and raspberries) and beautiful U-cut flowers. And, if your kiddos get totally pooped out from all that sun and farm animal play time, you can always cheat and buy a few flats of pre-picked natural berries to take home (pre-picked packs will be available soon). You may even get talked into bringing a blueberry plant home, so you can pick your own at home next year.
Blue Dot Farm is based south of Seattle in Enumclaw and is managed organically. This pastoral farm features over 16 varieties of blueberries to pick from, including some of the largest varietals and a few still under patent. Also unique to Blue Dot is that you buy your U-pick berries by the bucket size (large or small), not the pound. Pre-picked berries are also available, but call ahead to make sure your order is ready for you when you arrive. Blue Dot Farm provides the buckets for picking, and pickers will be required to book an appointment in one or two-hour increments.
21010 S.E. 416th St. Enumclaw, WA 98022 360-825-1623 Online: bluedotfarm.com
Broers Farms
Nestled into the fertile countryside in Monroe, Broers Farms is a berry lover's dream come true. That goes double if you like your berries to be 100% organic. (They’ve been certified organic for 25 years.) At Broers, the whole family is welcome to pick in their fields of raspberries, blackberries, marionberries and of course, blueberries. Psst...raspberry fields are about a mile from the farm, so groups are organized and escorted out. Be sure to wear long sleeves and pants if you’re venturing away from blueberry patches; the rest can have a few brambles.
If you’re looking for a down-home feel, look no further than this small, family-owned farm growing organic blueberries in Olalla. Families can reserve a spot to pick via Facebook. Then bring your buckets (just make sure to weigh them before you start picking) and your sense of adventure to the Kitsap Peninsula. You’ll often spot the owner/host around the farm, chatting and making everyone feel welcome. Our favorite part? The painted blue rocks hidden among the blueberry bushes. If your tot spots one, bring it to the weigh station to collect a small prize. Sweet! Just remember to make a reservation to pick here.
Hours: Vary based on day Dates: Early July through September
If casual picking is what you're after, Charlotte's Blueberry Park in Tacoma is where you'll find it. Located in the middle of a neighborhood, this public picking spot is part of Tacoma Metro Parks. Families will find over 3,000 bushes, boasting five different blueberry varieties, free for picking. Yep, there's no cost for these beautiful blues. It’s a B.Y.O bucket kind of place. The park’s playground is a great distraction or for kids where they'll find climbing structures, slides and even a musical feature. Don’t forget to check on the mason bees who live there, too. They help pollinate plants like blueberry bushes and don’t sting. No pesticides or fertilizers are used on these berries, so you can feel good about using them on top of your yogurt in the morning.
Hours: Opens 30 mins. before sunrise, closes 30 mins. after sunset. Dates: Usually July through September
Located about 45-minutes north of Seattle, Henna Blueberry Farm grows several varieties of blueberries including Reka, Duke and Bluecrop for you to pick. Although not certified organic (they're working toward it), Henna Blueberry farm doesn’t spray any synthetic pesticides or chemicals on their bushes. If you want some farm variety for your U-pick adventure as well, along the five-mile corridor of SR 203 that connects Fall City and Carnation, you’ll find Henna Blueberry Farm, and many other family-friendly farms, produce stands and U-pick spots, including the kid-tastic Remlinger Farms and great CSA at Oxbow Farm.
Good to know: The farm has two fields; one in Carnation and one in Fall City (5 miles apart).
Hours: TBD Dates: July
Fall City Field 1800 Fall City Carnation Rd. Fall City, WA 98024
Carnation Field 32500 60th St. N.E. Carnation, WA 98014
Know before you go: 1. Always call ahead before you go picking since farm supply, hours and schedules are constantly in flux.
2. Bring a bucket for picking (see individual farm policies about using personal buckets) and reuseable containers so you can easily bring your haul home. Hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, sturdy shoes and lots of water are also good to pack. Most fields are in full sun, and sometimes you have to walk a while to find the perfect bushes. Be ready to be out in the sun for at least an hour.
3. Keep a close eye on wandering tots. It’s easy for adventurous little ones to get lost in blueberry bushes that are taller than they are!
4. Bring cash or make sure that the farm accepts credit or checks.
5. Leave Fido at home, please. Most farms don’t allow dogs, and it’ll probably be too hot to keep your beloved pooch in the car.
