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

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

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

Not all areas of a province or region have raspberries 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.

Durham (Clarington, Oshawa, Scugog, Whitby)

• Pingle's Farm Market - Apples, pumpkins, raspberries, saskatoons, strawberries, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, haunted corn maze, child-sized haybale maze, and prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, horse-drawn hay rides, wagon rides, face painting, petting zoo
  1805 Taunton Road East, Hampton, ON L0B 1J0. Phone: 905-725-6089. Email: farmerwally@internet.look.ca. Open: May, June, July, August, September, October, 7 days a week, 10 am to 6 pm weekdays, Saturday, Sunday and holiday Monday from 9 am to 6 pm; Fun Farm on weekends from 10 am to 4 pm; Including all holidays from May 1st to October 31st. Directions: We are located at Courtice and Taunton Roads. just outside of Oshawa. Take the 401 to the Courtice Road exit, take courtice road north, all the way to the end, and turn right, you can\'t miss us. There is also a sign on the hwy. with directions.There is a farm market, gift shop, and bakery. There is a petting zoo, trike track, toys in a big pile of sand, giant checker board, bunnyville, and many activties for the children. Great fun for the whole family. PYO Strawberries usually around the mid - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard. Fax: 905 725 9040or vetzal1@yahoo.com We are located at Courtice and Taunton Roads. just outside of Oshawa. Take the 401 to the Courtice Road exit, take courtice road north, all the way to the end, and turn right, you can't miss us. There is also a sign on the hwy. with directions.There is a farm market, gift shop, and bakery. There is a petting zoo, trike track, toys in a big pile of sand, giant checker board, bunnyville, and many activties for the children. Great fun for the whole family. PYO Strawberries usually around the middle of June. Call ahead to verify crop is dependant on the weather. Fall Raspberries are ready end of august beginning of September and last until the first frost or October 31st when we close. Pumpkins are for PYO or ready pick on weekends in October there is wagon rides to the pumpkin patch! Easter weekend we are OPEN, we have activities for children 12years and under. Friday to Sunday, bakery is Friday to Monday. We have school tours, wagon rides, fall raspberries, apple picking, fun fall weekends with every expanding activities on the farmis proud to offer a variety of pick-your-own Ontario farm fresh produce including: strawberries, apples, fall raspberries, and pumpkins. Pick your own apples is open the second weekend in September. Pick your own pumpkins opens on October 1st. Pingle's provides a free wagon ride to the strawberry patch and pumpkin patch when both, respectively, are in season. All other pick-your-own produce is within walking distance from the Pingles Farm Market store. Please call ahead for wagon availability and information. (UPDATED: August 31, 2020 JBS)
• Spring View Farms - strawberries and raspberries
  Durham Rd, Uxbridge, ON . Phone: 905-852-2795. Directions: Located in the rolling hills of Uxbridge. Click here for a map and directions. . Come to our small quiet berry patch for chemical free strawberries and raspberries. We welcome you and your family to our farm Located 10 km north of Uxbridge at 11680 Durham Road 1 in hamlet of Leaskdale. From Toronto take Markham Rd (Hwy 48) to Davis Dr. Turn right and go east 15 km to traffic light. Turn left on Durham Rd 1 (Main St. N) and go 7.5 km to farm on left just inside hamlet. Phone for times and conditions.
• Watson Farm - apples, beans, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), rhubarb, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, restrooms
  2287 Highway #2, Bowmanville, ON L1C4V4. Phone: 905-261-3750. Email: info@watsonfarms.ca. Open: To reach the crop report, please call 905-623-7252 or visit their website; typically Opening Day early June, Pick-Your-Own Hours are 7 Days a Week from 9 am to 6 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Watson Farm Facebook page. Admission in 2024 is Adults: $5, Children: $3, Kids 2 and under: Free, Seniors: Free on Mondays and Wednesdays, strawberries, raspberries, peas, beans, apples, pears, pumpkins Market is now open No admission. You only pay for the produce you pick. Sorry no pets allowed at the farm. In October, U-Pick Apples and Raspberries are open. Rhubarb in May and strawberries in June. U-Pick Pumpkins will open October 19th. Click on Crop Report for more information. The Pick Your Own is run separately from the farm market. (UPDATED: May 31, 2024 JBS)
• Willowtree Farm - pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), strawberries, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, petting zoo, school tours
  975 Regional Road 21, Port Perry, ON L9L 1B5. Phone: 905-985-4973. Email: willowtreefarm@sympatico.ca. Open: call for pick your own season. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. Fax: 905-985-1955 call for specific harvest datesCome out and make memories with your family in our pick-your-own patch! A wagon will transport you to our berry filled fields for an adventure your family will talk about for years! $5 per person (2019 price), to be credited off your berries picked. Bring your own containers or purchase a container at the farm. Weather dependent - please call ahead to ensure our fields are open.Strawberries and raspberries are typically in the firtst half of July. 2019 strawberry price was $3.25/lb, raspberries were $5/lb, Wagon ride amount is credited off of the total amount of berries picked. Weather dependent. Please call ahead to ensure picking fields are open. (UPDATED: August 31, 2020 JBS)

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)
• Hutchinson Farm - currants (red and black), pumpkins, raspberries (red),
  6202 Walkers Line, Burlington, ON L7M 0R3. Phone: 905-335-2515. Email: thefarmer@hutchinsonfarm.ca. Open: Weekdays 9 am to 6:00; Weekends 9 am to 5:00. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards.
  Hutchinson Farm Facebook page. is a family operated farm nestled in the Niagara Escarpment. We only sell what is grown on our fields and in our greenhouses. If commercialized farming, gift shops, or the chaos of "farm entertainment" is not your cup of tea, our farm may be what you're looking for!. Typical harvest dates are: Raspberries usually in late June and most of July. Fall raspberries mid-Sept - frost. Red Currants usually mid-June - early July; Black Currants: usually July and Pumpkins: October. All our other produce (strawberries, tomatoes, etc.) is picked by us, and is for sale at our store in season.
• Rae's Farm - apples strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins
  Britannia Road, Hornby, ON . Phone: 905-878-7708. Open: daily June - Nov; Strawberries Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm; Saturday, & Sun. Click here for a map and directions. . From Highway 401, go south on Trafalgar Road to Britannia Road; turn left and go 1 km 8 am to 4 pm; Raspberries 8 am to 1 pm; Apples daily 9 am to 5 pm.

Peel (Brampton, Caledon, Mississauga)

• Dixie Orchards - apples, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), raspberries (black),
  14309 Dixie Road, Caledon, ON L7C 2M8. Phone: 905-838-5888. Email: paul@dixieorchards.com. Open: 10 am to 6 pm when produce is in season. Directions: 1 kilometer north of King Street. 410 north to Mayfield Road, turn right and immediately left onto Dixie Road. Take Dixie Road north for 5 minutes. We are 1 kilometer north of King Street in Southern Caledon. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards.
  Dixie Orchards Facebook page. Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesApples September 1st - October 31stFree wagon rides Free corn maze Free straw jump. (UPDATED: February 25, 2020)
  Comments from a visitor on October 18, 2010: "Hi. I visited the today, and it was great. I phone first and was told the apples are all picked off the trees, but when I said I wanted to make applesauce, he told me there were plenty on the ground I could pick. So my kids and I went and found lots of good apples for $8/bushel. I picked one bushel of Empire, and one of Cortland. He recommended the Cortland for the apple sauce. He was the owner, and very friendly and helpful."
• Downey's Farm Market - apples, raspberries (Spring, red), strawberries, Turkeys, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, face painting, petting zoo, farm animals, school tours
  13682 Heart Lake Road, Caledon, ON L7C2J5. Phone: 905-838-2990. Email: info@downeysfarm.com. Open: Strawberry, Raspberry and Apple picking hours vary please see website for details. Directions: From Toronto, take Highway 401 to Highway 410 North. Exit on Mayfield Road, Turn Left \(West\). Turn Right \(North\) on Heart Lake Road. Downey\'s is located 5km North on right side of the road, just North Of Brampton. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. From Toronto, take Highway 401 to Highway 410 North. Exit on Mayfield Road, Turn Left (West). Turn Right (North) on Heart Lake Road. Downey's is located 5km North on right side of the road, just North Of BramptonDowney's Corn Maze Adventure is open August 15th to the end of October - night mazes available to groups over 20, please call for availability; Downey's Pumpkinfest is open weekends from the last weekend in September to the end of OctoberDowney's hosts numerous events throughout the year. Some of the events include: Downey's Easterfest and Egg Hunt, the July 1st Canada Day Strawberry Festival, Clip Clop the Donkey's Birthday Party Celebration, Downey's Corn Maze Adventure, Downey's Pumpkinfest and Lunch with Santa. Downey's also is a venue for corporate events and picnics, school tours and birthday parties!
• Sunny Acre Farms - Raspberries (red), black currants, red currants,
  9519 Winston Churchill Blvd, Brampton, ON . Phone: 905-867-5629. Open: Call or see their website for dates and hours. Click here for a map and directions. 4 Km north of Steeles Avenue and 1.5 Km south of Hwy 7(Bovaird). They have the summer producing varieties available approximately the first week of July. Already picked Garlic: We are growing 5 varieties of garlic this year. Polish: storage is good with a hot rich flavourPersian: storage is excellent with a spicy flavour.Yugoslavian: storage is excellent with a naturally sweet flavour.Music: The majority of garlic grown in Ontario, storage is good with a medium strength. Russian: storage is good with a red colour and a little hotter

York (Aurora, Georgina, King, Maple Hill, Markham, Newmarket, Vaughan, Whitchurch-Stouffville)

• Brooks Farms - apples, beans, corn (sweet), currants (red and black), gooseberries, nectarines, other berries, peas, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), raspberries (Autumn, black), saskatoons, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Maple Syrup from trees on the farm, Fresh eggs, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  122 Ashworth Road, Mount Albert, ON L0G 1M0. Phone: 905-473-3246. Email: info@brooksfarms.com. Open: Mid February til end of October Hours Change Seasonally, Please visit our website for up to date hours and additional information. Directions: North on highway 404 to Newmarket. Exit on Vivian Road and go east to highway 48. Go north to Mount Albert Road, then east past Mount Albert 3 km to 122141 Ashworth Rd. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Brooks Farms Facebook page. North on highway 404 to Newmarket. Exit on Vivian Road and go east to highway 48. Go north to Mount Albert Road, then east past Mount Albert 3 km to 122/141 Ashworth Rd The dates listed below are approximately & vary depending on the year. Summer Strawberries: Mid June - Mid July. Peas (Regular, Snow & Sugar Snap): Mid June - Mid July. Summer Raspberries (Purple, Red & Black): Beginning of July - Mid August. Saskatoon Berries (Lasts for approx. 1 week): Beginning of July. Gooseberries: Mid July - Mid August. Red & Black Currants: Mid July - Mid August. Raspberries & Strawberries (ever bearing): Mid August - Frost. Apples (Ida Red, Macintosh, Golden Delicious, Royal Gala & Honey Crisp): Mid Sept- End of September. Squash (Acorn, Spaghetti, Hubbard & Butternut ) : Mid Sept- End of Oct. Pumpkins: Month of October.
• Organics Farm - Certified Organic, apples, currants (red and black), other berries, raspberries (red), strawberries,
  7550 19th Avenue, Markham, ON L6B 1A8. Phone: (905) 640-5206. Email: info@organicsfarm.ca. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Fax: (905) 642-6247 We are certified organic for all crops! We are a new small family farm that offers pick your own & ready picked small fruits and vegetables. Please visit our web site for complete product details & availability, or call the farm hotlinePick Your Own & Ready Picked Apples, Raspberries & Strawberries, Small Fruits and Ready Picked Vegetables.
• Robintide Farms - beans, peas, raspberries (red), strawberries, U-pick and already picked
  2720 King-vaughan Road, Vaughan, ON L6A 2A9. Phone: (647) 988-2720. Email: robintidefarms@gmail.com. Open: Monday: 12pm to 7pm Tuesday to Friday: 9am to 7pm Saturday and Sunday: 8am to 5pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards.
  Robintide Farms Facebook page. Strawberry season is middle of June to middle of July Raspberry season is middle of July to early August(UPDATED: August 31, 2020 JBS) (ADDED: June 22, 2018)

 

Raspberry

Raspberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Raspberries can produce an early summer crop or  a late summer and Fall crop. In the U.S. Spring / Summer raspberries (called florocanes) typically peak during June in the South, and in July in the North. The primocane varieties, which produce raspberries on shoots that come up each Spring are typically read from August until frost.

In addition to the variety a farm plants, the berries are ready at various times depending the local climate, such as which part of the state you are located. See this page for a list of raspberry festivals around the U.S.

And for those of you from the upper midwest through the west and up to Canada, if you are interested in Thimbleberries, see this page.

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - 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 raspberries, 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 raspberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries. 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.

Tips on how to pick raspberries

1. Raspberry bushes don't have thorns, but they are a pick prickly, so if you want to hold the stem while picking, a pair of lightweight gloves is helpful.

   Raspberries Nutritional Data
   (fresh)

   Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
   Energy	220 kJ (53 kcal)
   Carbohydrates	11.94 g
   Sugars	4.42 g
   Dietary fiber	6.5 g
   Fat	0.65 g
   Protein	1.2 g
   Vitamins
   Thiamine	(3%) 0.032 mg
   Riboflavin2	(3%) 0.038 mg
   Niacin3	(4%) 0.598 mg
   Pantothenic acid5	(7%) 0.329 mg
   Vitamin B6	(4%) 0.055 mg
   Folate9	(5%) 21 μg
   Choline	(3%) 12.3 mg
   Vitamin C	(32%) 26.2 mg
   Vitamin E	(6%) 0.87 mg
   Vitamin K	(7%) 7.8 μg
   Minerals
   Calcium	(3%) 25 mg
   Iron	(5%) 0.69 mg
   Magnesium	(6%) 22 mg
   Manganese	(32%) 0.67 mg
   Phosphorus	(4%) 29 mg
   Potassium	(3%) 151 mg
   Zinc	(4%) 0.42 mg
   Other constituents
   Water	85.8 g
   Units μg = micrograms � mg = milligrams IU = International units
   Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source:

   
   
2. A ripe raspberry is deep color with a plump, soft but firm feel. It will pull free from the plant with only a slight tug. The center will remain on the plant. Keep in mind, raspberries come in many colors: red, yellow, black, purple, so you want to pick the darker shade of whichever it is.
3. Pick only the berries that are fully ripe. Reach in between the stems to grab for hidden berries ready for harvest. Bend down and look up into the plant and you will find loads of berries that other people missed!
4. I find it helps to hold the stem with one hand, while picking with the other.
5. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
6. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down. Ideally, the collection containers should be wide so the pberries aren't more than a few deep.
7. Pick berries into a shallow container. If they get piled too deep they will crush each other.
8. Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunlight 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.

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them or freeze them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. DO refrigerate! Right after picking, place raspberries in the fridge. If your fridge tends to dry out produce, lightly cover the container.
3. Raspberries don't store for very long, usually just a few days. The reason the ones from the grocery store last longer is they are covered with fungicides!
4. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
5. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash  off the others, drain them and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) raspberries are less perishable than blueberries or strawberries, but refrigerate them as soon as possible after picking. Temperatures between 34 F and 38 F are best, but, be careful not to freeze the raspberries (while they are in the fridge)!
6. Even under ideal conditions raspberries will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase
7. See this page for illustrated freezing instructions.

Raspberry Recipes

1. Now, get ready to make raspberry jam - It is VERY easy - especially with our free
   raspberry jam directions - very easy! or for a jam with a little kick, try raspberry chipotle jam
2. And if you want to freeze them to use later, see my How to freeze berries page.
3. You can also make your own raspberry vinaigrette,
4. See this page for an easy recipe to make raspberry chipotle sauce

 

Raspberry Facts

• Raspberries are a very healthy food; packed with anthocyanins!
• Raspberries contain more vitamin C than oranges, are super high in fibre, lhave a good amount of folic acid, are high in potassium, vitamin A and calcium.
• The USDA says 1 cup of raspberries has about 62 calories.
• 11 cup of raspberries, not packed down weighs about 140 grams.
• An average raspberry has 100 to 120 seeds.
• Select plump, firm, fully raspberries. Unripe berries will not ripen once picked.
• Raspberries belong to a large group of fruits known as brambles, such as blackberries, in the plant genus Rubus.
• Raspberries come in red, yellow, orange, purple and black colors.
• Yellow raspberries are red raspberries that don't make red pigment.)
• In most areas, raspberries begin to bloom in late May or early June.
• Bumblebees, honeybees, and other wild bees love to visit brambles.
• 60-70 pints of fruits can be harvested from 100 feet row.
  Raspberries can be harvested from early summer through fall, usually right up until a freeze
• The United States is the world's third-largest producer of raspberries (FAOSTAT, 2013).
• Production occurs across much of the country, although most of it is concentrated in California, Oregon and Washington. California leads the nation in both black and red raspberry production (NASS, 2015).
• According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, the United States has 8,052 raspberry farms totaling 23,104 acres (Census of Ag, USDA, 2012).
• U-pick raspberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. A quart equals 1 and 1/4 pounds of fresh berries.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as raspberries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
• You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible.  Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.
• Want to go to a raspberry festival? See this page for a list!

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