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

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

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

Not all areas of a province or region have pears 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.

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

• Andrew's Scenic Acres - apples, asparagus, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, corn (sweet), currants (red and black), flowers, tulips, gooseberries, grapes, other berries, pears, peaches, plums, pumpkins, raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), raspberries (black), raspberries (Autumn, black), rhubarb, saskatoons, summer squash, strawberries, winery
  9365 10th Sideroad, Milton, ON L9T 2X9. Phone: 905-878-5807. Email: Farm@AndrewsScenicAcres.com. Open: Seasonally available, starting in Spring and ending in Autumn; May to October. Directions: Take hwy 401 to Trafalgar north \(exit#328\). Drive north ~ 7km to Sideroad #10 \(Ashgrove\). Drive west to the farm. Or North of 401 on Reg rd#25. Drive east on road #10.- R.r.#5 located in Halton Hills \(for GPS\) . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Andrew's Scenic Acres Facebook page. Fax: 905-878-4997 Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesTake hwy 401 to Trafalgar north (exit#328). Drive north ~ 7km to Sideroad #10 (Ashgrove). Drive west to the farm. Or North of 401 on Reg rd#25. Drive east on road #10.- R.r.#5 located in Halton Hills (for GPS) We also have Elderberries and wide range of flowers available for pick your own. Our family operated farm was established in 1980. We now proudly grow 175 acres of luscious fruit and vegetables. Our home farm is dedicated 100% to pick your own crops starting the first weekend in May with tulips, rhubarb and asparagus. Strawberries start ripening in June, followed by raspberries, cherries, currants, gooseberries, blueberries, elderberries, gourds, Indian corn and pumpkins. A diverse selection of cut your own flowers for bouquets include: sunflowers, celosia, gladioli, dahlias, roses, lilies, peonies and iris. Fun For The Children includes-Hay Rides, Haunted Forest, Animal Coral, Pony Rides, Straw Jump, Corn Walk and Pick Your Own. Acres and Acres of PYO orange and white pumpkins. Andrews' Winery, formerly Scotch Block Winery, produces quality fruit wines from fruit grown on the farm, including award-winning strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, cherry, apple and currant wines. We're up to 75 national awards now for our unique wines and Hard Cider (UPDATED: August 31, 2020 JBS)
• Applevale Orchards - apples, pears, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), porta-potties, school tours, group reservations
  5144 Derry Road, Burlington, ON L7M 0R6. Phone: 905-699-1921. Email: jobo1009@rogers.com. Open: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday from 11 am to 4:30 pm last orchard entry Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 11 am to 4:30 pm last orchard entry. Directions: From QEW, take Appleby Line north to Derry Road and turn east\(right\). Destination is on your right. From 401, exit at James Snow Parkway \(exit 324\), follow JSP south \(left\) to Derry Road, and follow Derry Road west \(right\) approx. 10km to 5144 Derry Road. Destination is on your left. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday from 11 am to 4:30 pm (last orchard entry) Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 11 am to 4:30 pm (last orchard entry)From QEW, take Appleby Line north to Derry Road and turn east(right). Destination is on your right. From 401, exit at James Snow Parkway (exit 324), follow JSP south (left) to Derry Road, and follow Derry Road west (right) approx. 10km to 5144 Derry Road. Destination is on your leftAugust to mid-September: Jersey Mac and Transparent apples, and Clapp pears Mid-September to end-September: McIntosh, Empire, Bartlett and Bosc pears October: Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Mut Sunday, Spy, Cortland, Spartan, Idared, Russet appleA minimum purchase of $30 per two adults + three children under 16 is required for orchard entry. Visitors must abide by all safety instructions: trees, ladders, tractors, and other farm equipment are off-limits. (UPDATED: August 31, 2020 JBS) (ADDED: August 28, 2017)
• Rural Route Orchards - apples, pears, plums, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, U-pick and already picked
  10308 4th Line, Halton Hills, ON L9T 2X9. Phone: 905-873-7687. Email: ruralrouteorchard@gmail.com. Open: Weekends and Holidays, 10 am to 5pm,September 1 to October 31. Directions: 401 to Trafalgar Road north then turn Left on 10th Side road then turn Right on 4th Line, travel 1 km north. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Also available apple cider vinegar and assorted wood chips for meat smokers.

Peel (Brampton, Caledon, Mississauga)

• Carl Laidlaw Orchards - apples, pears, U-pick and already picked, farm market
  9496 Heritage Road, Brampton, ON L6X 0A1. Phone: 905-456-2095. Open: every morning at 8:00 and close when we are picked out. Directions: take Mississauga Road north from 401 or 407. turn west, left on Steeles Avenue then north, right on Heritage Road. we are on the west side. Our 100 acre farm is on the credit river and is still family owned and run. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. beginning labour day weekend: every day from 9am 'til 5 pm September and October We offer children's birthday parties. Our raspberry season is mid July until mid August. we open we have over 30 varieties of apples- something for every recipe. We invite you to make an apple pie with us in the barn! We have a weekend applewood fire pit for corn on the cob and roasted hot dogs, a hay barn, animals, wagon rides and vintage tractors to enjoy. Honey, cider, and apple products are available in the barnApple varieties: Wealthy, Spartan, Ida, Red Delicious, Mutzu, McIntosh, McGowan, Empire, Golden, Cortland. Take a wagon ride to the orchard and you pick from the trees. Lots of parking, restrooms and easy to find from the 401W, as well as Hwy 7 through Brampton.
  Comments from a visitor on October 12, 2010: "Wonderful selection, beautiful orchard and decent prices. All apples and pears were $0.89/pound and admission was $3 for adults only, children under 18 are free. They also sell corn and hot dogs that you can roast yourself over a campfire!"A visitor writes: "I think it's a great place for grownups to act like kids again, picking and eating the best apples around in Southern Ontario, as far as I'm concerned after 20 years of picking there!!! Good prices too!"

 

Pear

Pear Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

pears, also known as serviceberries or Juneberries, are delicious and nutritious berries native to North America, mostly in the western Canada and northwestern U.S. . These small blue-purple berries grow on shrubs or small trees and have a unique flavor that is often described as a combination of blueberries, raspberries, and almonds. Here's what you need to know about pears, how to use them, when to harvest them, and how to do it:

Flavor and Uses:

pears have a pleasantly sweet and slightly tart taste, making them a versatile ingredient in various culinary creations. They can be enjoyed fresh, added to fruit salads, used in baked goods such as pies, muffins, and tarts, or even incorporated into jams, jellies, and sauces. pear berries also freeze well. They can be substituted for blueberries in recipes.

If you're looking for great, easy to follow recipes to make jam, jelly, freeze or make pear pie from Saksatoons / Juneberries, see these pages:

• How to make pear jam
• How to freeze pears
• World's best and easiest pear pie
• How to Can pears
• How to make pear jelly
• How to make and can pear syrup
• How to make home-canned pear pie filling to use later
• pear buckle coffee cake: illustrated directions for this great crumb-topping pear coffee cake

Harvesting Season:

The exact timing of pear berry harvest can vary depending on your location and climate, but it generally occurs in the summer months. In most regions, you can expect to start harvesting pears from late June to early August. Keep an eye on the berries as they ripen to determine the best time for harvesting.

Determining Ripeness:

Ripe pear berries are plump, firm, and have a deep purple-blue color. They should come off the plant easily when gently pulled or twisted. Look for berries that have a uniform color and avoid those that are still green or red. Taste a few berries to ensure they have reached the desired sweetness before harvesting the entire crop.

How to pick or harvest:

To harvest pear berries, simply hold the branch beneath the cluster of ripe berries and gently pluck them off with your fingers. It's best to place a container or basket beneath the branch to catch the berries as they fall.

The easiest and fastest way to pick them is hold your bucket under them in one hand and with your other hand, cup a ripe bunch and gently rub them with your fingers.  The ripe berries will drop into your bucket, while the unripe ones will remain attached to the bush.

Be careful not to squeeze or crush the berries while harvesting to maintain their shape and quality.

Handling and Storage:

Handle pear berries with care as they are delicate and can bruise easily. After harvesting, sort through the berries and remove any damaged or overripe ones. Store the freshly picked berries in a shallow container, preferably in a single layer, to prevent crushing and allow for proper airflow. Refrigerate the berries and consume them within a few days for optimal freshness. If you have an abundant harvest, consider freezing the berries for longer-term storage.

• Once picked, don't place the berries, still warm from the sun, in a closed bag or container. Leave the container open so moisture doesn't form in the container.
• Don't wash berries until just before using, to prevent berries from becoming mushy.
• Chill berries soon after picking to increase shelf life. Store your fresh pears in the refrigerator as soon as you get them home, without washing them, in a covered bowl or storage container. If refrigerated, fresh-picked pears will keep 10 to 14 days.
• Freeze berries in freezer containers without washing to keep the skins from toughening.  Place berries one layer deep. Freeze, then pour the frozen berries into freezer containers. Because unwashed pears freeze individually, they can be easily poured from containers in desired amounts. Remember both frozen and fresh berries should be rinsed and drained just before serving. Just before using, wash the berries in cold water.

 

 

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