2024 Toronto area of Ontario Bean U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Bean U-Pick Orchards in Toronto area of Ontario in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for beans that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a province or region have beans 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.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

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Durham (Clarington, Oshawa, Scugog, Whitby)

• Watson Farm - apples, beans, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), rhubarb, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, restrooms
  2287 Highway #2, Bowmanville, ON L1C4V4. Phone: 905-261-3750. Email: info@watsonfarms.ca. Open: To reach the crop report, please call 905-623-7252 or visit their website; typically Opening Day early June, Pick-Your-Own Hours are 7 Days a Week from 9 am to 6 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Watson Farm Facebook page. Admission in 2024 is Adults: $5, Children: $3, Kids 2 and under: Free, Seniors: Free on Mondays and Wednesdays, strawberries, raspberries, peas, beans, apples, pears, pumpkins Market is now open No admission. You only pay for the produce you pick. Sorry no pets allowed at the farm. In October, U-Pick Apples and Raspberries are open. Rhubarb in May and strawberries in June. U-Pick Pumpkins will open October 19th. Click on Crop Report for more information. The Pick Your Own is run separately from the farm market. (UPDATED: May 31, 2024 JBS)

Halton (Burlington, Darbyville, Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville)

• Carter Farm Market - Uses natural growing practices, beans, flowers, herbs or spices, pumpkins, Honey from hives on the farm, Maple Syrup from trees on the farm, Fresh eggs, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, face painting, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  9880 Winston Churchill Blvd., Norval, ON L0P 1K0. Phone: 905-454-8767. Email: mcarter@carterfarmmarket.com. Open: Monday - Thursday 9 am to 5pm Friday - Saturday 9 am to 6 pm Sunday 9 am to 5 pm. Directions: 7 km North of the 401 on Winston Churchill Blvd. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic(UPDATED: August 31, 2020 JBS)
• The Farm - beans, beets, blackberries, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, eggplants, fresh garlic, garlic blooms, herbs, onions, peas, peppers, pumpkins, rhubarb, romaine, Romano beans, squash, strawberries
  12399 No. 15 Side Road, Halton Hills, ON . Phone: 905-873-2050. Open: weekdays 8 am to 5 pm from mid-June to September, Saturday 8 am to 2 pm from mid-June to mid-July, 8 am to 12 pm mid-July to September; Sunday & holidays 8 am to 12 pm from mid-June to September. Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: 905-877-7976

Peel (Brampton, Caledon, Mississauga)

• Domal Orchards - Apples, Honey, Squash, Potatoes, Beans, Peppers
  Missisauga Road, Brampton, ON . Phone: 905-457-9040. Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: 905-457-6998.
• Van Dyken Bros - beans, cucumbers, melons, onions, peas, tomatoes,
  14510 Gore Rd, Bolton, ON L7C 3E3. Phone: 905-857-3561. Open: Daily 8 am to 8 pm; Closed Sunday. Directions: From Bolton, go west of Highway 50 on King Street 5 km. Turn north on Gore Road and go 1.5 km to 14510. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. 14510 Gore Rd, Bolton, ON L7C 3E3 Crops are usually available in July, August, September, October

York (Aurora, Georgina, King, Maple Hill, Markham, Newmarket, Vaughan, Whitchurch-Stouffville)

• Brooks Farms - apples, beans, corn (sweet), currants (red and black), gooseberries, nectarines, other berries, peas, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), raspberries (Autumn, black), saskatoons, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Maple Syrup from trees on the farm, Fresh eggs, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  122 Ashworth Road, Mount Albert, ON L0G 1M0. Phone: 905-473-3246. Email: info@brooksfarms.com. Open: Mid February til end of October Hours Change Seasonally, Please visit our website for up to date hours and additional information. Directions: North on highway 404 to Newmarket. Exit on Vivian Road and go east to highway 48. Go north to Mount Albert Road, then east past Mount Albert 3 km to 122141 Ashworth Rd. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Brooks Farms Facebook page. North on highway 404 to Newmarket. Exit on Vivian Road and go east to highway 48. Go north to Mount Albert Road, then east past Mount Albert 3 km to 122/141 Ashworth Rd The dates listed below are approximately & vary depending on the year. Summer Strawberries: Mid June - Mid July. Peas (Regular, Snow & Sugar Snap): Mid June - Mid July. Summer Raspberries (Purple, Red & Black): Beginning of July - Mid August. Saskatoon Berries (Lasts for approx. 1 week): Beginning of July. Gooseberries: Mid July - Mid August. Red & Black Currants: Mid July - Mid August. Raspberries & Strawberries (ever bearing): Mid August - Frost. Apples (Ida Red, Macintosh, Golden Delicious, Royal Gala & Honey Crisp): Mid Sept- End of September. Squash (Acorn, Spaghetti, Hubbard & Butternut ) : Mid Sept- End of Oct. Pumpkins: Month of October.
• Judy's Tropical Garden - Okra, Italian eggplant, Chinese eggplant, long green eggplant, squash, long beans, cucumbers, bittermelon, Hungarian hot peppers, watermelon, spinach, squash leaves, squash flowers, Chinese water green, calalou,
  7297 Reesor Road, Markham, ON L6B 1A8. Phone: (905) 201-8624. Email: noeljudy@aol.com. Open: Season runs from early August until Halloween, DAILY INCLUDING HOLIDAYS 9 AM to 7 PM. Directions: See their website for directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards . Drop by our 60 acre vegetable farm in the south east corner of Markham and check out our wide variety of fresh produce gown right on the farm. You can pick your own or pick from our display. Our season runs from early August until Halloween. Picnicking & Barbecuing are Prohibited (ADDED: September 08, 2020, Suggested by a visitor)
• Robintide Farms - beans, peas, raspberries (red), strawberries, U-pick and already picked
  2720 King-vaughan Road, Vaughan, ON L6A 2A9. Phone: (647) 988-2720. Email: robintidefarms@gmail.com. Open: Monday: 12pm to 7pm Tuesday to Friday: 9am to 7pm Saturday and Sunday: 8am to 5pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards.
  Robintide Farms Facebook page. Strawberry season is middle of June to middle of July Raspberry season is middle of July to early August(UPDATED: August 31, 2020 JBS) (ADDED: June 22, 2018)

 

Green Bean, Lima Bean, Shelled Beans Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

When are fresh beans available?

Beans are a warm weather crop, and won't grow much in cold soil. It takes them about 60 to 70 days from seed to harvest.

 In the U.S. beans typically peak in harvesting from June through October in the South, and in July to September in the North. But they can be ready as early as early June in many places, if the weather is good.

  

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - it's hard to pick in a muddy field!
2. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for beans, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
3. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

  

Tips on How to Pick Beans

Whether you pick beans from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Tips on How to Pick Green Beans

1. Most beans these days are "stringless". That refers to a string, tough filament of the bean that runs along the outside from one end to the other.  Some beans have two, one on each side; and some have one.
2. I prefer to snap the bean off the plant just below where the stem attaches to the bean. If you do this, it will save time when you get home, because one end of the bean has already been trimmed.  But this only makes sense if you will be using, cooking, canning or freezing the beans that day. 
3. If you won't be using the beans the same day, then break  off the bean from the plant along the thin stem that connects the bean to the plant.
4. The beans snap off pretty easily. hence the name "snap beans".
5. Pole beans are the easiest to pick, because, since they grow up poles or twine, you don't have to squat down or bend over!
6. Beans are ready for harvest when the pods are plump and firm, but not yet bulging. .
7. In your own garden, pick your beans regularly to encourage more growth and prevent the pods from becoming tough and stringy.
8. To harvest, hold the stem of the plant with one hand and gently snap the pod with the other..

Look for string, snap or green beans that are :

1. firm
2. green (not yellowish - unless you're picking yellow beans!)
3. smooth, not wrinkly on the surface - that's an old or dried out bean. Snap beans are best when the pods are firm and snap readily, but before the seeds within the pod develop. The tips should be pliable
4. not lumpy - those lumps are the beans that are developed - that's an overripe green bean!  Of course, if you want mature beans (not including the pod) then that's a different story, but we're talking about green beans here).
5. The beans in the photo at right are, from left:
   - old and yellowing,
   - overripe and lumpy; and
   - dried out and damaged.
6. Avoid placing the picked beans in the sunlight any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking. I prefer to bring a cooler with ice in it. Green Beans may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days

 

When you get home

1. After harvesting, store your beans in the refrigerator or blanch and freeze them for longer storage.
2. Put them in the vegetable crisper in the fridge, in a loose plastic bag.
3. They will be good for about a week like that.

  

Bean recipes and home canning

Now, get ready to can or freeze the extra beans - It is VERY easy! Click on the links for easy instructions.

1. How to can green beans, yellow beans, snap beans, broad beans, etc.
2. How to make pickled beans
3. How to freeze green beans (and other beans)
4. How to Freeze Lima Beans, Broad beans, Butter Beans and/or Pinto Beans
5. Canning fresh shelled beans
6. Canned dried beans and peas (from kidney beans, peas, lima beans, broadbeans, chickpeas, pole beans, etc.)
7. Canned Baked  Beans With Tomato or Molasses Sauce
8. Canned Baked  Beans With Back, Pork or Ham and Tomato or Molasses Sauce -
9. Pickled green beans
10. Pickled Dill beans
11. Mustard beans (pickled mustard beans)
12. Pickled Three-Bean Salad

Varieties

There are many different types of beans, each with their own unique flavor, texture, and growing requirements. Some of the most popular varieties include:

• Green Beans: Also known as snap beans or string beans, green beans are a classic garden staple. They can be eaten fresh or cooked and come in bush and pole varieties.
• Lima Beans: Lima beans (called Broad Beans or Butter Beans in the UK) are a nutritious and protein-rich vegetable that can be eaten fresh or dried. They require a long growing season and prefer warm temperatures.
• Pole Beans: Pole beans are a climbing variety of bean that require support to grow. They can reach up to 10 feet tall and have a longer growing season than bush beans.
• Dried Beans: Dried beans are a versatile pantry staple that can be used in soups, stews, and other dishes. Popular varieties include black beans, navy beans, kidney beans, black beans, garbanzo (aka, chick peas) and pinto beans

• s, navy beans, kidney beans, black beans, garbanzo (aka, chick peas) and pinto beans

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

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers