Views of Sequim, the Olympic Peninsula. . .and beyond
Graysmarsh Farm offers a little of everything that grows well here. Near the entrance is a rolling hill covered with lavender. The plants in the foreground have been partially or fully harvested by visitors and Graysmarsh workers for lavender products the farm markets. I wish there were scratch and sniff computer screens because the scent is wonderful now.
There’s a small field of pretty, varied sunflowers at Graysmarsh Farm behind a farm stand where pickers can pay for their harvests. The farm also offers pre-picked seasonal produce, including their berries, and a selection of their delicious preserves.
Here’s a view of some of the berry operations from the sunflower field. The berry bush locations are rotated from year to year. The flat field in the middle ground may have been the location of this year’s strawberries. In the far distance on the right is the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Tomorrow I’ll give you a view of what’s to the right of this photo.
I saw this contraption the other day while I was at Graysmarsh Farms picking berries. I had no idea what it was until my friend asked if I’d ever seen the berry picker in operation. Nope.
In the middle of the machine are twirling rows of poles that brush along rows of berries. Ripe ones easily drop from bushes and the poles coax them into conveyors. The two big vents at the top of the back of the machine blow out excess leaves or twigs. The conveyors rotate the berries up onto the sides of the machine where workers catch them in plastic berry bins and pick out any unnecessary bits. I thought it was pretty interesting. If you don’t…well, just humor me, ok?
Berry season is one of the rewards for a long winter in the Pacific Northwest. Some berries grow wild here but if I’m ready to do some serious picking I go to Graysmarsh Farm, a U-Pick operation that offers a variety of beautiful, cultivated berries for a fraction of the cost of store bought. This is a blackberry. It’s easily more than double the size of those found on wild bushes.
I picked a couple of pounds of blackberries and raspberries this week and was happy with my harvest. But I think the peak of the season is still to come. Some blackberries, above, still have blossoms and ripe berries are surrounded by ones that should be perfect later this month. I may make a return visit. It’s such a summery sort of thing to do.
I love photos. I love taking them and I love looking at them. But sometimes they fall short. Sometimes there’s a mood, a feeling of place that can only be captured by being there. And you can’t record a scent.
I wish I could have caught the scent as I took this picture. It was heaven. Pure heaven.
Graysmarsh Farm is one of our berry farms that I hope will open for business soon. Strawberries come first, followed by an assortment of vine berries, then blueberries.
As you can see, it’s a large farm. In the foreground is “u-pick” lavender. There are tree fruits in the middle ground and in the distance is the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The berry crops are rotated and signs guide you to the crops that are available for picking. A small stand sells pre-picked fruit, lavender plants, and my favorite preserves.
Graysmarsh Farms has u-pick berries that start with strawberries that ripen in June. Then come raspberries, loganberries, and boysenberries. Summer ends with blueberries and blackberries. Bring a container, have it weighed, then head into the fields. On a clear day there’s a wonderful view of the Olympics and most any time it’s a delightful spot to pick luscious fresh berries as you dream of preserves or pies or other yummies. And don’t forget the lavender!
The labor pays off if you love fresh berries. These fresh raspberry gems cost $2 per pound. How much are they in your market?