2024 Southeast Alberta, Canada Currant U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Currant U-Pick Orchards in Southeast Alberta, Canada in 2024, by county

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

Not all areas of a province or region have currants 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.

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

Southeast Alberta

• Bercley Berry Farms - Saskatoon berries, Rhubarb, Currants, Raspberries, Sour cherries, Fresh and dried flowers.
  Box 990, Bow Island, AB T0K 0G0. Phone: 403-545-2976. Email: bercley-farms@ta.monarch.net. Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: 403-502-0478 4.5 acres now producing saskatoons; 2 acres planted black currants. Located at the intersection of Highway # 3 and SR 879, 5 km west of Bow Island
• Gentle Giant Acres - No pesticides are used, cherries (pie or sour), currants (red), haskaps, raspberries (red), strawberries, other berries, beans, beets, pie or tart cherries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, kale, lettuce or salad greens, onions, snap peas (edible pod), snow peas (flat edible pod), rhubarb, summer squash, winter squash, sunflowers, Mint, Rosemary, Sage, Fresh eggs, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties, picnic area, picnic area you may bring your own food, pony rides, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, group reservations, events at your location (call for info)
  211058 Alberta 52, Lethbridge, AB T0K 2N0. Phone: 403-382-9879. Email: ggacres@hotmail.ca. Open: By Appointment 7am to 8pm Monday to Saturday through the season. Directions: 6 kilometers west of Alberta 845 and 52 junction. Strawberry season usually begins in June; Raspberry season usually begins July 15; U Pick Gardens are . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Gentle Giant Acres Facebook page. rta 52, Lethbridge, AB T0K 2N0 open in June; Garden Mazes open July to November 1;. We do not use pesticides on the crops Buffalo Berries are available as PYO. (ADDED: August 18, 2022)
• Narrowgate Farm - currants (red and black), saskatoons
  RR8-12-17, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4P0. Phone: 403-634-8182. Email: vgunn@platinum.ca. Open: July, August. Directions: 8km south of Lethbridge on Highway 4, follow the signs! . We are . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash. . Alternate Phone: 403-329-9292. open Our hours are: 7 days a week, 8 am to 8 pm mid-July to mid-August. Saskatoons August 15-August 30- Currants, Choke Cherries We have a private airstrip available
• Robinpick Berry Farm and Lethbridge Cornmaze - corn (sweet), currants (red and black), pumpkins, saskatoons, strawberries, sunflowers, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, child-sized haybale maze, and prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, tractor-pulled hay rides, petting zoo
  North of Park Lake, Park County of Lethbridge, Shaugnessy, AB T0K 2P0. Phone: (403) 381-3775. Email: theo@lethbridgecornmaze.com. Open: August, September, October, In August Monday to Saturday 10 am to 9 pm September & Oct, Monday to Thursday, 6pm to 9pm, Friday, Saturday and holidays 10am to 10pm. Directions: From Lethbridge North on hwy#25 ,follow signs to Park Lake & signs to the Lethbridge Cornmaze. Or look for a map on our . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard. The Cornmaze is open from August 5 to October 15, Mondays to SaturdayswebsiteDown on the Farm Festival every 3rd Saturday in September(UPDATED: June 13, 2024, JBS)

 

Currants

Currants Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

If you are about to pick currants either directly from a bush or from a local orchard or market, here's what you need to know to pick the best currants.

Currants are a fairly early crop, flowering soon after the last frosts in April and May, setting fruit in June, usually at the same time as strawberries in most areas (but check your area's harvest calendar and call the farm or orchard you are planning to go to a few weeks ahead).

Currants picking tips

When:

• Currants are typically ripe and ready for picking in the summer months, usually from late June to early August, depending on your location and the specific variety.
• Early morning is often the best time to pick currants. The berries are less likely to be stressed by the heat of the day, and they'll be at their juiciest.
• Try to avoid picking currants when they're wet from rain or dew. Moisture can cause the berries to deteriorate quickly and become moldy.
• Currant bushes can produce berries over a period of a few weeks. Check the bushes every couple of days to pick ripe berries and prevent overripening.

How:

• Make sure your hands are clean before you start picking to avoid transferring dirt or contaminants to the berries.
• Look for currant clusters that have plump, fully-colored berries. They should be slightly translucent and have a vibrant hue. Avoid berries that are underripe or overly soft.
• Hold the currant cluster gently but firmly, and use your other hand to pick the berries. Currants are delicate, so avoid pulling or tugging forcefully, as this can damage the branches.
• Proper Technique: Pinch the stem between your thumb and forefinger, then roll your fingers to detach the berries. This helps to prevent damaging the stem or the fruit.
• Leave some space between your fingers to prevent squishing the berries while you pick. Currants are small and can be easily damaged if you're not careful.
• Ripe currants should come off the stem with minimal effort. If you find yourself having to tug hard to detach a berry, it might not be fully ripe yet.
• While picking, keep an eye out for any signs of pests like aphids or caterpillars. Remove any infested berries to prevent spreading the issue.
• Use shallow containers, baskets, or colanders to collect the berries. This helps prevent crushing them under their own weight.
• Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the currants down.
• Respect the Plant. Be mindful not to damage the plant while you're picking. Avoid breaking branches or causing unnecessary stress to the bush.

After picking:

• After picking, gently transfer the currants into shallow containers or bags. Store them in the refrigerator as soon as possible to maintain freshness. Currants can also be frozen for longer storage.
• Avoid placing the picked currants in the sunshine 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. Currants may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three days, depending upon the initial quality of the berry.
• Currants have a short shelf life compared to some other fruits, so plan to use or preserve them within a few days of picking.
Remember that the specific techniques and tips may vary slightly based on the type of currants you are picking (red, black, or white currants), so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the particular variety you're working with.

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - Currants are affected by weather (especially rain and cooler temperatures) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first! Always call before you go to the farm - Currants are affected by weather (especially rain and cooler temperatures) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Leave early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for Currants, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
   If you use your own containers, remember that heaping Currants more than 3 inches deep will smush the lower currants. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
4. 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.

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the currants until you are ready to use them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Currants are more perishable than blueberries or strawberries, so make a point of refrigerating them as immediately as possible after purchase. Temperatures between 34 F and 38 F are best, but, be careful not to freeze currants! (Fresh currants are highly prone to freeze damage).
3. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting currants
4. Even under ideal conditions currants will only keep for a few days in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, consume or freeze them as soon as possible after purchase.
5. See my How to freeze berries page. (Unless you're going to make jam right away)
6. Now, get ready to make Currants jam - It is VERY easy - especially with our free Currants preserves instructions - illustrated and easy or cherry pie filling

Currants Recipes, Canning, Jam, Jelly, and related resources

• Currants jelly
• Currant jelly (unthickened)
• Currants festivals
• Currant  facts - useful, interesting and fun facts

Currants varieties

Here is a description of each type of currant

Red Currants:

• Small, round berries that are translucent and bright red when ripe.
• Tangy and slightly tart flavor, often used in jams, jellies, sauces, and desserts.
• Typically grow in clusters on deciduous shrubs.
• Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
• Commonly used in both sweet and savory dishes due to their tartness.
• Suitable for fresh consumption when fully ripe, but their intense flavor may be an acquired taste for some.

  

Black Currants:

• Small, round berries that are dark purple to black when ripe.
• Distinctly strong, sweet-tart flavor with earthy undertones.
• Often used in jams, juices, syrups, desserts, and even alcoholic beverages.
• Grow in clusters on woody shrubs with distinctive five-lobed leaves.
• High in vitamin C, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds.
• Considered to have potential health benefits due to their nutritional profile.
• The strong flavor can be polarizing, and some people might find it overpowering.

 

 

White Currants:

• Similar in size and shape to red currants but are translucent to pale yellow or pink when ripe.
• Delicate and sweet with a mild, fruity flavor.
• Used in jams, jellies, preserves, and for fresh consumption, especially as a garnish.
• Grow in clusters on shrubs and are less common than red or black currants.
• Sometimes referred to as "albino currants" due to their light color.
• Lower in acidity compared to red and black currants, making them a milder option for those who prefer less tart flavors.
• Because of their light color, they can add an elegant touch to dishes and presentations.

Remember that the specific taste and uses of each type of currant can vary based on factors such as growing conditions and individual preferences..

 

 

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