100% Washington State Berries – A Berry Good Guide!

• October 18, 2022
• posted by: greenhaven
• comments: 0
• bark, dirt supply, gravel, heavy equipment rental, landscape supply, landscaping, material handling, mulch, Pierce County topsoil, soil products, topsoil, Walrath Trucking, Walwrath

You can find delicious native berries all over Washington state. Use our Washington state berry guide to learn about the common types, harvesting guidelines and preparation. Remember to always keep your berries fresh and be careful when eating unknown berries. This guide also includes information about the people who popularized berry farming in Washington state.

Identifying Washington State Berries

When berry-picking in Washington state, it is important to know how to identify the berries you find. To avoid picking the wrong type, you should always carry a reference book or invite a friend who is an experienced berry-hunter. It is also a good idea to avoid picking berries in areas where plants have been sprayed with chemicals. You never know when a fine-looking berry will turn toxic. A great guide is the app Garden Answers. With this app, you can better identify plants in your surroundings.

Wild blackberries are a common Washington state berries throughout the state but be careful not to pick them without being sure they are indeed blackberries. There are other kinds of berries that look like blackberries, so you need to pay attention to which ones you can eat. Huckleberries are easily identifiable berry in Washington state.

Huckleberries are Washington state berries that grow in low-lying areas, as well as in high-altitude regions. Huckleberries are red or dark purple and round with a small black spot on their bottom. Huckleberries grow from bushes with tiny green leaves, often found in old growth logs. Huckleberries are a favorite of humans and animals alike!

There are so many Washington state berries! Get out there and discover new species today!

Growing Berries

The state of Washington is home to a wide variety of delicious native berries. Here’s a guide to the most common varieties, how to harvest them and how to prepare them.

Some of the most popular berries in Washington state are strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. Many larger farms grow more than one variety. They tend to plant several varieties of berries in adjacent rows. Some of these varieties are also grown commercially. Blackberries, for example, are native to the state and can be found growing wild in most green areas.

Blueberries require a slightly acidic soil with high organic matter. If your soil is too alkaline, you can adjust the pH to a more acidic level using elemental sulfur or an acidifying fertilizer. You can also add high-quality compost to the soil to improve its aeration and retain moisture. As a general rule, blueberries need six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. For the best yield, plant several varieties.

Japanese Immigrants Brought the Berry Industry to Fruition

Sometime in the 1930’s, Japanese immigrants began cultivating Washington state berries. Some of them planted berries along with other crops, while others grew them on their own. One such family, the Mukai family, set up shop in Vashon Island and produced berries for more than thirty years before closing the farm in 1968. They sold their produce at the Pike Place Market and terminal markets. By the 1930’s, more than 500 Japanese families had farms in Washington state, with over 13,000 acres of land.

In addition, there was an abundance of Japanese vendors in Pike Place Market. One of the oldest Japanese farms, the Tsugawa Brothers Nursery is still in operation, producing countless Washington state berries. The Japanese immigrant community was the backbone of the berry farming industry on the West Coast and Japanese farmers made great strides in developing the industry.

When you are ready to get started on your own Washington state berries, be sure to contact us for your soil and mulch needs!