JOURNAL

It is truly summer once fruit picking starts. Nobody looks forward to this time of year more than the pickers at Fruit Lady Farm. U-pick reports are preparation for our summer weekends. ❤️

We consume fruit all year long. Picking season is when we visit farms and enjoy all they offer. This journal chronicles that experience. Follow our adventure on the fruit trail! 🍓 🫐 🍒 🍇 🍑 🍐 🍎 🍉 🍅

August 3, 2024

Albeke Farms
Oregon City, OR (17mi E of Tualatin)

Story: We tried a new direction for peaches on this occasion. The peaches were delicious!

Notes: (for next time)
📍 Convenient for east Portland.

Fruit Picked: Peaches
Experience: 😋😋😋
Fruit Usage: Snacking & Drying

July 27, 2024

Bells Orchard
Beaverton, OR (9mi SE of Hillsboro)

Story: The Red Haven variety was ready and plentiful. We selectively filled three large boxes before a promised stop at the playground.

Notes: (for next time)
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Playground & wagons for children.

Fruit Picked: Peaches
Experience: 😋😋😋😋😋
Fruit Usage: Pies & Drying

July 20, 2024

Duyck's Peachy Pig Farm
Cornelius, OR (6mi SW of Hillsboro)

Story: We intended to pick a variety of fruits this day, so we were pleased to find blueberries and blackberries on a single row! After fulfilling our needs there, we revisited the 🍒 cherries one more time.

Notes: (for next time)
😋 Come back for plums & peaches

Fruit Picked: 🍒, 🫐, Blackberries
Experience: 😋😋😋😋😋
Fruit Usage: Snacking & Drying

July 16, 2024

West Union Gardens
Hillsboro, OR (10mi NE of Hillsboro)

Story: We spent this special, mid-week vacation day picking Columbia Giant Blackberries and a few yellow raspberries. The huge blackberries quickly filled our buckets. It was a short but productive experience.

Notes: (for next time)
📍 Location is near city conveniences.

Fruit Picked: Caneberries
Experience: 😋😋😋😋😋
Fruit Usage: Snacking & Freezing

July 6, 2024

Morning Shade Farm
Canby, OR (10mi NE of Woodburn)

Story: We arrived before the heat of the day for 🫐 blueberries. After picking more than enough, we enjoyed popsicles on the shaded porch while admiring the blooming flowers.

Notes: (for next time)
🚽 Indoor restrooms by the porch
💧 Water fountain on the porch

Fruit Picked: Blueberries
Experience: 🫐🫐🫐🫐🫐
Fruit Usage: Snacking & Freezing

June 29, 2024

Miller Farm Cherries
Dundee, OR (11mi NE of McMinnville)

Story: We became aware of these 🍒 cherries on the previous day, and our aim was filling the freezer for winter on this stop. The medium sized trees were loaded, and the provided stools made the fruit easily accessible.

Notes: (for next time)
💰 Extremely affordable picking.

Fruit Picked: Cherries
Experience: 🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒
Fruit Usage: Pie & Freezing

June 28, 2024

Hoffman Farms Store
Beaverton, OR (12mi NW of Tualatin)

Story: Friday night music on the farm allowed for evening picking of blueberries and blackberries. Both were loaded, so we didn't have any space in our buckets to checkout the other options. We spent the extra time on the play equipment and a train ride.

Notes: (for next time)
💰 Same per lb price for all berries.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Use small buckets as decoys for kids.

Fruit Picked: 🫐 & Blackberries
Experience: 😋😋😋😋😋
Fruit Usage: Snacking & Freezing

June 22, 2024

Starr Farm
Hillsboro, OR (7mi SE of Tualatin)

Story: We arrived with a limited stomach for picking pie cherries. The provided ladders helped us leave with just the right amount for our needs. We purchased a few veggies from the stand and enjoyed a complimetary cup of lemonade before departure.

Notes: (for next time)
💰 Cash or Check only.
🚗 Drive past residences to stand.

Fruit Picked: Pie Cherries
Experience: 🍒🍒🍒
Fruit Usage: Pie Filling

Duyck's Peachy Pig Farm
Cornelius, OR (6mi SW of Hillsboro)

Story: Baby ducks were first to welcome us onto the property. Later, we ducked under the loaded limbs of medium-sized 🍒 trees. We picked 8lbs of several varieties without use of a ladder. On exit, we all shared a few laughs while feeding the goats.

Notes: (for next time)
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Play equipment for children.
🚜 Lots of rustic farm equipment.

Fruit Picked: Cherries
Experience: 🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒
Fruit Usage: Snacking & Freezing

June 20, 2024

Rowell Bros. Berry Farm
Hillsboro, OR (11mi NW of Tualatin)

Story: It seemed a little early for blueberries. They were actually plentiful, but it was necessary to pay attention to the ripeness. Regardless, the 🫐 quickly filled a gallon bucket leaving only enough space for a few layers of raspberries.

Notes: (for next time)
💰 Prepaid container sizes for any berry.
💰 Cash or Check only.

Fruit Picked: 🫐 & Raspberries
Experience: 🫐🫐🫐🫐
Fruit Usage: Snacking

Smith Berry Barn
Hillsboro, OR (11mi W of Tualatin)

Story: The strawberry field was waiting after a leisurely lunch across the street. It was late in the season so expecations were low. The required effort was high, but there were plenty of small, delicious ones available. The heat didn't allow picking many, but it was good exercise.

Notes: (for next time)
☕️ Try breakfast at the cafe across the street.

Fruit Picked: Strawberries
Experience: 🍓🍓🍓
Fruit Usage: Snacking

June 14, 2024

Hoffman Farms Store
Beaverton, OR (12mi NW of Tualatin)

Story: Tayberries arrived for Father's Day weekend, and there were more of them than anything else. The number of rows was quite impressive. Picking required close attention to diffentiate the color of the ripest berries.

Notes: (for next time)
💰 Same per lb price for all berries.

Fruit Picked: Tayberries
Experience: 😋😋😋😋
Fruit Usage: Yogurt & Berries

Red Berry Barn
Sherwood, OR (7mi SW of Tualatin)

Story: This 🍓 field was very natural and uncrowded. It was unusual but delightful to divide the tall growth and unveil beautiful strawberries. Three varieties were available and ours were undeniably delicious.

Notes: (for next time)
💰 Prepay by container size

Fruit Picked: Strawberries
Experience: 🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓
Fruit Usage: Crisp, Snacking

June 8, 2024

Grandpa's Fresh Market
Albany, OR (9mi E of Albany)

Story: Arrived at the field early for first dibs on the hoods. The berries were dripping and the conditions were perfect. The aim was enough 🍓 berries for a dozen jars of jam to last until next year. An hour later, we were done despite our pint sized helpers. All but three pints of twelve pounds picked went towards the jam.

Notes: (for next time)
🚗 Drive to field

Fruit Picked: Strawberries
Experience: 🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓
Fruit Usage: Jam, Snacking

June 2, 2024

The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island
Sauvie Island, OR (13mi NW of Portland)

Story: Most of the crew was missing this weekend, but a couple of farm visits were necessary to stock up on 🍓 strawberries for the week. It was raining steadily but the Ruby June variety was worth it. The small container size was the only limiting factor.

Notes: (for next time)
💰 Two sizes of containers

Fruit Picked: Strawberries
Experience: 🍓🍓🍓🍓
Fruit Usage: Snacking

Columbia Farms U-Pick
Sauvie Island, OR (16mi NW of Portland)

Story: Two varieties of 🍓 were picked at this nearby farm even though the rain persisted. The picking was split between Hood and Sweet Sunrise varieties. Both required more attention than the last farm to find ripe berries but it was worth it!

Notes: (for next time)
💰 Charged by pint

Fruit Picked: Strawberries
Experience: 🍓🍓🍓🍓
Fruit Usage: Snacking

May 27, 2024

26 West Farms
Banks, OR (9mi NW of Hillsboro)

Story: Our first outing of Memorial Day was to a farm that just didn't work out last year. We were careful not to miss the turn off of highway 26 this time. The elevation of the farm over the highway gave a magnificient view of both the coastal ranges and Mt Hood. It was a well manicured property with u-pick flowers and a lawn for relaxing. Our little helpers weren't up for the challenge today but our friends filled their half flat to the brim with Hoods. We paused to enjoy the scenery and shaved ice before heading to a bbq.

Notes: (for next time)
💰 Half flat minimum (pile it high!)

Fruit Picked: Strawberries
Experience: 🍓🍓🍓🍓
Fruit Usage: Snacking

May 25, 2024

Boones Ferry Berry Farm
Hubbard, OR (5mi N of Woodburn)

Story: Woodburn had three choices for u-pick this weekend. We returned to a favorite from last year. The Sweet Anne variety of strawberry was plentiful and huge! It was a little early in the season. The 🍓 were ripening but still clinging to the stem. Regardless, we selectively picked eight pounds before grabbing a bite to eat in the deli followed by ice cream. Win!

Notes: (for next time)
🥧 Purchased mixed berry pie (in the freezer)

Fruit Picked: Strawberries
Experience: 🍓🍓🍓🍓
Fruit Usage: Snacking, Crisp

These recollections are subjective and based on encountered conditions. The stories are intended to entertain and preserve memories. With so many farms to choose, there are undoubtedly similar options for any given outing. We'd love to hear your thoughts!