38302 SR 530 NE
Arlington, WA 98223
(360) 436-1951
Certified Organic Blueberries
Welcome to Whitehorse Meadows Farm
Our farm started with a “hey let’s grow berries” idea that began in 1997 when we purchased the property and first thought of converting it from an idle dairy farm field into a blueberry field. The “we” in this idea is Tom, Val, Jessica and Tom Wall. Val’s bright idea grew out of a family farming background in California – although her family grew oranges (a far cry from blueberries) – and Tom’s fond memories of spending wonderful childhood days with grandparents in Darrington. Tom and Jessica, the younger Walls have enthusiastically come along for the ride. Since it’s inception the concept of fields of berries has grown to 5 acres of blueberries in particular while the younger two Walls have completed high school and college. Though they are grown and officially “out of the house” they continue to provide moral support and occasional labor. Tom and Val are both psychologists practicing in Seattle who plan to retire to the blueberry business.
We look forward to having you visit our farm. We grow 3 varieties of highbush blueberries – Spartans, Rubels and Jerseys. Our plants are grown only with organic fertilizers. Pesticides are not applied to the fields. We earned organic certification from the Washington State Department of Agriculture in October 2005. This means that we use only organic fertilizers, do not use herbicides or pesticides, and maintain a farm plan that works to further the health and natural cleanliness of the environment. Organic farming means that “management practices are designed to restore, maintain, and enhance ecological harmony.” Organic farms must be re-certified each year and are regularly inspected to insure that organic procedures and ecological protections are being followed. Our goal is provide you with superior grade fruit while enhancing the natural health and well-being of the soils, plants and animals in our environment.
In keeping with our commitment to sustainable growing practices, our farm was evaluated through Stewardship Partners and received Salmon Safe certification in Spring 2007. This is an emerging Northwest eco-label that recognizes farmers who protect water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and on-farm biodiversity. We are a just a half mile from the north fork of the Stillaguamish River and understand that living in a watershed, the way we treat the land has downstream impacts. Salmon-Safe certification recognizes our efforts to protect our wetlands and waterways, prevent soil erosion, use natural weed and pest control methods in lieu of harmful chemicals, practice water conservation, and encourage a diversity of plant and wildlife habitat. Our farm landscape plays a role as a wildlife refuge in our increasingly urbanizing region.
The result of sustainable, biodiverse, organic farming is a peaceful place in which the plants and animals enhance one another. Wildflowers and mixed clover beds that provide habitat to our ladybugs and bees surround our fields. In return these little critters care for the plants. We spend a lot of time hand weeding and rototilling to insure that soil nutrients are kept primarily available to the blueberries. We do spray before fruit ripening with vitamin C – yes the same kind you take in your vitamins – and a combination of other ingredients such as fish powder, sugar and omega fatty acids to help the plants maintain their “energy” while setting and developing fruit.
The older plants in these fields have lived here since 2000 with only organic nutrients. A second planting was completed in May 2005 and September 2005 from a virus free nurseery in Oregon, with our final planting done in September 2008. These babies will not be ready to fruit for at least two years at which time their fruit will come from canes that started here. We have approximately 5 acres of high bush blueberries containing 6000 plants.
SPARTAN
As you face Whitehorse Mountain the fields to your left are ready to pick. The first 12 rows contain Spartans. These plants are somewhat finicky about their environment and they produce larger flavorful berries. While Spartans look more like the blueberries available in larger grocery store chains they are not. Spartans are larger, firmer, more flavorful and freeze into a great mini-popsicle! Spartans bloom late and ripen quickly and they like loose, well-drained soil.
RUBEL
Still on your left, the back 15 rows contain Rubels. Although there have been hundreds of new varieties of blueberries introduced since 1912, Rubels remain as an outstanding wild variety. Their fruit is smaller and darker and holds flavor and becomes sweeter in cooking. Rubels are wonderful in recipes calling for fresh berry topping or in baking. Also, the Rubel is extremely high in antioxidants (the compounds that assist in improving eyesight, lowering cholesterol levels and preventing cancer). We also have Rubel plants for sale.
JERSEY
On your right side are 400 very young Jerseys planted in September 2005 with space left open for the 500 due to arrive in September 2006. This is a prolific and flavorful mid-sized berry. It is one of the oldest varieties available and produces clusters of very sweet fruit.
MULCH
In 2005 a number of customers asked if they could purchase organic mulch from us since our plants are thriving under this regimen. We will have bags of mulch, containing organic fertilizer and ph balancer available in the spring and early summer.
As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainable farming and organic practices we also participate in a number of farm related associations that provide resources and educational opportunities ensuring that we learn and grow on a daily basis. These include: