Pick-your-own fruit and veggie farms in the GTA are strong June through August (followed in fall by pick-your-own pumpkins and other gourds). Strawberries and blueberries are the popular pickings in June and July, but you can also pick cherries and peas. Raspberries pop up in July along with sweet corn. Blueberries and raspberries are still available in August and it’s prime time for currants, peaches, peas, and green beans. Mid-month you might also find Ontario fall strawberries, and pear and apple picking begins in late August, weather-permitting.
Always call ahead to plan your visit, to be sure crops are ripe for picking. Check what’s in season with a handy what’s-in-season list from Harvest Ontario.
COVID-19 Considerations
While a lot has changed this summer, farms are opening up—with measures in place to ensure physical distancing is maintained, of course.
Most farms have their play areas, petting zoos, and wagon rides closed for the season.Some have opted for individual strawberry aisles, while others have created assigned areas. Most farms now require an online booking beforehand and are monitoring entry and exits to keep numbers within the provincial limits.
Farms currently OPEN for picking
Andrews’ Scenic Acres – Milton
This family farm in Milton is dedicated entirely to pick-your-own, with 165 acres of fruit and vegetable crops. At Andrews’ Scenic Acres you can pick as early as May, beginning with rhubarb and asparagus, then moving on to strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, gooseberries, sweet corn, elderberries, and currants through the summer. Visit in late August for fall strawberries and in fall for pumpkins. While you’re here, check out the farm market, animal corral, and free hayrides.
Brooks Farms – Uxbridge
Brooks Farms in Mt. Albert has a good variety of crops, including summer strawberries and peas in June, summer raspberries, gooseberries, and red and black currants from July to mid-August, and from mid-August onward there are ever-bearing raspberries and strawberries, apples, squash, and pumpkins. There’s also a farm market, a bakery, and the amazing Barnyard Playland with farm animals, zip lines, a giant jumping pillow, pirate ship, train rides, bouncing ponies, corn maze in the fall, and more.
Cherry Avenue Farms – Lincoln
For pick-your-own tree fruits, the 126-acre Cherry Avenue Farms in the Niagara Region is your best bet. The season begins in early July with sweet cherries, followed by peaches, apricots, and sweet yellow plums in late July and pears and blue plums in late August. The farm has a small market and tractor rides.
Downey’s Farm Market – Caledon
Near Caledon, Downey’s Farm Market has pick-your-own strawberries in late June, raspberries in July, and apples in late August. Downey’s has play areas with mini-putt, a giant sandbox, and a wooden play train, plus a Kritter Korral with farm animals.
Linton’s Farm Market – Oshawa
Linton’s Farm Market is a “u-pick” farm in Oshawa, growing strawberries, raspberries, and pumpkins for picking from June through October. The Kids’ Play Area is an attraction in itself, with a net maze, tricycle track, duck races, tractor tire “tightrope”, corn bowling, and other low-key, interactive games.
Organics Family Farm – Markham
The small family-owned Organics Family Farm grows certified organic fruits and vegetables. The farm is open daily through summer. The farm’s organic farmer’s market sells bread baked on-site (Wednesday–Sunday), plus produce, naturally raised meat and other local organic products. Come back in fall for 20 varieties of apples…plus, caramel apples!
Ressor’s – Markham
Pick your own strawberries this season at Ressor’s in Markham. Make your booking online before you go, and be sure to bring your confirmation on your phone. Once you arrive, staff will direct you on how you can safely pick your strawberries.
Stonehaven Farms – Milton
Offering both strawberry picking as well as pumpkin picking in the fall, Stonehaven Farms is currently open for the 2020 strawberry season. They have taken measures to ensure that all guest are safe while picking their fruit.
Pingle’s Farm Market – Clarington
Strawberries, apples, fall raspberries, and pumpkins are ripe for the picking from July through October at Pingle’s Farm Market near Oshawa. Hop on a wagon ride to the picking fields and let kids loose for playtime on the trike track, giant slide, giant sandbox or in the straw maze, and to pet the farm animals.
Wilmot Orchards – Clarington
It’s almost two hours east of Toronto (in Newcastle), but if you love blueberries, Wilmot Orchards is the place for you. They have rows upon rows of blueberries in eight varieties, as well as a small shop with all things blueberry: ice cream, pie, tea, jam, and more. You can usually pick blueberries through Labour Day weekend.
Farms currently CLOSED for picking
Hutchinson Farm – Burlington
Get there early in the season: pick-your-own raspberries, red currants, and black currants ends in early August at Hutchinson Farm. They also grow hundreds of varieties of flowers and many types of common and exotic herbs. You can buy (ready-picked) fresh garlic beginning in mid-August.
