Hands in the Dirt, Kids Dig Gardening

Community Gardens in Bend and Where to Pick Berries this Summer

Basking in the warmth of the sun with a bucket of ripe strawberries. Berry juice dripping down your chin as you eat sweet fruit that tastes like candy. Do you remember those precious summer moments? Taking your kids out berry picking or gardening with them can teach them so much about nature and where their food comes from.

When children grow their own food or visit a garden or berry farm they are more likely to want to try and eat more fruits and vegetables. Plus, according to “Dirt is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System” by doctor Jack Gilbert exposure to dirt and other microorganisms in the garden is good for your child’s immune system.

 

Community Gardens

Even if it’s too late to get a plot at one of these locations you can visit with your kids and see what others are doing. Often you can tell which plots are from families with kids, they have fun signs or handmade plants tags. Here are a few community gardens in Bend:

• Northwest Crossing Community Garden
• Franklin’s Corner Community Garden
• Kansas Ave. Learning Garden
• Hollinshead Community Garden at Hollinshead Park, Bend

Kid Friendly Fruit & Berry Picking

Pack up some sunscreen and a picnic and head to the valley for a day of berry or fruit picking. Enjoy the day in the fresh air and sunshine and fill your belly with sweet (healthy) goodies. You’ll want to check with the farms to confirm they have picking available before you go.

• Hazen’s Riverside Blueberry Farm
  96707 Burton Prairie Rd., Coquille, OR 97423
  Pick: Blueberries
  Season: end of June to the first of July
• Smith Berry Barn
  24500 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Hillsboro, OR 97123
  Pick: strawberries, blackberries, raspberries
  Season: late May through early October
• South Barlow Berries
  29190 South Barlow Road, Canby, OR 97013
  Pick: strawberries, raspberries, marionberries, boysenberries, blackberries and blueberries
  Season: Late May
• Bella Organic
  16205 NW Gillihan Rd., Portland, OR 97231
  Pick: strawberries, cherries, blueberries, blackberries
  Season: June through August
• Kruger’s Farm Market
  17100 NW Sauvie Island Rd., Portland, OR 97231
  Pick: strawberries, raspberries, marionberries, boysenberries, blackberries and blueberries
  Season: Late May
• Boones Ferry Berry Farms
  19602 boones Ferry Rd., Hubbard, OR 97032
  Pick: marionberries, boysenberries, raspberries, and strawberries
  Season: Late May