2024 London, Essex, Middlesex, Oxford, Elgin, Norfolk areas of Ontario Corn U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Corn U-Pick Orchards in London, Essex, Middlesex, Oxford, Elgin, Norfolk areas 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

Elgin (Aylmer, Dutton, Port Stanley, St. Thomas)

• Fergusons - blueberries, pumpkins, corn maze
  RR6, St Thomas, ON N5P 3T1. Phone: 519-631-6589. Open: see their page. Click here for a map and directions. has a modest corn maze. During the scarecrow festival, there are many activities including make-your-own-scarecrow. We take the kids every year. They have a photo spot, decorations and a chipwagon sponsored by a local charity. There is also a stand for those who do not wish to pick that also includes a variety of baked goods. UPDATE for 2020, The owner tells says: I am letting you's know that I sold Ferguson Farms but the new buyer is going to continue the blueberry farm thanks for all your support The.

Middlesex (London area, Ailsa Craig, Dorchester, Glencoe, Melbourne, Strathroy, Thorndale)

• Apple Land Station - apples, pumpkins, corn maze, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, farm animals, school tours
  329 Richmond Street, Thames Centre, ON N0M 2P0. Phone: 519-268-7794. Email: appleland@rogers.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: Just east of London Ontario, only 10 minutes off the 401 highway. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Apple Land Station Facebook page. Apple Season typically starts the beginning of September, Pumpkins end of September and Christmas tree in NovemberVisit our bakery for our famous mile high apple pie or other delicious scratch made baked goods. Play for hours on Sand Mountain, ride the train or visit the animals. At Christmas, come and visit Sanata in his cabin in the woods and find the perfect Christmas tree. (UPDATED: February 16, 2019, JBS) (UPDATED: August 26, 2016) (UPDATED: December 01, 2011, by a visitor)
  Comments from a visitor on December 01, 2011: "Kids love it, train ride goes around farm 3 times, kids love the 40ft high sand mound"
• Heeman Strawberry Farm - Uses integrated pest management practices, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, corn, raspberries, U-pick and already picked, farm market, restrooms, school tours
  20422 Nissouri Road, Thames Centre, ON N0M2P0. Phone: 519-461-1416. Open: Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 8 pm; Saturday and Sunday, from 8 am to 5 pm, mid June to early July. Directions: From London, drive east on Dundas St, past Crumlin Side Rd, turn left on Nissouri Road Drive 2 km and find Heeman\'s on right hand side. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Heeman Strawberry Farm Facebook page. Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesFrom London, drive east on Dundas St, past Crumlin Side Rd, turn left on Nissouri Road Drive 2 km and find Heeman's on right hand sideStrawberries: Late May to Late October, Raspberries from July to October, Cherries from late June to mid July, Blueberries from late July to mid August;. We use integrated pest management practicesGreenhouse, garden centre, sundae booth also available. Strawberries: Middle of May to October, Cherries: July, Raspberries: July to October, Blueberries, Middle of July to Middle of August, Sweet Corn: Middle of July to September
• Thomas Brothers Farm Market & U-Pick Farm - beans, corn (sweet), cucumbers, currants (red and black), eggplants, other berries, peas, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, Other fruit or veg,
  5856 Colonel Talbot Road, London, ON N6L 1H9. Phone: 519-652-5551. Email: rt_regthomas@hotmail.com. Open: pick your own: Sunday to Saturday, 8 am to 8 pm, July to October. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.

 

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