It’s hard to believe that summer is already knocking on our door, but the weather is really heating up, and that means that local farms across the province are gearing up for u-pick season.
With 140 years of history in the Metro Vancouver area, Emma Lea Farms is situated on Westham Island in Delta, originally purchased as a family farm by Joseph Tamboline in 1885. After being passed down through the family for nearly 70 years, it was purchased by their granddaughter Betty and her husband, Robert, who went on to raise an award-winning dairy cattle herd and grow grain, hay, potatoes, peas, sugar beets, beans, and corn.
Forty years later, in 1994, the Minister of Agriculture for B.C. granted Robert and Betty the BC Century Farm and Ranch Award for operating Emma Lea Farms for 100 years.
Today, the beloved family farm is operated by the fifth generation of the Tamboline family, growing strawberries, raspberries, tayberries, boysenberries, blackberries, blueberries, beans, peas, rutabaga, beets and cabbage.
According to its website, strawberry picking officially commences on Friday, June 6, 2025, but they’ve announced that the season has come a day early.
“We are really proud of our strawberry crop this year,” shares the farm. “They are amazing… big, juicy, and so sweet, and there are lots of them.”
U-pick strawberries
Note that all u-pick berries are first-come, first-served, and there is no entrance fee to the fields. However, farm guests are encouraged to purchase a u-pick bucket from the check-in before entering the fields, as the farm does not permit outside containers.
Below are the 2025 prices for u-pick strawberries:
- Pint Basket: $6
- Green Basket: $20
- 5L Bucket: $30
- 8L Bucket: $46
- 11L Bucket: $60
Those who return with their clean Emma Lea Farms containers can get a discount at the u-pick check-in. If you’d rather grab some pre-picked fruit to go, there is a flat rate of $75/15 lb of fresh-picked strawberries, or $5.50/lb for a basket.
Note that the u-pick containers are to be filled once per visit to allow all farm-goers the chance to take home delicious, fresh strawberries.
In addition to fresh strawberries, the farm will also have an on-site Bread and Cheese food truck from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout June and July.
The Farm Market and Ice Cream Shoppe is also open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
U-pick raspberries, blueberries, & more
Looking for more berries to pick throughout the summer months? Emma Lea Farms says that raspberry season typically commences around July 1, and blueberries follow in early July until early August.
Starting in July, specialty berries such as blackberries and tayberries (a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry) may be available, depending on the weather.
When: U-pick strawberries available starting Thursday, June 5, 2025
Time: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, u-pick until 6 p.m.
Where: 2727 Westham Island Rd., Delta
Cost: Free admission, $6 to $60 for u-pick strawberries
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