This article was written by Bryan M. Vance, whose newsletter is Stumptown Savings.
We live in a prime strawberry-growing region. Going to pick local strawberries yourself, you’ll support local agriculture and discover what a strawberry is supposed to be. Plus, you can often get a better deal than at your neighborhood store.
Tips:
- Mid-June is typically peak season for most strawberry varieties.
- Weekday visits often mean less crowded fields and more efficient picking.
- Many farms allow you to bring your own containers, which can sometimes earn you a small discount.
- Look under leaves where the ripest berries often hide, and focus on fully red berries — those with white tips won't ripen further once picked.
- Following local farms on social media can alert you to flash sales or end-of-season discounts.
- Some farms also offer "seconds" — slightly imperfect berries at reduced prices that are perfect for making jam or freezing.
- When in doubt, call the farm to confirm details like what’s in season, pricing, and varieties on offer.
Now here’s where to go:
You don’t even have to leave Portland city limits to pick strawberries. Instead, you can take a trip to this East Portland farm in the Wilkes neighborhood.
- Varieties: Hoods, Albions, plus others
- Additional Info: Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Known for reasonable prices and smaller crowds, making it ideal for families seeking a relaxed picking experience.
This family-run operation is known for its sustainable farming practices and minimal pesticide use, letting the natural sweetness of their berries shine through. (While pets aren’t allowed in the fields, kids are welcome to roam and explore.)
- Varieties: Puget Crimson and Mary’s Peak, plus others
- Additional Info: Picking containers provided, or bring your own. U-pick also available for peaches, sweet corn, flowers, and pumpkins.
This Sauvie Island farm is certified organic and home to a working winery. The farm is also known for its year-round calendar of family-friendly events.
- Varieties: All organic, check with the farm for specific varieties
- Additional Info: Farm-fresh food at the café, summer concerts on weekends, and more than 70 varieties of produce grown on site.
Topaz Farm (formerly Kruger’s Farm) is located on Sauvie Island and known for its festive, family-friendly atmosphere.
- Varieties: Check with the farm for specific varieties
- Additional Info: Weekend events with live music and food vendors during berry season.
Also on Sauvie Island, Columbia Farms prides itself on sustainable practices and a peaceful picking experience. The fields are less crowded than some larger farms.
- Varieties: Hood, Mary’s Peak, and Sweet Sunrise
- Additional Info: They also grow peonies, pumpkins, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and marionberries, all available for U-pick.
A fixture in the community for more than 40 years, this Beaverton farm is known for its exceptionally sweet berries and welcoming atmosphere.
- Varieties: Hood, Puget Crimson, Mary's Peak, Tillamook, and Albion
- Additional Info: Farm store features fresh pies and other farm-baked goods. The farm also has a blueberry packing facility, a wedding venue, and a bakery.
This Hillsboro farm’s commitment to sustainable practices is evident in the health of their fields and the flavor of their berries.
- Varieties: Benton, Hood, Shuksan, and more
- Additional Info: Over 20 berry varieties extend the U-pick season through September. They are also a nursery, providing berry plants, flowers, and vegetable starts.
Check out the Stumptown Savings newsletter for more tips on saving money on groceries.
📲 Your recommendations: Do you have a favorite strawberry patch we missed? Please share it with us, and we’ll share it with your fellow newsletter readers.
