Once you’ve tasted an Oregon-grown strawberry, there is no turning back. That will become the standard by which you compare all other strawberries, and I assure you, they will fall short.

Luckily those juicy ripe morsels will arrive at the Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market in early June and keep returning in different varieties throughout the summer while joined by their equally delicious family members: blackberries (July-September), blueberries (July-September), boysenberries (June-July), marionberries-first cultivated and tested in Marion County Oregon! (July), raspberries (June-September), and tayberries(mid to late summer).

To add to the berry experience, many Lake Oswegans go berry picking at one of the u-pick farms located within a short drive from town. The only thing you have to be careful of is getting carried away and bringing home more berries than you can eat. Fortunately there are recipes for cobbler, jam, and if you’ve really gone overboard, berries freeze really well too.

Here’s a roundup of some spots you might want to check out. It’s always good to check online and/or call ahead first to see what’s available.

LEE FARMS. Three generations are involved in this location which is closest to Lake Oswego and also a go-to spot for pumpkins in the fall and Christmas trees in the winter. They will have three varieties of strawberries available for u-pick: Shucksans, Sweet Sunrise, and Mary’s Peak. Call for availability: 503.638.1869 or text 503.832.6594 to hop on the texting train and be notified when the picking starts. Look for their Sunflower Festival scheduled for August. Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. 21975 SW 65^th Avenue, Tualatin.

HOFFMAN FARMS STORE. This is a six-generation operation with a rotating crop of summer berries available for u-pick: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, marionberries, boysenberries and tayberries. Be sure to hop aboard the Hoffman Farms Express ($5/person) for a scenic train ride around the berry fields before you head out. Call ahead or check their website for availability. 22242 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Beaverton. 503.628.5418.

ALBEKE FARMS. Located in Oregon City, this farm offers a wide variety of u-pick options so you may have to visit it often during the summer. Choose from strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, boysenberries, marionberries, Gravenstein apples, Macintosh apples, Melrose apples, peaches, pickles, tomatoes, beans, pumpkins and concord grapes. Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 16107 S. Wilson Road, Oregon City. 503.632.3989.

RED BERRY BARN. There is lots to entice you here in addition to the fresh fruit. The garden center offers beautiful hanging baskets and pots to take home with you and the bakery is sure to tempt you as well. Not to mention the homemade ice cream that would go perfectly with your fresh-picked berries! Throughout the season you’ll find strawberries, raspberries, marionberries, boysenberries, blueberries and blackberries. Call ahead for availability or to place an already-picked order. Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. 19200 SW Chapman Road, Sherwood. 503.925.1700.

DAVE HEIKES BERRY FARM AND FRESH MARKET. Head out to Hillsboro and you’ll find strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and boysenberries. Check their Facebook page at Dave Heikes Berry Farm for updates on availability. Hours: Call 503.628.7226. 9400 SW Heikes Drive, Hillsboro.

SMITH BERRY BARN FARM AND GARDEN MARKET. There are over 20 varieties of berries to savor from early June to early October, including the ever-popular and early Hood strawberries to the late fall raspberries. It’s no wonder that berry milkshakes are their specialty and chances are you’ll hear the blenders churning at all hours. The kids will enjoy visiting the farm animals and feeding the goats (bring some quarters!) Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. 24500 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Hillsboro. 503.628.2172.

ROWELL BROS BERRY FARM. This family farm grows two types of black berries, five varieties of blueberries, four of red raspberries as well as boysenberries and marionberries. Check their Facebook page for the latest updates as well as their website. 503.628.0431. 24100 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Hillsboro.

TOPAZ FARM.  This 130-acre family-owned working farm is an all regenerative, no spray, herbicides or pesticides farm and fills up their calendar not only with growing seasons for their wide variety of fruits and vegetables but also farm-to-plate brunches and dinners and other special events. Kids will enjoy free weekly activities including Animal Talk with Farmer Kat, Storytime with Keely and Tractor Talk with Farmer Jim. Come June you’ll find u-pick strawberries and flowers followed by raspberries, marionberries and boysenberries in July and blueberries and cucumbers in August. The list goes on so be sure to check their website. Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 17100 NW Sauvie Island Road, Portland. 503.621.3489.

COLUMBIA FARMS. You’ll find 15 types of berries to choose from on this 80 acre farm as well as pre-cut peonies if you get there early enough in the season. Call for hours and availability. 21024 NW Gillihan Road, Portland. 503.621.3909.

THE PUMPKIN PATCH. This popular spot grows 50+ difference crops including u-pick strawberries followed by raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, marionberries, peaches, tomoatoes, flowers and pumpkins. Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday from June through October. 15611 NW Gillihan Road, Portland. 503.621.3874.

SAUVIE ISLAND FARMS. The third generation of this family continues the tradition of offering a wide variety of u-pick berries, peaches, corn, flowers and pumpkins. You’ll also find cherries, pears, beans, cabbage, cucumbers, lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, flowers and herbs. Call for hours and availability: 503.621.3988. 19818 NW Sauvie Island Road, Portland.  

BELLA ORGANIC. This 100-acre certified organic farm and winery grows over 70 varieties of berries, fruits, vegetables, pumpkins, vineyard grapes, herbs, and nursery stock. It’s a popular spot so best to head out early in the day and/or check that day’s availability by calling ahead. In June look for strawberries, possibly blueberries, and early variety blackberries. Marionberries and blackberries  are ripe for picking in July and August. Everyone who enters the u-pick fields must pre-pay $5 before entering. The fee will be applied as a credit towards your berry purchase. Check their website for hours. 16205 NW Gillihan Road, Portland. 503.621.9545.

UNGER FARMS. Although not offering u-pick berries this year, Unger Farms is available at many of the local farmers’ markets (unfortunately not Lake Oswego) as well as New Seasons. They offer four different June bearing strawberries—Albion, Hoods, Mary’s Peak and Sweet Sunrise—followed by blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. There is a self-serve farm stand at their location as well at 34180 SW Unger Rd. in Cornelius. Check their Facebook page for the latest updates. Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Find a complete list of farms here.

LAKE OSWEGO FARMERS’ MARKET. If you’re more of a “bring the fruit to me” type of person, then head to the Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market every Saturday. You can find berries at many of the booths including Alderman Family Farms, Crawford’s Produce, Fuji Farms, Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Liepold Farms, Parson Farm and Riverland Family Farm. Saturdays through October 5th. 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Millennium Plaza Park.

SILVERTON HILLS STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL. Craving some strawberry shortcake? Then take Dad on a road trip down to Silverton for their annual strawberry festival on Sunday, June 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Coolidge Park, 300 Coolidge Street in Silverton. Prices are $8 or 2 for $15. Dessert is free for kids 2 and under and those 80 and over.

U-pick summer berries are just one of the many reasons to love Lake Oswego. Subscribe to my blog by clicking the “sign me up button in the top right-hand column and discover many more reasons to move to Lake Oswego. We are Realtors here and would love to help you with your next move, whether it’s in, around or out of Lake Oswego. Give us a call or shoot us an email and let’s get to know how we can help.

Kevin Costello kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com 503.939.9801

Riley Costello riley.costello@cascadehassonsir.com 971.322.6205