6 U-Picks in Greater Vancouver

Bring the family and take your pick of B.C.’s best berries

Berry season is upon us, and there’s nothing that tastes more like summer than a pail of freshly picked berries. Lucky for us, Vancouver is full of farms that offer U-picking so you can select your own berries fresh off the field. Click through for six U-pick farms in the Greater Vancouver area that offer picking plus more.

Emma Lea Farms

Emma Lea Farms boasts a long family history of farming, and has been offering U-pick opportunities to locals for over three decades. Strawberries can be picked June 14th – July 10th, blueberries can be picked until late August, and raspberries are ready through July. Not only does Emma Lea offer the standard selection of berries, but it also grows blackberries, boysenberries and, a specialty raspberry/blackberry hybrid, tayberries.

Once you’re all picked out, head to Emma’s Ice Cream Stand to cool down with milkshakes, sundaes and smoothies topped off with – you guessed it – berries! New this year, Emma’s also offer lunch specials on weekends.

Where: 2727 Westham Island Road, Ladner B.C.
When: Daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Phone: 604.946.8216

Krause Berry Farms

The Krause family is committed to the entire growing process – from field to market. From 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Sundays, Krause Berry Farms is open and ready for picking. Depending on the season, customers have their choice of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.

Once you’re done picking, spoil yourself at the market and bakery with freshly made treats like berry breads, shortcakes, pies, trifles and more. Don’t forget to visit the Farm Fudgery for some sweet farm-made fudge that’s also a perfect gift idea. There’s even a fun play area for the kids to have a good time, too.

On top of all these berryful pleasures, there’s also the Krause Berry Farms Estate Winery offering berry wines.

Where: 6179 248th Street, Langley B.C.
When: Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (U-Pick fields close half an hour before closing time)
Phone: 604.856.5757

Driediger Farms Market

Bring extra containers – ice cream buckets with handles, preferably – because in addition to all the regular berries, Driediger Farms Market also grows red currants, and cherries that are available for picking everyday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Farming and growing berries since the 1960s, the Driediger Farms Market is definitely no beginner when it comes to jam and jelly making. Their website offers excellent advice on how to make these homemade delicacies with your freshly picked berries. They even have a page just for berry recipes.

Where: 23823 72nd Ave, Langley B.C.
When: Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (U-Pick fields close half an hour before closing time)
Phone: 604.888.1665

Westham Island Herb Farm

Only 35 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Westham Island Herb Farm is known for its peaceful country setting not far from the bright lights of the city we know and love.

Blueberries and raspberries aren’t the only things ripe for the picking at the farm. Everything from honey to spot prawns are available at the farm and just waiting to go home with you.

Make sure to visit the farm’s General Store where everything is handmade, including aprons, jellies and more.

The farm is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until October 31, 2014.

Where: 4690 Kirkland Road, Delta B.C.
Web: Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 604.946.4393

Maan Farms

Maan Farms started up in the 1970s and has been growing strong (pun intended) ever since.Their U-pick fields are open for strawberry, raspberry and blueberry picking, and the owners proudly say that they grow “the juiciest red strawberries in the Fraser Valley.”

Stay tuned to find out when the Country Market, Country Kitchen and the winery will open so that you don’t miss out on even a little berry goodness.

The farm has a play area and petting zoo, so make sure to bring the kids for a day of family fun.

Where: 790 McKenzie Road, Abbotsford B.C.
When: Daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Phone: 604.864.5723

Formosa Nursery

Dedicated to growing blueberries for over three decades, the Formosa Nursery invites guests to get picking from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Their certified organic crops include all the major berries and then some – gooseberries, currants, cherries, grapes and more.

You can also purchase the ready-picked produce at the farm if u-Picking isn’t for you.

Where: 12617 203rd Street, Maple Ridge B.C.
When: Daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Phone: 604.465.3359