Washington Berries
July 10, 2023
About Raspberries
Washington farmers grow the majority of our nation’s red raspberries, around 70 million pounds each year.
Like strawberries, there are summer and ever-bearing raspberry varieties. The ever-bearing is sometimes called fall-bearing. There are also seedless and seeded varieties.
Tayberries and boysenberries are crosses between blackberries and raspberries.
Raspberries come in yellow, red, purple, and even black varieties. But don’t confuse black raspberries with blackberries, they’re not the same. Black raspberries are soft and velvety like other raspberries, whereas blackberries are shiny, firm, and often larger than their counterpart raspberries. There are several ways to tell a black raspberry from a blackberry. A ripe black raspberry will be hollow when it is pulled from the stem, while a blackberry has a plug where the stem is attached to the berry. Black raspberries are soft, usually roundish, and have a duller color. Blackberries are firm, shiny, and slightly oblong in shape rather than round.
Purple raspberries are a cross between red and black raspberries and have some of the characteristics of each. Red raspberries are the hardiest varieties and tolerate the lowest winter temperatures, while purple and black varieties are better suited to milder climates where winter temperatures don’t drop below 5 degrees F.
Salmonberries are similar to raspberries. Salmonberries grow in many places around the region. and are orange (salmon colored) when ripe. However, the flavor is underwhelming compared to many other types of berries, somewhat bland and not very sweet.
About Blueberries
Washington State is the largest blueberry-producing state in the country with over 120 million pounds annually on both sides of the Cascade Mountains.
Five main types of blueberries are grown in the United States: northern highbush, southern highbush, rabbiteye, lowbush, and half-high. Most blueberry varieties are native to the eastern parts of the country. The northern highbush is the most common type grown worldwide and in the Pacific Northwest. However, there are dozens of varieties, and a typical farm usually grows a few different ones.
Fresh Washington blueberries are available from June to September, with peak season in August in most areas.
At other times of the year, you can find them frozen, canned, and dried–or preserve some yourself.
About Blackberries
If you want a truly wild, native (and most claim a much better tasting) berry, consider a day hike to pick native wild berries, including blackberries, as well as blueberries, salmonberries, thimbleberries, and huckleberries. For advice and particulars, read this article from Washington Trails Association about Berry Picking Hikes.
You can pick the ubiquitous roadside blackberries found throughout the region in urban areas. There are two species you are likely to see. The Himalayan and the evergreen blackberry—are both European species of blackberry. Some people have concerns about these “wild” berries, being either covered with automobile exhaust or possibly sprayed with a weed killer. Others state they are bland in flavor compared to commercially grown varieties. But, many, many people pick and enjoy these “wild” berries.
Blackberries and similar berries* season usually peaks in August.
*Marionberry and Loganberry are two of the most popular varieties of blackberry. Tayberries and boysenberries are similar but different crosses between blackberries and raspberries.
Find out more about strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries in Washington State from the Washington State University Research Center for Northwestern Washington in Mount Vernon.
Puget Sound berry festivals
Below are the popular berry festivals throughout the Puget Sound region. Find these and other upcoming berry festivals in the calendar list below
Burien Wild Strawberry Festival, usually in mid-June/Father’s Day weekend, is a longstanding community festival to celebrate summer with booths, derby races, a corn hole tournament, Strawberry Beer Garden, and live music.
Burlington Berry Dairy Days, held on the third weekend of June is one of the oldest berry festivals in Skagit County. There are family activities, delicious food, live music, craft vendors, fireworks, a parade, and more.
Joyce Daze Wild Blackberry Festival is held every year on the first Saturday in August, in the town of Joyce, located on the northern coast of the Washington Peninsula about 100 miles from Seattle via ferry. The wild blackberries that grow in the area are small and sweet. Festivities include a pancake breakfast, crafts fair, parade, raffle, kids activities, a salmon bake, and entertainment.
Marysville Strawberry Festival, in mid-June, is a volunteer-run, scholarship, and community festival, complete with a grand parade (Saturday evening on State Street) and kiddies parade, car show, carnival, vendors, and beer garden. The weeklong festival has many activities leading up to the final weekend.
Vashon Strawberry Festival in July includes Saturday parades, a car show, food, an alternative carnival, local artists, vendor booths, live music, a beer garden, children’s activities, and other events.