2024 Brant, Hamilton and Haldimand Area of Ontario Corn U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Corn U-Pick Orchards in Brant, Hamilton and Haldimand Area of Ontario in 2024, by county

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

Not all areas of a province or region have corn farms 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.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Haldimand (Simcoe, Waterford)

• Richardson's Farm and Market - Strawberries, Raspberries, Corn Maze, hayrides,
  131 River Road, Dunnville, ON N1A 2W3. Phone: 905-774-7507. Email: info@richardsonsfarm.com. Open: Monday-Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm; Friday and Saturday 10 am to 9 pm; Closed Sundays. Directions: Reg. Road 20 to Dunn-Haldimand town line, North to River Road. Turn right 1km on right. Near Niagara. Also: Sweet Corn, melons, tomatoes & Maple Syrup tours. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Richardson's Farm and Market Facebook page. Fax: 905-774-9346
• Wholesome Pickins - apples, asparagus, beans, blueberries, cherries, corn, peaches, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, farmstand
  500 Church St., Delhi, ON N4B1V3. Phone: :519 582-1114. Email: info@wholesomepickins.ca. Open: 10 am to 6 pm, 7 days a week from late May to October 31. Click here for a map and directions. From 403 take Hwy #24 South. Turn right on Vanessa Road #4 - follow signs - end at farm! From Hwy #3 - take Fertilizer Road - follow signs. We also have fresh picked apples, asparagus, beans, blueberries, cherries, corn, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries. (ADDED: June 10, 2014X)

Hamilton (Alberton, Glanbrook, Hamilton, Hayesland, Kirkwall, Lynden,Sheffield, Renforth, Rockton)

• Lindleys Farm and Market - Currants, strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins, peas, Corn Maze, Fall school tours, Fall Festival
  900 Fiddler\'s Green Road, Ancaster, ON L9G 3L1. Phone: 905-648-4212. Directions: Located between Hamilton and Brantford, Ontario. Click here for a map and directions. lindleysfarmandmarket@gmail.com. Lindley's Farm & Market is conveniently . From Hamilton, exit Hwy 403 on Fiddler's Green Road. Turn south on Fiddler's Green Road and continue 2km to our farm on the right. From Brantford, exit Hwy 403 on Hwy 52, turn south and continue to Hwy 2, turn east and follow until Hwy 53. Proceed on Hwy 53 until Fiddler's Green Road, turn south, and follow for 2km to our farm on the right. Watch for the blue Ontario signs on Hwy 403. Pick-Your -Own CropsJune: Strawberries, Green Peas, Beets. July: Red Raspberries, Black Raspberries, Red & Black Currants, Gooseberries. October: Pumpkin Hayrides every weekend in October! Over 50,000 pumpkins to chose from in our fieldsA visitor writes on July 13, 2013: (positive experience) "I have been going to Lindley's for many years now. I have been there at least 6 or 7 times this year. The berries are fabulous. Rita and Stella are always so friendly and helpful. All the staff, including their students are amazing. It is a wonderful experience and it is shame for anyone who has had a bad experience. My daughter did get yelled at another farm when she was 5. She is now done high school and she still remembers that lady yelling at her. We are all humans. We have our good days and perhaps some not so good. Go to Lindley's. It will be well worth your time and effort."
  Comments from a visitor on September 07, 2011: (positive experience) "I have been picking berries at Linley's Farm for 5 or 6 years, and have always had a wonderful experience. I have never heard any shouting or rudeness; on the contrary the farm staff are good-humoured and very accomodating. I have seen many young children with parents and family groups who are enjoying the experience of "picking your own." I think parents need to be aware that this is a farm, someone's livelihood, and not an amusement park for kids. I always follow the directions of staff because I understand that these directions are part of good farm management - they know what they are doing. It's a give and take experinece - they get their fields picked in an organized manner, and I get tasty organic berries at a fair price. The taste and the fact that this farm doesn't use insecticides and fungicides is why I keep coming back. So don't listen to the complainers, this is a great farm."Has anyone else had experiences here, positive or negative, can either confirm or refute this one? If so, please write!
• Murphy's Country Produce Ltd. - strawberries, peas, raspberries, tomatoes, peppers, fava beans, romano beans, sweet corn, squash, and pumpkins.
  2040 Guyatt Road, Binbrook, ON L0R 1C0. Phone: 905-692-5733. Email: murphys@mountaincable.net. Open: during STRAWBERRY AND RASPBERRY SEASON: Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 5 pm. Directions: R.R. # 1,, Binbrook area - Take hwy #56 to Guyatt Road Turn east, continue for about 2km on the north west corner. Near Hamilton. . Click here for a map and directions. . But before you grab your hat and sunscreen we always recommend you call us to get up to date crop reports at Click here for a map.
  Comments from a visitor on July 02, 2011: "Took the whole family (three kids 6 and younger) out for PYO strawberries, it was a good experience. Found the rows to be a little tight together but the staff were great, never made a deal about the kids. We've been to other PYO strawberry farms and they have always spoken sternly about the kids. We know how to keep out kids in line, thank you. Anyway, the strawberry crop was quite nice. We also picked some sugar snap peas, great price on both. Will be back there each year for more."
  Comments from a visitor on July 21, 2009: "We picked raspberries at Murphy's today and it was an altogether nice experience. The young woman in the field was friendly and helpful; the berries were great; we were charged a competitive price; their pride in their farm is evident as everything is beautifully kept. We will definitely be back for more berries (and corn!) after we have eaten our way through today's yummy harvest. My husband & I are always impressed with how these hard-working farmers accept the losses they experience with people who come in their fields and pick only the very best & easiest to reach fruit, leaving many to rot on the plants. Customers should try to stand in the farmer's shoes for just a moment. Shame on those who are so wasteful.
  Comments from a visitor on July 05, 2009: "Today we were at one of the many farms we visit every year. We were there to pick strawberries. Since it was near the end of season the girl in the field told us to go where ever we could fine ripe nice berries. She then came over 15 minutes before the field closed to tell us that if our baskets were not full, we would not be charged full price. We realized it would take us longer to fill our basket (wanting to let the workers go home on time after a long hot day) and we had 3/4 of a basket so we decided to go. Once we left the field to pay for our basket the girl at the gate told us we would have to pay full price. When I challenged this she said it was "pretty full" so we would have to pay the full amount. "Pretty full" and full are two different things.. She continued to be rude and we will never return to this farm again. We all work hard for our money and I love to support our local farms, but this farm cannot encourage me to leave with a 3/4 full basket and then ask me to pay in full. I will support someone else for my strawberries next year, and look to pick raspberries elsewhere this season."
• Our Father's Farm - Uses natural growing practices, corn (sweet), onions, tomatoes, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked, events at your location (call for info)
  1050 Highway 5 West, Dundas, ON L9H 5E2. Phone: 905-628-8195. Email: info@ourfathersfarm.com. Open: Monday to Thursday 9 am to 5 pm Saturday 9 am to 3 pm. Directions: From Toronto - take highway 403 West to Exit highway 6 North, drive up to the top of the Hill \(Clappison\'s Corners\) Turn left at lights. Drive 10 km, Farm is on the left hand side \(12 km past Christie Conservation\) From London, Brantford- take highway 403 East to Copetown Exit, at stop sign turn left unto highway 52. Drive 7 km to highway 5, at stop sign turn right, drive 4 km Farm is on the right hand side. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, AmEx. Fax: 905-628-7812Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesFrom Toronto - take highway 403 West to Exit highway 6 North, drive up to the top of the Hill (Clappison's Corners) Turn left at lights. Drive 10 km, Farm is on the left hand side (1/2 km past Christie Conservation) From London, Brantford- take highway 403 East to Copetown Exit, at stop sign turn left unto highway 52. Drive 7 km to highway 5, at stop sign turn right, drive 4 km Farm is on the right hand sideFor 2009 we have vegetables and eggs only; For 2010 we will have strawberries, blueberries and raspberries available. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified OrganicHorseback riding lessons: Learn to ride - Beginners Welcome - All ages. Lessons offered every Saturday - call to schedule a time.
• Parkside Farms - sweet corn, pumpkins
  519 Parkside Dr E, Waterdown, ON L0R 2H1. Phone: 905-689-4829. Email: bendikkeboom@sympatico.ca. Open: Pick-your-own: October, Sat and Sun weather permitting; On-farm market: end of July to end of October Daily 10 am to 6 pm. Directions: From Burlington, take Hwy 5 west to Evans Rd. in Waterdown. Go north on Evans Road, left on Parkside Dr. about 0.5 km to 519 Parkside Drive. . Click here for a map and directions. . Pick-your-own: October, Sat and Sun (weather permitting); On-farm market: end of July to end of October Daily 10 am to 6 pm. Sweet corn picked fresh daily and PYOClick here for a map. Pumpkinfest every weekend in October; wagon tours, monster pumpkin, Storybook forest, pick your own pumpkin, school tours Contact Person: Bernhard Dikkeboom. They also have Potatoes, Pumpkins, Sweet corn, Tomatoes, Vegetables, Onions, Breads and Baked Goods: baked goods, pies, glads from local farmers.

 

Corn

Corn Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Corn reaches it's peak sweetness and flavor when the kernels are full, and just touching each other, like a good set of teeth!  They should not be bloated and smushed so tightly that there is no space left at all. The bloated overripe ears will have a bland, starchy taste.

Here's what to look for:

• The tips of the silks coming out of the ear should be a light brown.
•  If you break a kernel with your fingernail, the liquid should be slightly milky in color.
•  The ears should be filled out and have developed good girth but not bloated.

Harvesting

 To harvest, snap off the ears by hand with a quick, firm, downward push; then twist and pull.
 Avoid twisting or yanking the ears, as this can damage the stalk or the ear itself.

Storing the corn

Corn is at its prime eating quality on the stalk for only 72 hours before becoming over mature. The most important factor is cooling it as soon as possible after harvesting it.  Get it into the fridge or cover it with ice! Many farmers say you should remove the shucks right away, too.  I've found that removing most of the shuck, but leaving a few leaves to cover each ear is best to prevent the kernels from drying out.  See this page for more about storing corn before using it.

Cooking:

The worst mistake people make is overcooking corn.  In fact, corn isn't really cooked; it's just heated up. If you cook it form more than a few minutes (3 minutes), then you are simply breaking down the sugars and turning a nice, crisp sweet ear into bland mush. It's not a pot roast; the purpose of heating it is NOT to break down the cells, just to heat them to bring out the flavor and melt the butter!

Here's how to cook the corn:

1. Fill a large pot (large enough so the shucked ears can fit inside, laying down) about 2/3 full of water and start bring it to a boil
2. Shuck the ears, and snap off the stalk end and the very tip of ear (especially if you will use "corn stickers" , (handles) to hold the ears.
3. When everyone is sitting down at the table and you are serving the rest of the meal, put the corn in the boiling water and set the time for 3 minutes.
4. After 3 minutes, using tongs, retrieve the ears and serve them with butter (Corn boats are wonderful for corn!

 

Freezing Corn

You can easily freeze the sweet corn and have that great taste in the dead of winter! 

• Freezing whole ears of corn on the cob
• Freezing corn, cut off the cob

Canning Corn

This too, is easy... but it DOES require a Pressure Canner.  You cannot safely do this with a water bath canner.  Food poisoning is no joke!

• Here is how to can corn!
•  how to make canned creamed corn.
• Southern Chow-Chow (also called Piccalilli)
• Pickled corn relish

Other corn recipes

• How to make sweet corn ice cream
• Corn bread, or sweet corn muffins (like Chi Chi's)

• Corn fritters (a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast

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