U-Pick Blueberries FAQ
What should I expect to see at Four Elements Farm?
Four Elements Farm is open to the public during blueberry season but operates year round. Apart from our 6 acres of u-pick blueberries, we grow 25+ acres of vegetables for the wholesale market. We are a working farm and it shows! On your way to the berry fields you will see equipment and supplies for farming. Most of it isn't shiny and new, but it gets the job done. Our harvest vehicles and crew come and go from the veggie fields harvesting, washing and packing organic goodies for the Seattle/Tacoma area. You will see piles of wood from arborist work we do in the winter time. Farmers wear many hats!
What are the picking fields like?
The blueberries were planted during WWII. After the original farm family moved on about 10 years ago, the berries we not managed. The blackberries and underbrush quickly took over. Four Elements began farming here in 2016. Those blackberries had almost completely taken over the entirety of the blueberries in those 6 years. We have literally spent thousands of hours trying to save these heirloom berries. We constantly fight brambles and flooding cause by beaver dams. We use no sprays or products what so ever to control blackberry and brush growth. As a result you will encounter the occasional rogue sticker bush and there are plenty of ferns and grasses underfoot. We chip up the wood from our winter arborist work to mulch the fields. Sometimes, there are rogue logs or limbs from this. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND CLOSED TOED SHOES. LONG PANTS AREN'T A BAD IDEA EITHER. About half of he original berry bushes have grown so tall that a ladder would be needed to pick those. Instead of trying to get these under control for human consumption, we purposely keep these tall to let the birds have a buffet feast. It's our favorite natural feature of the farm. The birds are happy and they stay out of the shorter u-pick bushes.
Why do you charge a minimum of $12? That seems greedy, especially if I'm picking with small children or it's difficult for me to get the 4 pounds that would equal $12.
Through the years we notice many groups like to come out for the outdoor experience. Berries are an added bonus. We have always enjoyed this and encourage it. We needed to instate a minimum charge for two reasons. 1) Increased cost of doing business. We need to pay our employees more as a result of increased wage minimums. The cost of doing business during Covid-19 is an increase as well. We are spending more on things like hand washing stations and bathroom units. All costs have gone up. We need the u-pick to break even in order to keep maintaining the bushes and paying the seasonal u-pick employees who check you in and out. We cannot emphasize enough that we are not making any profit from the blueberries with or without the $12 minimum. This is a charge per group, not per person. We think $12 is a fair price for a group outing. Our goal is to break even and keep offering the berries year after year. However, the birds will be happy if we decide to give it up. It's a win either way.
When does U-pick Blueberry season open?
We cannot predict the exact day, but it will be mid-July. Sign up to receive email updates, or check back here or on social media.
How do I sign up for the $50 deal you've offered in the past?
We will not be offering the $50 deal this year. We had so many U-pickers in 2020 that many folks with the $50 deal weren't able to get their share. As a result we are pausing this deal for 2021.
.What are the hours for U-pick?
2021 hours are yet to be determined.
How much does it cost?
$3 per pound. There is a minimum purchase of $12.00. The $12.00 is a one time fee. If a group would like to come pick more than once, just let us know and we'll waive the free on your subsequent 2021 visit.
Are your blueberries organic?
Yes! Our farm is certified organic and we never spray any chemicals on our blueberries.
What varieties do you grow?
Our U-Pick blueberry plants are mostly Concord and Jersey, but we also have some Dixie, Stanley and Weymouth.
Do you sell pre-picked blueberries?
We do have a limited amount of pre-picked berries from time to time.
Should I bring my own containers?
Please bring your own containers if you have them. We do have buckets available for your use if you need one.
Can I bring my children?
Yes! This is a great activity for kids of all ages. Please note that the berry bushes are a good distance from our store, so you may want to drive out to the bushes after check-in if you have small children.
Can I bring my dog?
No, please leave your pets at home. This is a working farm and food safety rules prevent us from allowing dogs on the premises. There is no shade available in the parking areas, and it is unsafe to leave your dog in the car while you pick.
What should I wear?
We recommend wearing attire that is appropriate for a farm, including close-toed shoes. Long pants are a good idea too.
Do you have any other U-pick items available?
Not this year.
Four Elements Farm is open to the public during blueberry season but operates year round. Apart from our 6 acres of u-pick blueberries, we grow 25+ acres of vegetables for the wholesale market. We are a working farm and it shows! On your way to the berry fields you will see equipment and supplies for farming. Most of it isn't shiny and new, but it gets the job done. Our harvest vehicles and crew come and go from the veggie fields harvesting, washing and packing organic goodies for the Seattle/Tacoma area. You will see piles of wood from arborist work we do in the winter time. Farmers wear many hats!
What are the picking fields like?
The blueberries were planted during WWII. After the original farm family moved on about 10 years ago, the berries we not managed. The blackberries and underbrush quickly took over. Four Elements began farming here in 2016. Those blackberries had almost completely taken over the entirety of the blueberries in those 6 years. We have literally spent thousands of hours trying to save these heirloom berries. We constantly fight brambles and flooding cause by beaver dams. We use no sprays or products what so ever to control blackberry and brush growth. As a result you will encounter the occasional rogue sticker bush and there are plenty of ferns and grasses underfoot. We chip up the wood from our winter arborist work to mulch the fields. Sometimes, there are rogue logs or limbs from this. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND CLOSED TOED SHOES. LONG PANTS AREN'T A BAD IDEA EITHER. About half of he original berry bushes have grown so tall that a ladder would be needed to pick those. Instead of trying to get these under control for human consumption, we purposely keep these tall to let the birds have a buffet feast. It's our favorite natural feature of the farm. The birds are happy and they stay out of the shorter u-pick bushes.
Why do you charge a minimum of $12? That seems greedy, especially if I'm picking with small children or it's difficult for me to get the 4 pounds that would equal $12.
Through the years we notice many groups like to come out for the outdoor experience. Berries are an added bonus. We have always enjoyed this and encourage it. We needed to instate a minimum charge for two reasons. 1) Increased cost of doing business. We need to pay our employees more as a result of increased wage minimums. The cost of doing business during Covid-19 is an increase as well. We are spending more on things like hand washing stations and bathroom units. All costs have gone up. We need the u-pick to break even in order to keep maintaining the bushes and paying the seasonal u-pick employees who check you in and out. We cannot emphasize enough that we are not making any profit from the blueberries with or without the $12 minimum. This is a charge per group, not per person. We think $12 is a fair price for a group outing. Our goal is to break even and keep offering the berries year after year. However, the birds will be happy if we decide to give it up. It's a win either way.
When does U-pick Blueberry season open?
We cannot predict the exact day, but it will be mid-July. Sign up to receive email updates, or check back here or on social media.
How do I sign up for the $50 deal you've offered in the past?
We will not be offering the $50 deal this year. We had so many U-pickers in 2020 that many folks with the $50 deal weren't able to get their share. As a result we are pausing this deal for 2021.
.What are the hours for U-pick?
2021 hours are yet to be determined.
How much does it cost?
$3 per pound. There is a minimum purchase of $12.00. The $12.00 is a one time fee. If a group would like to come pick more than once, just let us know and we'll waive the free on your subsequent 2021 visit.
Are your blueberries organic?
Yes! Our farm is certified organic and we never spray any chemicals on our blueberries.
What varieties do you grow?
Our U-Pick blueberry plants are mostly Concord and Jersey, but we also have some Dixie, Stanley and Weymouth.
Do you sell pre-picked blueberries?
We do have a limited amount of pre-picked berries from time to time.
Should I bring my own containers?
Please bring your own containers if you have them. We do have buckets available for your use if you need one.
Can I bring my children?
Yes! This is a great activity for kids of all ages. Please note that the berry bushes are a good distance from our store, so you may want to drive out to the bushes after check-in if you have small children.
Can I bring my dog?
No, please leave your pets at home. This is a working farm and food safety rules prevent us from allowing dogs on the premises. There is no shade available in the parking areas, and it is unsafe to leave your dog in the car while you pick.
What should I wear?
We recommend wearing attire that is appropriate for a farm, including close-toed shoes. Long pants are a good idea too.
Do you have any other U-pick items available?
Not this year.
Photo by Emily Matthiessen