Find a local pick your own farm here!

Tomato U-Pick Orchards in King County-Seattle area of Washington State in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for tomatoes that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have tomatoes orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

King County

  • First Light Farm - Uses natural growing practices, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, pickling cucumbers, eggplant, herbs or spices, onions, pumpkins, tomatoes, other vegetables, Other fruit or veg, Honey from hives on the farm, porta-potties are available, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations
    27307 NE 100th Street, Carnation, WA 98014. Phone: (206) 719-8602. Email: firstlightfarm84@gmail.com. Directions: From 520 E: Continue onto Avondale Road Slight Right onto NE Novelty Hill Rd At the traffic circle, continue straight to turn onto NE Novelty Hill Rd Sharp Right onto W Snoqualmie Valley Rd Slight Left onto NE 80th St Turn Left onto Ames Lake - Carnation Road NE The farm is on the left, just after the horse stables for Cowgirls Spirit Rescue. Take a left down the dirt road about 400 ft until you reach the entrance to our farm. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard.
    First Light Farm Facebook page. . 's late spring, summer, and fall hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30 am to 6 pm. Earth Day Celebration: April 26, 2015 from 2 pm to 7 pm Mother Earth's Day: May 10, 2015 Summer Solstice Party: June 21st Cabbage Festival: July 19, 2015 Tomato-Pepper Festival: August 16, 2015 Scarecrow Making Festival: September 12, 2015 Pumpkin Festival: October 10, 2015. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. . We are a family-friendly farm that encourages individuals and families to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the beautiful Snoqualmie Valley as they pick vegetables, explore the ecosystem our farm is located in, or picnic by the lake. Come spend a day at. It's a time that will renew you!. (UPDATED: March 3, 2023, JBS) (UPDATED: March 30, 2018) (ADDED: April 12, 2015)
  • Mosby Farm- Farm Stand and CSA - herbs or spices, tomatoes, snacks and refreshment stand, picnic area, school tours
    12747-b South East Green Valley Road, Auburn, WA 98092. Phone: 253-405-0711. Email: mosbyfarmcsa@gmail.com. Open: Farm Stand Open 7 Days a week from 9am to 6pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Alternate Phone: 253-939-7666. . Community Supported Agriculture program available June through October. Rhubarb Festival Saturday May 1 from 1pm to 4pm Summer Squash Fest Saturday August 14 from 1pm to 4pm Check out our website for more information on our farm events and our fabulous CSA program.

 

Tomato Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Pick tomatoes that are firm and free of blemishes. Cracking is common in very hot weather, especially after a rain, and if you intend to use the tomatoes within 1 day, that will be ok. Varieties of tomatoes

During hot summer weather, pick the tomatoes when they have a healthy pink/red (or yellow or orange depending on the variety) color and let them finish the last day or two of ripening indoors. Tomatoes do not need to be in the sunlight in order to ripen. If you have green fruit on the plants in the fall when frost is approaching, pick the tomatoes and store them in a cool, dark place to ripen.

Tomato Varieties

In general paste or Roma-type tomatoes are the best to using for canning, as they have thicker, meatier walls and far less water. And cherry tomatoes are the worst to use, as they are mostly water.  But you can use any type you can get hold of.  You may just have to cook them down longer to boil off excess water.  See our Master list of tomato varieties

Growing tomatoes

Canning, Freezing, Drying, Preserving Tomatoes and more!

Below are links to pages with easy and reliable directions about how to can, preserve, freeze and make other goodies from tomatoes.  Some of these require a Pressure Canner to prevent potential spoilage and food poisoning, due to the low acid content of the food.  For others, you can use a water bath canner OR a Pressure Canner.  I've noted what's required for each, below, following each entry, with
W for water bath,
P for Pressure canner, and
W, P for either may be used!

And don't miss: Answers to common tomato canning problems and see this page about what to do with your unripe green tomatoes!

Prepping tomatoes

Canning tomatoes (in water bath canners )Home canned tomato soup

Canning Tomatoes in Pressure canners

Freezing Tomatoes

Drying tomatoes

Ripening green tomatoes in your garage or basement

If you want to bring your green tomatoes indoors before a freeze in the Fall, and ripen them, see:

And if you'd like to start you own tomatoes from seed (you can save a small fortune and grow the heirloom varieties you like) see this page for easy directions for growing your own tomato plants from seed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Canning, Freezing and Preserving Tomatoes

 

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)