2024 Simcoe area of Ontario Corn U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Corn U-Pick Orchards in Simcoe 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.

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 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.

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Simcoe (Barrie, Bradford West, Innisfil, Midland, New Tecumseth, Orilli, Pentanguishene, Tay, Wasaga Beach)

• R Family Farm - beans, blackberries, corn (sweet), peas, raspberries (red), strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, U-pick and already picked, farm market, porta-potties are available
  3560 3rd Line, Cookstown, ON L0L 1L0. Phone: (705) 812-2373. Email: contactus@rfamilyfarm.ca. Open: Please see our website or call for current hours. Directions: In Innisfil - On the 3rd Line, east of side road 5 \(County Road 53\), between highway 89 and Innisfil Beach Road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards. In Innisfil - On the 3rd Line, east of side road 5 (County Road 53), between highway 89 and Innisfil Beach RoadStrawberries: Mid June to Mid July, Raspberries: July, Sweet Corn: August to September, Blackberries: SeptemberContainers available for purchase or you can bring your own. Please no smoking or pets.
• Valley Farm Market - beans, carrots, corn, meats, strawberries, tomatoes
  2457 County Rd 92, Elmvale, ON L0L 1P0. Phone: 705-322-2646. Email: info@valleyfarmmarket.ca. Open: Summer: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm; Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm; Winter: Tuesday to Saturday from9 am to 6 pm. Directions: Coming from Barrie, turn left at the main street in Elmvale \(Hwy 92\). Located 7 km west of Elmvale on the left hand side, 6 km east of Wasaga Bea. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Valley Farm Market Facebook page. Coming from Barrie, turn left at the main street in Elmvale (Hwy 92). Located 7 km west of Elmvale on the left hand side, 6 km east of Wasaga Bea(ADDED: June 05, 2014X)

 

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