Oregon summer is the abundance of fresh fruits that can be found at local farms.
Juicy strawberries,scrumptious blueberries and sweet raspberries are just some of the produce one can find around Lane County between June and August.
The highlight of Oregon’s fruit has always been the antixotant-rich blueberry and this year is no different. Many local farms grow blueberries, which have experienced “more than 100 percent growth in less than ten years,” according to the Oregon Blueberry Commission. In fact, this year it is projected that around 40 million pounds will be harvested in Oregon or 9,000 pounds per acre.
One of the best ways to get this delicious bounty of blueberries
and other seasonal fruit is by picking it on one’s own. U-pick farms offer an alternative to the often mushy and over-priced fruits at the grocery store. While it can be a laborious task to fill-up a seemingly never-ending pail with ripe blueberries, the satisfaction that comes from having a fridge chockfull of fruit is well-worth the burn under the summer sun.
With the right information, making the most out of one’s U-pick adventure is easy. Here are some tips for picking and some farms to checkout around the Eugene area.
Always call the farm beforehand to make sure they are not “pickedout.”
A pick-it-yourself adventure is just not the same when there is
nothing left to pick. Wear comfortable shoes that can get dirty, bring sunscreen and lots of liquids to stay hydrated in the hot weather.
It’s a good idea to bring several containers for the fruit bounty and some hand wipes to banish berry stains. U-pick farms charge by the weight of what is picked and vary from farm to farm. People might be surprised at how much cheaper fruit really is compared to a grocery store.
Eden Valley Farm
77698 Mosby Creek Rd.
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
(541) 942-2216
You Pick: blueberries
Hours: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily,
depending on availability.
Herrick Farm
88088 Millican Rd.
Springfield, OR 97478
(541) 741-1046
You Pick: Raspberries, boysenberries, and marionberries
Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily.
Saginaw Vineyard/Delight Valley Farms
80247 Delight Vly School Rd.
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
(541) 942-1364
You Pick: blueberries
Hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.
Non -U-Pick (But Still Delicious) Farms :
Cupp’s Farm 1305 S 39th Street
Springfield, OR 97478
(541) 747-3218
Available Fruit: blueberries, raspberries, marionberries, and boysenberries
Hours: Call and order, farm stand.
Harwood Farms
91984 River Rd.
Junction City, OR 97448
(541) 343-8523
Available Fruit: raspberries, cherries, blackberries, boysenberries, marionberries, plums, peaches and strawberries.
Hours: Call and order, farm stand.