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. These crops end up at places such at Marlenes Market and Deli, Central Co-op Tacoma and Seattle, PCC Community Markets and other places around Washington. 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.
2020 is the first season we have implemented this minimum. 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. This year, 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 masks, gloves, sanitizers, 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. 2)With Covid-19 closing so much down, we need to make sure we are able to keep ample space in the fields. Instead of having people make appointments, our hope is the $12 minimum will help keep numbers manageable. 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 is the best time to come to get a lot of berries really fast?
Blueberries are a small and picking does take time no matter when you come. There are times when more berries are ripe and the picking is easy. In 2020, the best time to pick is predicted to be the first and second week of August. We have ripe berries from the second week of July until the end of August. The exact last day of picking for 2020 has not yet been determined.
When does U-pick Blueberry season open?
We will open Wednesday July 15th, 2020 at 10:00am.
How are you keeping the U-pick safe from Covid-19?
We will ensure everyone washes their hands prior to picking and before they leave the farm. We encourage physical distancing and will limit the number of people if it gets too crowded. We are sanitizing the u-pick buckets and all other touch points rigorously and frequently. We require that folks wear a mask when interacting with our staff, anywhere around the barn including inside the restroom.
What are the hours for U-pick?
We are open Wednesday through Sunday 10:00-5:00. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
How much does it cost?
$3 per pound. There is a minimum purchase of $12.00
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. These crops end up at places such at Marlenes Market and Deli, Central Co-op Tacoma and Seattle, PCC Community Markets and other places around Washington. 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.
2020 is the first season we have implemented this minimum. 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. This year, 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 masks, gloves, sanitizers, 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. 2)With Covid-19 closing so much down, we need to make sure we are able to keep ample space in the fields. Instead of having people make appointments, our hope is the $12 minimum will help keep numbers manageable. 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 is the best time to come to get a lot of berries really fast?
Blueberries are a small and picking does take time no matter when you come. There are times when more berries are ripe and the picking is easy. In 2020, the best time to pick is predicted to be the first and second week of August. We have ripe berries from the second week of July until the end of August. The exact last day of picking for 2020 has not yet been determined.
When does U-pick Blueberry season open?
We will open Wednesday July 15th, 2020 at 10:00am.
How are you keeping the U-pick safe from Covid-19?
We will ensure everyone washes their hands prior to picking and before they leave the farm. We encourage physical distancing and will limit the number of people if it gets too crowded. We are sanitizing the u-pick buckets and all other touch points rigorously and frequently. We require that folks wear a mask when interacting with our staff, anywhere around the barn including inside the restroom.
What are the hours for U-pick?
We are open Wednesday through Sunday 10:00-5:00. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
How much does it cost?
$3 per pound. There is a minimum purchase of $12.00
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