For 18 years of my life, July meant harvest.

I grew up on a wheat farm in Eastern Oregon and my sister and I spent most of our days out in the fields. We lived in a little red house (the same one my mom grew up in) that’s surrounded on all four sides by wheat fields. Every year, we’d watch the tiny sprouts push up through the dirt in the spring, growing into a thick, wavy field of soft green wheat over the months. As the summer set in, the fields transformed into a blanket of golden yellow wheat that would scratch our legs as we ran through the fields on our way home for dinner.

Once the 4th of July came and went, we knew it was time for harvest. We would wait outside until we saw the first combine rolling down the road, pulling into our driveway and parking near my Papa’s shop. The giant combines would line up alongside the bankout wagons and the water truck, like soldiers in formation. And then harvest would begin.

These are some of my favorite childhood memories. Riding in a combine with my cousin Tanner – he always had a can of soda in a little cooler for me and he’d let me "drive" the combine once we were out of my Papa’s sight. I loved watching the combine’s big arm emerge, like a big praying mantis, pouring tiny wheat kernels into the back of the bankout, filling it to the brim. I loved being covered in dust head to toe. When I got too hot, I’d go inside and clean up and help my Nana cook huge meals for the crew. When the day was done, my sis, the dogs and I would sit on the cold concrete floor of the shop while we ate, listened to the grown ups talk and took in the smells of dust, oil and heat. Then we'd do it again the next day.

I loved growing up in the country and in a small town. And one of the reasons I love living in Boise is the proximity to farms. We have thousands of farms in Idaho, and lots of them surround or are in the Treasure Valley. In an hour's drive or less, we can access farm-fresh produce or even pick our own produce! That's so cool. Not many cities have that, ya know?

Here's a bunch of places where you can pick your own fruit, berries, veggies and flowers this summer & fall:

Pick your own produce

Have you ever picked fruit right off the tree and taken a bite? It's amazinggg. Here's where to do it:

​Cabalo's Orchard in Kuna is a family-run orchard that has u-pick blackberries, pickling cucumbers, apples, and pumpkins. They also have fruit and veggies for sale in the farm stand. It's open to the public Th-Sat 9am-6pm and Sun 1-6pm. Find them at 2087 W King Rd, Kuna.

​​Cherry Hill Farms in Caldwell has u-pick apricots (July), cherries (July), peaches (August), sunflowers (Sept), apples (Oct), and pumpkins (Sept-Oct), as well as a farm stand that sells apricots, peaches, apples, and veggies grown on the farm. The fruit stand is open Wed-Sat, 9am-5pm. Find them at 19125 Apricot Lane, Caldwell.

​​The Berry Ranch in Nampa has u-pick strawberries, mountain blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and pumpkins. You can go pick Mon-Sat 10am-1pm, and be sure to bring your own container. They also have a farm stand with flowers, watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, sweet corn, berries, green beans, beef, lamb, chicken, bones for broth, honey, and jam. Find the ranch at 7998 Highway 20-26, Nampa.

​The Orchard at Lake Lowell in Nampa has cherries, peaches, plums, and apricots for picking. You can also buy fruit at the fruit stand. Check their Facebook for hours and find the orchard at 13005 Lake Shore Drive, Nampa.

​​Williams Fruit Ranch in Emmett has u-pick cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, and apples. They also have fresh-pressed fruit juice for sale. The orchard has been going since 1890! It's open daily 9am-6pm. Find the ranch at 2455 W South Slope Rd, Emmett.

​​Gem Orchards in Emmett has u-pick cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, berries, apples, and pears – and they have multiple varieties of each fruit! Find them at 2571 W South Slope Rd, Emmett.

​​Tyler's Rocky Point Orchard in Emmett has u-pick apricots, cherries, pluots (plum-apricot), plums, peaches, and apples. The picking hours depend on weather so be sure to check their page, or make an appointment. You can find the farm at 993 Hermosa St, Emmett.

Build your own bouquet

U-Pick flower farms are very trendy right now but for good reason: it's very fun! Go out to the farm, snip all the flowers that catch your eye & create your very own beautiful bouquet. I think my favorite part of flower farms is simply being surrounded by blooms. Take your time, watch the bees and all the bugs. It’s magical.

​Lovely Hollow Farm is a u-pick flower & pumpkin farm in Caldwell. In addition to flowers, she does fun events all throughout the season like concerts, food trucks, flower workshops and more. The farm is also available for photoshoots. Go visit at 18252 Chicken Dinner Road, Caldwell.

​Blue Sky Farm is a mom & daughter run farm in Eagle. They have u-pick flowers, workshops and you can bring your own picnic out there. Find it at 2685 N Haven Drive, Eagle.

​Mason Creek Flower Farm is a farm and small wedding venue in Nampa. They offer u-pick flowers daily from sunrise to sunset. If you don't have time to pick, they also have a self-serve stand or you can call ahead and they will make you a bouquet! Find it at 17178 Madison Road, Nampa.

​Haven Flowers is a flower farm in Boise that does events, u-pick and custom bouquets. They haven't announced u-pick dates yet but check their page for info.

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Shop farm stands & markets

In addition to markets, many farms have roadside stands where you can buy all of the produce they grow. A few to check out:

​The Shed at Garrett Ranches in Wilder has an amazing amount of fresh produce, including cherries, apricots, watermelon, cantaloupe, nectarines, peaches, plums, Italian prunes, sweet corn, long radish, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans, eggplant, zucchini, apples, and pumpkins.

​Wissel Farms in Nampa has peaches, plums, sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelon, farm fresh eggs, and more.

​Red Top Market in Wilder is a little market surrounded by hop fields! They have produce and so much more – fruit, veggies, dairy products, eggs, beef, and honey. On Thursdays they have beer, wine, food trucks & live music. It's so fun!

​Vogel Farms Country Market in Kuna has beer, chicken, pork, huckleberries, eggs, cheese, berries, and take & bake farm fresh meals. You can even shop online and go pick it up at the market!

Farmers Markets are still going strong:

• ​Boise Farmers Market; Saturdays 9am-1pm at 1500 Shoreline Drive, Boise
• ​Boise Farmers Market Mobile Market; Monday-Thursday at different locations around the valley
• ​Capital City Public Market; Saturdays 9:30am-1:30pm at The Grove Plaza, downtown Boise
• ​Meridian Main Street Market; Saturdays 9am-2pm at 33 East Broadway Avenue, Meridian
• ​Eagle Saturday Market; Saturdays 9am-2pm at Heritage Park, 185 E State Street, Eagle
• ​Nampa Farmers Market; Saturdays 9am-1pm at Lloyd Square Park in Nampa
• ​Farm to Fork Farmers Market; Tuesdays 5-8pm at Indian Creek Plaza, Caldwell

Alright that's all I got for ya.

Thanks for reading & happy picking!

With love from Boise,

Marissa

PS - podcast is still on a lil pause. I'll be back August 1 or sooner!

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