2024 Far Northwest Oregon Gooseberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Gooseberry U-Pick Orchards in Far Northwest Oregon in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for gooseberries that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have gooseberries orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

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Washington County

• Smith Berry Barn - Uses natural growing practices, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, gooseberries, loganberries, marionberries, other berries, peppers, raspberries, tayberries, tomatoes, prepicked produce, gift shop, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals
  24500 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Hillsboro, OR 97007. Phone: 503-628-2172. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: 10 miles SW of Washington Square in Scholls. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October Seasonal hours vary, please check our website for current information. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified OrganicAdditionally we grow numerous varieties of squash and over 25 varieties of apples that are ready picked. At right is a TYPICAL (that word is emphasized for a reason) harvest schedule - CALL before you go!!!!) (UPDATED: July 11, 2018, JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on July 10, 2012: "AMAZING! Cannot say enough good things about this farm. The berries were plentiful and they had more than one variety for each type of berry. They are no spray. The Farmer and workers are super friendly and helpful. They have a really cute cafe and gift shop as well as a picnic area. Today we picked raspberries and they were huge and delicious. We plan on going back this week for blueberries. "
  Comments from a visitor on July 18, 2010: "We visited the not once but TWICE already this season. First for strawberries - which were wonderful, sweet and juicy and then again for raspberries. I made jam out of both. The selection of raspberries was really nice - lots of big berries that were delicious! They have quite a few different berries from strawberries to tayberries. We plan to go back today to get blackberries. The farm was clean, buckets are provided and they accept debit cards. There were some chickens that we looked at and some really cute little goats too. Gift shop was well stocked and they have FRESH BERRY MILKSHAKES!!! Really yummy. Lots of plants available to purchase. Overall it was wonderful and this is now my go to farm for berries."
• West Union Gardens - summer & fall raspberries, boysenberries, black raspberries, marionberries, loganberries, tayberries, thornless blackberries, gooseberries, red & black currants
  7775 NW Cornelius Pass Road, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Phone: 503-645-1592. Open: Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm, closed Sunday. Directions: Close and easy to find- 1.7 miles north of Hwy 26 on Cornelius Pass Road. Our farm stand is full of fresh wholesome berries and vegetables, direct from our own fields. We grow everything we sell. U-pickers and children are welcome in the berry fields. Prepicked: tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, beans, garlic and lots more. Usually available: July-September. . Click here for a map and directions.
  West Union Gardens Facebook page. After Labor Day, call for open hoursis a family farm near Hillsboro, Oregon, which is open to the public during Oregon's bountiful berry season. We raise dozens of varieties of berries for u-pickers and for sale already picked in our farm stand. Our farmstand and u-pick will open when the first berries are ready, which could be mid-June to late June, depending on weather

 

gooseberries

Gooseberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

If you are about to pick Gooseberries either directly from a tree, or from a local orchard or market, here's what you need to know to pick the best Gooseberries.

Gooseberries are a fairly early crop, flowering soon after the last frosts in April and May, setting fruit in June, usually at the same time as strawberries in most areas (but check your area's harvest calendar and call the farm or orchard you are planning to go to a few weeks ahead).

Gooseberry picking tips

Here are tips and instructions on how to pick Gooseberries:

What type

See this page for gooseberry varieties.

When

• Timing is Key: Gooseberries are typically ready for picking in the summer, usually from June to July, depending on the variety and your location.
• Always check with the farm before you go; conditions can change dramatically from day to day.

Preparation

• Use Clean Hands: Make sure your hands are clean before you start picking to avoid transferring dirt or contaminants to the berries.
• Bring Containers: Use shallow containers, baskets, or colanders to collect the berries. This prevents them from being crushed under their own weight. .

How to Choose and Pick Gooseberries

• Look for Color and Size: Choose gooseberries that are fully ripe and have reached their full color. The color varies depending on the variety and can range from green to red or even purple.  See this page for description sof each of the varieties of gooseberries.
• Test for Ripeness: Gently squeeze the gooseberries. Ripe ones should be slightly soft to the touch but not mushy. They should give a little when pressed.
• Be Gentle with Berries: Gooseberries are delicate and can bruise easily. Handle them with care to maintain their quality.
• Avoid Underripe Berries: Leave berries that are hard and unyielding on the bush, as they are not yet ripe.
• Check the Softness: Be cautious of berries that are overly soft, as they might be overripe and prone to bruising.
• Mind the Thorns: Gooseberry bushes can have thorns, so wear gloves and long sleeves to protect your hands and arms while picking.
• Use Gentle Pressure: Hold the gooseberry gently between your thumb and forefinger, and twist it slightly to detach it from the stem.
• Harvest Clusters: Gooseberries often grow in clusters. You can pick entire clusters by gently holding the branch and detaching the whole group at once.
• Inspect for Pests: While picking, keep an eye out for any pests that might be hiding in the foliage or on the berries.
• Avoid Removing Leaves: Try to avoid pulling off leaves or damaging the bush while picking. Leaves provide energy to the plant.

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After Harvesting

• Cool: Get them into the shade as soon as possible.
• Separate Unripe and Ripe Berries: As you pick, separate underripe berries from ripe ones to ensure even ripening and better quality.
• Store Properly: After picking, gently transfer the gooseberries into shallow containers or bags. Store them in the refrigerator as soon as possible to maintain freshness.
  
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Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - Gooseberries are affected by weather (especially rain and cooler temperatures) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first! Always call before you go to the farm - Gooseberries are affected by weather (especially rain and cooler temperatures) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Leave early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for Gooseberries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
   If you use your own containers, remember that heaping Gooseberries more than 3 inches deep will smush the lower Gooseberries. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
4. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the Gooseberries until you are ready to use them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Keep them cool: Temperatures between 34 F and 38 F are best, but, be careful not to freeze Gooseberries! (Fresh Gooseberries are highly prone to freeze damage).
3. Sort again: Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting Gooseberries
4. Freeze: Gooseberries can also be frozen for longer storage.
5. Use Quickly: Gooseberries have a relatively short shelf life. Plan to use or preserve them within a few days of picking.
6. Consider Usage: Gooseberries can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, such as jams, pies, sauces, and even pickles
7. Use or freeze quickly: Even under ideal conditions Gooseberries will only keep for a week or two in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, consume or freeze them as soon as possible after purchase.
8. See my How to freeze berries page. (Unless you're going to make jam right away)
9. Now, get ready to make Gooseberries jam - It is VERY easy

Gooseberries Recipes, Canning, Jam, Jelly, and related resources

• Gooseberry jelly
• Gooseberry festivals
• Gooseberry  facts - useful, interesting and fun facts

 

 

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers