2024 Whatcom County, Washington State Strawberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Whatcom County, Washington State in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for strawberries that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have strawberries 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.

Whatcom County

• Barbie's Berries - strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries
  7655 Melody Ln, Ferndale, WA . Phone: (360) 384-1260. Open: daily 9 am to 6 pm; Call ahead for fruit availability and orders; The season typically begins early to mid June with strawberries. Click here for a map and directions.
  Barbie's Berries Facebook page. . In July, you can pick all 3 fruits. . Farm Stand; U-Pick; Restaurants & Retailers; Phone Orders. Our family-owned and operated business welcomes your whole family to enjoy a harvest of luscious fruit in a picnic-like setting. Visit our picturesque mini-farm offering U-pick/We-pick . Strawberry harvest starts in June and runs through mid July, Late harvest starts end of July/beginning of August and runs through to labor day weekend. Raspberry harvest starts late June, and runs through late July. Late bearing raspberry begins the beginning of August and runs through Labor-day weekend. Blueberry harvest starts mid July and runs through Labor-day weekend. Blackberry harvest starts mid July and runs through Labor-day weekend. Facebook page.
• Bellingham Country Gardens - Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, U-pick vegetables, flowers, raspberries, strawberries
  2838 Kelly Road, Bellingham, WA . Phone: (360) 223-3724. Email: grubbssm@msn.com. Open: Sat and Wed from 9 am to 6 pm. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Visa & Mastercard accepted.
  Bellingham Country Gardens Facebook page. . Phone: (360) 592-5987. . Farm Stand; CSA; U-Pick Our family farm also offers freshly harvested vegetables, flowers and strawberries. All of your vegetable needs are here: salad greens, tomatoes, carrots, peas, beans, beets, onions, peppers, leeks, bok choy, and more. Corn is a delight for summer and fall meals. Visit the pumpkin patch for Halloween. Our family farm offers fresh U-Pick VEGETABLES, FLOWERS and everbearing STRAWBERRIES (ever-bearing strawberries available June, early July, August and September), all NO SPRAY chemical free. All of your vegetable needs are here: salad greens, tomatoes, carrots, corn, peas, beans, beets, onions, peppers, raspberries and more. Bring out the kids and grandmas and grandpas too!Come enjoy the nature of our farm. Check Facebook page for updates!
• Boxx Berry Farm - blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, flowers, pumpkins
  6300 Northwest Road, Ferndale, WA 98248. Phone: (360) 380-2699. Email: boxx@boxxberryfarm.com. Open: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm; Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions.
  Boxx Berry Farm Facebook page. . See this page for our crop availability / harvest dates. Typical starting harvest dates are Strawberries June 1; Carrots June 20; Potatoes June 30; Apricots July 15; Flowers June 5; Onions July 15; Raspberries June 30; Blackberries June 30; Nectarines July 20; Peaches July 20; Garlic July 15; Cherries June 15; Blueberries July 5; Green beans July 20; Corn August 15; Cucumbers July 20; Dill July 20. is a family owned and operated fresh market berry farm with strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, plus vegetables. A great place to bring your family for upick berries & flowers, a slice of pie!
  Comments from a visitor on June 28, 2012: "They are not organic or no-spray. just thought the listing should be changed. They do have great berried, just not organic or no spray. thanks! "
  Comments from a visitor on July 25, 2008: "Tidy and neat Helpful"
• Garden Treasures Nursery & Organic Farm - ORGANIC, strawberries, and raspberries
  3328 State Rte 530, Arlington, WA . Phone: (360) 435-9272. Email: gardentreasurescsa@gmail.com. Open: to the public daily 9-6 April-October. Click here for a map and directions.
  Garden Treasures Nursery & Organic Farm Facebook page. . Farm Stand; CSA; Farmers Market; Website Orders. Our unique farm is a treasure of the Stillaguamish River Valley. We offer 100+ varieties of vegetables, strawberries, and raspberries. Our extended season techniques offer excellent off-season production. Easy self-guided 8 acre farm tour, U-pick, CSA, farm stand and local farmer natural food store. CERTIFIED ORGANIC, Certified Salmon Safe, Slow Food. Garden Treasures offers U-Pick produce from February - December. Our unique field provides a leisurely walk in any weather conditions. We also have a few greenhouses to pick your very own heirloom tomato, specialty cucumber, fresh basil, or winter mix greens. We have free harvest boxes and excellent tools to do any type of harvesting. Guided tours for school field trips and other groups available by appointment. We believe in farm fresh, healthy local foods. We believe in natural, regenerative, and sustainable growing practices and nutrition from healthy soil. Garden Treasures Nursery and Organic Farm Facebook page. Our farm store is also stocked with certified organic products from local growers, and the Organically Grown Cooperative in Kent WA.
• Home Farm UPick and Events LLC - Strawberries, Blueberries, Cherries, Apples, Pears, Plums, Red raspberries, Yellow Raspberries, Red Currants, Black Currants, plus already picked vegetables and fruit
  8020 Kickerville Rd, Blaine, WA 98230. Phone: (360) 566-2181. Email: hello@homefarm.farm. Open: Year round farm stand 7 days a week, 8am-7pm; U-pick starts in June . Directions: See their website for directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard . . . Bee Camp for kids During the growing season a large variety of berries and vegetablescan be purchased daily at our Self-Serve Farmstand. OUR SELF-SERVE FARM STAND is Open Year-Round, 7 Days a Week from 8am - 7pm Daily. Our Farm Stand operates on the Honor System and your honesty and support are what keep us open. All items are priced in whole dollars so coin is not necessary. All applicable taxes are included in sale prices. We are not available to make change so small bills are recommended. WE ACCEPT U.S. CASH, LOCAL CHECKS & VENMOOur farm stand is locked during non-business hours Approximate, typical harvest dates: Red & Black Currants in June through JulyRed & Yellow Raspberries in June through OctoberStrawberries in June through SeptemberBlueberries in July through SeptemberCherries in June through JulyApples in August through OctoberPears in August through OctoberPlums in September through OctoberVegetables from June through November Zucchini . Green Beans . Snap Peas . CarrotsLettuce . Cucumbers . Dill . Broccoli . Spinach . Garlic Melons . Tomatoes . Fresh Herbs . Squash . Turnips . OnionsBeets . Leeks . Asparagus . Potatoes . Sweet Corn . Pumpkins​Sunflowers and Zinnias in July through October. (ADDED: April 20, 2020, Suggested by a visitor)
• Kamm Creek Farm - Uses natural growing practices, blueberries, red currants, black currants, red raspberries, yellow raspberries, strawberries, blackberries
  850 Hampton Road, Lynden, WA 98264. Phone: 360-433-7616. Email: kammcreekfarm@gmail.com. Open: Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 9 am to 3 pm; Open other dates depending on whether and crop availability. Directions: We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Payment: Cash, Check. Click here for our Facebook page. U-Pick Prices in 2020 were: Raspberry and Blackberry U-Pick: $2.50/pound, Blueberry and Currant U-Pick: $1.50/pound, We-Pick: -Fresh and Frozen We-Pick = $4.00/pound. Order pre-picked by calling or texting Hank at 360-815-4360 or email.
  Seasonal Updates: No raspberry U-pick in 2023. (UPDATED: July 12, 2023, JBS) (ADDED: June 18, 2015)
• Shumway's Berries - strawberries,
  6010 Siper Rd, Everson, WA 98247. Phone: (360) 354-5981. Open: dawn-dusk daily. Directions: Located 10 miles from I-5 off the Sunset Exit that turns into Mt. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: cash, check, Venmo or PayPal.
  Shumway's Berries Facebook page. . Phone: (360) 815-7321. Facebook page. . Baker Hwy. Upon leaving the Nooksack River bridge, enter the round-about and go left out of it and onto Hwy 9 going North towards Everson. After one mile through some curves, go right over the railroad tracks, U-Pick is on the right. (Across from grain mill). U-Pick happens at three different locations in Everson and Lynden. To reduce the costs to our customers, we sell our berries in less packaging and feature self-serve stations at our U-Picks. Thank you for your honesty! Farmers Market; Farm Stand; Phone Orders. Stop by our Mt Baker Hwy stand for our fresh, hand-selected, top-crop sun-ripened in the micro-climate of Nugents Corner. Shumway berries are unique, bulbous, juicy and delicious. Berries are available for daily U-Pick in our Deming/Everson locations. Blueberries and some raspberries are available for U-Pick at our Lynden location. To honor environmental concerns and convenience, we sell our berries in less packaging and feature self-serve stations at our U-Picks. You may pick in our buckets, but may bring your own containers for transport to home, though we do provide boxes.
• Spring Frog Farm - Holistic Homestead - Holistic Homestead - strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins
  412 Robinson Street, PO Box 125, Everson, WA . Phone: (360) 966-4939. Email: springfrogfarm@gmail.com. Open: U-Pick Hours, Sundays 1pm-6pm during production season; Appointments Only! Please call for an appointment and other inquiries. Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: (360) 303-3711. . Farmers Market; CSA; Restaurants & Retailers; U-Pick. Experience vitality through open-pollinated and heirloom varieties of tomatoes, peppers, salad greens, strawberries and more. Strawberry season begins in June until mid-July and again from mid-August until the end of September. The everbearing Strawberries produce for approximately six weeks and start up again mid-August. The second round also produces for 6-8 weeks. Drop-in's are not acceptable as space will be limited to approximately 5 families each Sunday. Spring Frog offers U-pick veggies throughout the season! Please view individual webpages for produce. Times and Dates are updated for each item in season.

 

Strawberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S. strawberries typically peak during April in Florida and Texas, May in the deep South, and in early June in middle sections and later June in the far North and Canada. Keep in mind that crops are ready at various times of the month depending on which part of the state you are located. In order to produce good local strawberries, producers depend on ideal spring weather conditions. 

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - strawberries are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) 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 strawberries, 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 strawberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries. 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.

Tips on How to Pick Strawberries

1. Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.

2. With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.

3. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. 

4. Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.

5. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down.

General Picking Tips

Whether you pick strawberries from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Be careful that your feet and knees do not damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
   
2. Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
   
3. To help the farmers, also remove from the plants berries showing rot, sunburn, insect injury or other defects and place them between the rows behind you. If they are left in the plants, the rot will quickly spread to other berries.
   
4. Berries to be used immediately may be picked any time, but if you plan to hold the fruit for a few days, try to pick in the early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the day become soft, are easily bruised and will not keep well.
   
5. Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunshine any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking. Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor and tends to shrivel.
   
6. For interesting and fun strawberry facts and trivia from the California Strawberry Commission, click here!

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
3. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the caps (green tops) off the others and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) See this page about how to freeze strawberries.
4. If you like the strawberries you picked, ask the farm what variety they planted, and not the weather conditions the week or two before. The flavor of a strawberry is affected by the variety, the weather and the degree of ripeness when picked.
5. Now, get ready to make strawberry jam. It is VERY easy - especially with our free strawberry jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy.

Strawberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Strawberries

• How to freeze strawberries!
• Strawberry jam (with pectin) (uses less sugar or honey and less cooking)
• Strawberry jam (without pectin) (requires much more sugar and cooking)
• Strawberry (and other berry) jams without sugar
• Strawberry jelly
• Strawberry-rhubarb jam!
• Homemade strawberry ice cream (regular, low fat, nonfat, low sugar, vanilla and even gelato)
• Canning strawberries
• Make gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries
• How to make fruit juice -  strawberry and other berries
• Strawberry pie filling
• Strawberry pie
• Easy Rhubarb-Strawberry pie
• Fig-strawberry jam
• Fig-strawberry jam, made with Jello gelatin

Strawberry Facts, Measurements and Tips

• Picking the best strawberries: Select firm, fully red berries. Strawberries DO NOT continue ripen after they are picked! In the photo, only the berry on the far right is completely ripe.
• Strawberry festivals: Most areas that grow strawberries have a strawberry festival, at which you can taste all kinds of fresh strawberry foods, pies, jams, cakes - and most commonly, fresh strawberry shortcake.  To find out where and when there is one near you, see this page for a list of strawberry festivals, sorted by state!
• Strawberries measurements: government agriculture websites tell us that
  1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups and is about the same as 1 liter and
  1 quart of fresh strawberries weighs 1 lbs to 1.25 lbs (or 450 to 600 g). Of course, the weight varies on variety and weather conditions. 
  1 quart is normally enough for 4 servings, although I'll admit my son can eat 1 pint by himself!
• How much to pick? In general, 1 quart of fresh, whole, just-picked strawberries = approximately 3.5 cups hulled, whole berries. In other words, removing the caps/hulls and the occasional mushy berry means you lose 1/4 cup to 1/2 (it depends how much fruit you remove with the hull) or about 7 to 12% of every quart you pick.
• One cup of strawberries contains only about 50 calories
• U-pick strawberries are much healthier than store-bought.  Consumer reports says store bought strawberries have so many pesticide and fungicide residues on they, that they don't recommend you eat them at all!
• U-pick strawberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. 1 lbs of fresh strawberries is about 2/3 of a quart.
• It takes about  10 to 15 minutes to pick a quart, if the berries are reasonably plentiful
• The strawberry plant adapts to wide variety of soil conditions, but does not tolerate drought well, and the berries quickly rot if the weather is rainy. For this reason, the plants are usually grown on raised beds through plastic mulch!
• Cultivation of strawberries began in Europe in the 1300's, but the berry only became very popular in the early 1900's in California.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as strawberries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
• You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible.  Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.
• Want to grow your own strawberries?  Here's an article about how to: Strawberries are an Excellent Fruit for the Home Garden, HYG-1424-98!
• See this page for many more fun and interesting strawberry facts, nutritional information and trivia

Other weird strawberry facts

• Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
• Strawberries were originally called strewberries because the fruit was 'strewn' amongst the leaves of the plant.
• California is king of strawberry productions because: California produces 75 percent of the nation's strawberry crops; one billion pounds of strawberries each year.  If all the strawberries produced in California in one year were laid berry to berry, they would go around the world 15 times. Each acre of land in California in strawberry production produces an average of 21 tons of strawberries annually, with a total of 23,000 acres of strawberries planted in California each year.

More conversions

1 pint (2 cups)  of fresh whole strawberries

• = about 8 oz (1/2 lb) of strawberries
• = 2.25 cups of sliced strawberries
• = 1 cup pureed strawberries
• = 12-14 large strawberries

2 quarts of fresh strawberries are needed for a 9" pie

A 10 oz package of frozen berries is about the same as 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries

References:

• University of Illinois Extension
• Driscolls
• Ohio State University Extension
• Strawberries-Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent

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