Lees Berry Farm
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othing announces the coming of Summer
like the start of berry season. Each June hundreds of folks visit our strawberry fields, located
between Tualatin, Wilsonville and West Linn, Oregon. They know that nothing beats strawberries
ripened to perfection in the early summer sunshine. Grocery store strawberries are picked early so
they can be shipped and will keep on the store shelves. At Lee Farms, we don't compromise on
flavor and quality. Whether you pick them from one of our u-pick strawberry fields, or visit our
country store for field fresh ready picked berries, you know they will be juicy, ripe and bursting with
flavor. This June visit Lees and make an unbeatable strawberry shortcake or save a little summer in
the form of strawberry jam to brighten a winter day.
Our strawberries are available to be u-picked or can be purchased ready picked the same day at
our country store on 65th near Tualatin, Oregon. Check out our "What's Up" page for up to date
information on availability and special events.
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Larry Lee of Lee Farms with a
flat of Lees' strawberries.
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If you are new to making preserves or are working with children, try no-cook
freezer jams. Sure-Jell and Ball pectins both include good recipes. For a
batch (5-7 cups), you'll need about 3 pints of raspberries, marionberries or
boysenberries or a quart of strawberries.
Rinse, drain and freeze raspberries or black raspberries individually on a
cookie sheet. Once they are frozen solid, store them in a jar or ziplock
freezer bag. They will retain their shape and fresh look when thawed and
make excellent garnishes.
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June also sees the beginning of raspberry and black raspberry or black cap season. As with the
Strawberries, we have several fields available for u-picking in addition to ready picked raspberries
at our Country Store.
Raspberries are popular as a fresh berry, either paired with a little sugar and cream, or teamed
with a desert like shortcake or cheese cake. They freeze well and make exceptional jams and
jellies. If you've never made preserves, you'll be surprised how easy it can be, particularly if you
make try your hand at no-cook freezer jams. Easier still, stop by the country store for a jar of Lees
Jams or Jellies, made from our recipes with berries from our farm.
July brings on Lees' marionberry and boysenberry crops. Marionberries and boysenberries are both
forms of domesticated blackberries. Marionberries were developed here in Oregon's Willamette
Valley. They are much sought after around the world because of their rich "wild" blackberry flavor
and small seeds. Boysenberries are famous for preserves and syrups.
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When you are ready to u-pick berries, a few things will make your experience even more fun.
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Wear sunscreen and bring a hat - berries love the sun so you will find little shade in the fields.
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Bring along some drinking water for everyone.
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Wear closed toed shoes in the field and if you are picking raspberries or forms of blackberries,
consider long pants and sleeves. While they aren't as thorny as wild blackberries, they tend be
scratchy on bare skin.
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Have a cool storage place picked out for your berries and plan to prepare them as soon as
possible after picking them. Because they are at the peak of ripeness, they don't like to be left
sitting around.
Be sure to check the "What's Up" page, or call us 638-1869 to reserve your Fresh Picked
Berries or contact Larry Lee at 503-638-4200 to check on U-pick availability and picking
schedules.
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(503) 638-1869
