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

Strawberry 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 strawberries that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a province or region have strawberries 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)

• Bittersweet Farm - strawberries, blueberries
  8732 Toll Gate Rd., Straffordville, ON N0J1Y0. Phone: 519-866-3048. Open: Mid-July to end of Aug. Directions: Located at 8732 Toll Gate Rd. Click here for a map and directions. Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm; Saturday 8 am to 6 pm. Take Hwy. 19 south from Tillsonburg to Cty. Rd. 38 (Heritage Line) in Straffordville. Turn east and go 1.5 km to Toll Gate Rd. Turn south and go 1 km to farm on the left. We also have fresh picked baked goods, blueberries, jams/jellies, strawberries.
• Empire Valley Farm Market - blueberries, strawberries, pumpkins
  27983 Talbot Line, Wallacetown, ON N0L 2M0. Phone: 519-762-3504. Open: May to October, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm; Saturday 9 am to 5 pm; Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. 30 minutes west of London on Hwy #3, 27983 Talbot Line 3 km west of Wallacetown. We also have fresh picked asparagus, blueberries, corn, cucumber, flowers, peppers, preserves, pumpkins, strawberries, tomatoes.
• Mark Wales Farm Fresh Produce - Strawberries, vegetables, rhubarb
  3585 Imperial Rd., Aylmer, ON N5H 2R2. Phone: 519-773-7352. Open: Strawberries in June to July, farm stand open through October, daily from dawn to dusk. Click here for a map and directions. West from Toronto on Hwy 401, take Elgin Road 73 exit south to Aylmer (20 km), then continue south 10 kms to the farm right on the Hwy. We also have fresh picked beans, carrots, corn, eggplants, onions, peppers, tomatoes. Rhubarb Mid June. Herbs Beans July to October. Eggplant Mid August to September. Garlic August to September. Peppers Hot Sweet Green Sweet Red Late August to September. Tomatoes August to September. Spanish Onions August to September. (ADDED: June 10, 2014X)
• Meadow Lynn Farms - strawberries
  80 Decou Rd, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4K2. Phone: 519-426-4461. Open: daily from 8 am to 8 pm. Click here for a map and directions. at the south end of Simcoe, just down the road from the White Horse Plaza (Sobeys). (ADDED: June 10, 2014X)
• Rush Creek Wines and Orchards - apples, blackberries, blueberries, currants (red and black), other berries, pears, peaches, raspberries (yellow), raspberries (Spring, yellow), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), raspberries (Autumn, black), rhubarb, strawberries, other vegetables, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting
  48995 Jamestown Line, Aylmer, ON N5H 2R2. Phone: 519-773-5432. Email: winemaster@rushcreekwines.com. Open: 7 days a week: Monday to Friday, from 10am to 5pm; and Sundays from 12pm to 5pm. Directions: Exit off Highway 401 to Imperial Road South \(Hwy 73\). Go through the town of Aylmer and watch for Jamestown Line, turn right onto Jamestown Line and we are on the first farm on the left hand side. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Rush Creek Wines and Orchards Facebook page. Fax: 519-773-5431 Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesExit off Highway 401 to Imperial Road South (Hwy 73). Go through the town of Aylmer and watch for Jamestown Line, turn right onto Jamestown Line and we are on the first farm on the left hand sideCorn Maze is open from August 1st through October 31stOnline ordering available from our website. We can ship our wines anywhere in Canada. Watch for our events!
• Talbotville Berry Farm - beans, strawberries, tomatoes, Fresh eggs, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, picnic area, birthday parties, school tours
  11054 Sunset Road, St. Thomas, ON N5P 3R2. Phone: 519-633-1488. Email: talbotvilleberryfarm@gmail.com. Open: U Pick Strawberries Monday to Friday from 7 am to 12 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 7 am to 12 pm. Directions: Located 1km North of Talbotville on Highway #4. This road is also commonly known as Sunst Road or Colonel Talbot Road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Talbotville Berry Farm Facebook page.

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

• Ferguson Produce - Strawberries, Raspberries, pumpkins
  11026 Wellington Road RR#6, St. Thomas, ON N5P 3T1. Phone: 519-631-6589. Email: fergusonberries@on.aibn.com. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: 519-631-2492 Farm Near London. Also: Sweet Corn, Pumpkin festivals (Weekends in October).
• Great Lakes Farms - apples, pumpkins, strawberries, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
  5111 Union Rd, Port Stanley, ON N5L 1J2. Phone: 519-782-3433. Email: contact@greatlakesfarms.ca. Open: Strawberries Dawn to Dusk Apples Weekends in September, from 10 am to 5 pm; and Daily in October, from 10 am to 5 pm. Directions: Take 401 to Union road exit and take Union road towards Port Stanley, we are on the right side of the road, OR Take highway 4 south towards Port Stanley and follow the signs. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards.
  Great Lakes Farms Facebook page. Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesStrawberries: June-July Apples and pumpkins September-October
• 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
• Millar Berry Farms - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, currants (red and black), raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (yellow), rhubarb, strawberries,
  7375 Longwoods Road, London, ON N6P 1L2. Phone: (519) 652-2065. Email: millarberryfarms@gmail.com. Open: Please call us for hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Fax: (519) 652-3574Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesWe use integrated pest management practicesPick your own & roadside stand.
• O'Shea's Farm Fresh - Strawberries, Fall Raspberries, pumpkins
  34089 Stonehouse Line, Granton, ON N0M 1V0. Phone: 519-225-2600. Email: osheafarms@quadro.net. Click here for a map and directions. . 15 minutes north of London between Granton & Lucan, on Stonehouse line, 3 km North of #7 highway. Near London. Also: Sweet corn, pickling cukes, tomatoes, peppers, squash, beets, beans. Fall Festivals - 6 weekends before Halloween. Harvest schedule: June: Strawberries and Peas. July to September: Sweet Corn, Green and Yellow beans, Raspberries, Beets, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Peppers, eggplants, Onions, Potatoes, Dill and lots more. September to November: Squash, Pumpkins, Gourds, Indian Corn, Cornstalks, and Fallbearing Raspberries.
• The Strawberry Place - strawberries, and prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms
  338 Elginfield Road, Thedford, ON N0M 2N0. Phone: (519) 294-0070. Email: pickyourown@thestrawberryplace.com. Open: June, July. Directions: From Parkhill, take Highway 7 \(Elginfield Road\) west beyond Sylvan, and the farm is on the right hand side. \(Less than 10 minutes from Parkhill\). We are . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Fax: (519) 294-0827. From Parkhill, take Highway 7 (Elginfield Road) west beyond Sylvan, and the farm is on the right hand side. (Less than 10 minutes from Parkhill). We are open Our hours are: Every day 8am to 8pm. Strawberries typically available during June and July, but depends on the quality of the season
• 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.
• Viaene's Strawberry Farm - strawberries, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available
  7753 Walkers Drive, Strathroy, ON N7G 3h4. Phone: 519-719-9810. Email: gbviaene@bell.net. Open: Monday to Friday from 8am to 8 pm; Saturday and Sunday, from 8am to 6pm, June. Directions: 7753 Walkers Dr.\(9th concession Strathroy\) 1 road South of Strathroy, 1 km west of highway 81. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque. Fax: 519-245-1772 7753 Walkers Dr.(9th concession Strathroy) 1 road South of Strathroy, 1 km west of highway 81

Norfolk (Bookton, Maybee's Corners, Norfolk, Spring Arbour, Waterford, Wilsonville)

• Austins - Strawberries, Raspberries
  RR#1, Waterford, ON N0E 1Y0. Phone: 519-443-5837. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: 519-443-49091 mile south of Bostow on Reg Road #5. Near Simcoe.

Oxford (Blanford-Blemheim, Ingersoll, Tilsonburg, Woodstock, Zorra)

• Brus' Orchards and Winery - apples, raspberries, strawberries
  244263 Airport Road, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 4H1. Phone: 519-842-2262. Open: daily. Click here for a map and directions. ort Road, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 4H1 Sunday noon to 5 pm; Closed in AprilOn Hwy 19 (244263 Airport Rd), 5 km north of Tillsonburg and 15km south of 401 and Ingersoll, across from Coyle's We also have fresh picked apples, cabbage, corn, currants, flowers, peaches, pears, peas, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries, squash, strawberries, tomatoes.
• Red Barn Berries - peas, strawberries, and prepicked produce
  744716 County Rd 17, Woodstock, ON N4S 7V7. Phone: 519-537-3756. Email: info@redbarnberries.com. Open: 8 am to 8 pm Weekdays 8 am to 6 pm Weekends Payment: Cash, only. Directions: Take Hwy #59 North of Woodstock, Turn west on County Rd #17 2 concessions to the Big Red Barn with the berry on the side . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Red Barn Berries Facebook page. ty Rd 17, Woodstock, ON N4S 7V7 Crops are usually available in June, July

 

Strawberry

Strawberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

In the U.S. strawberries typically peak during April in Florida and Texas, May in the deep South, and in early June in middle sections and later June in the far North and Canada. Keep in mind that crops are ready at various times of the month depending on which part of the state you are located. In order to produce good local strawberries, producers depend on ideal spring weather conditions. 

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - strawberries are affected by weather (both rain and cooler temperature) 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 strawberries, 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 strawberries 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 Strawberries

1. Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.

2. With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.

3. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. 

4. Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.

5. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down.

General Picking Tips

Whether you pick strawberries from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Be careful that your feet and knees do not damage plants or fruit in or along the edge of the row.
   
2. Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.
   
3. To help the farmers, also remove from the plants berries showing rot, sunburn, insect injury or other defects and place them between the rows behind you. If they are left in the plants, the rot will quickly spread to other berries.
   
4. Berries to be used immediately may be picked any time, but if you plan to hold the fruit for a few days, try to pick in the early morning or on cool, cloudy days. Berries picked during the heat of the day become soft, are easily bruised and will not keep well.
   
5. Avoid placing the picked berries 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. Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor and tends to shrivel.
   
6. For interesting and fun strawberry facts and trivia from the California Strawberry Commission, click here!

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
3. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash and cut the caps (green tops) off the others and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) See this page about how to freeze strawberries.
4. If you like the strawberries you picked, ask the farm what variety they planted, and not the weather conditions the week or two before. The flavor of a strawberry is affected by the variety, the weather and the degree of ripeness when picked.
5. Now, get ready to make strawberry jam. It is VERY easy - especially with our free strawberry jam instructions - they're illustrated and easy.

Strawberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Strawberries

• How to freeze strawberries!
• Strawberry jam (with pectin) (uses less sugar or honey and less cooking)
• Strawberry jam (without pectin) (requires much more sugar and cooking)
• Strawberry (and other berry) jams without sugar
• Strawberry jelly
• Strawberry-rhubarb jam!
• Homemade strawberry ice cream (regular, low fat, nonfat, low sugar, vanilla and even gelato)
• Canning strawberries
• Make gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries
• How to make fruit juice -  strawberry and other berries
• Strawberry pie filling
• Strawberry pie
• Easy Rhubarb-Strawberry pie
• Fig-strawberry jam
• Fig-strawberry jam, made with Jello gelatin

Strawberry Facts, Measurements and Tips

• Picking the best strawberries: Select firm, fully red berries. Strawberries DO NOT continue ripen after they are picked! In the photo, only the berry on the far right is completely ripe.
• Strawberry festivals: Most areas that grow strawberries have a strawberry festival, at which you can taste all kinds of fresh strawberry foods, pies, jams, cakes - and most commonly, fresh strawberry shortcake.  To find out where and when there is one near you, see this page for a list of strawberry festivals, sorted by state!
• Strawberries measurements: government agriculture websites tell us that
  1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups and is about the same as 1 liter and
  1 quart of fresh strawberries weighs 1 lbs to 1.25 lbs (or 450 to 600 g). Of course, the weight varies on variety and weather conditions. 
  1 quart is normally enough for 4 servings, although I'll admit my son can eat 1 pint by himself!
• How much to pick? In general, 1 quart of fresh, whole, just-picked strawberries = approximately 3.5 cups hulled, whole berries. In other words, removing the caps/hulls and the occasional mushy berry means you lose 1/4 cup to 1/2 (it depends how much fruit you remove with the hull) or about 7 to 12% of every quart you pick.
• One cup of strawberries contains only about 50 calories
• U-pick strawberries are much healthier than store-bought.  Consumer reports says store bought strawberries have so many pesticide and fungicide residues on they, that they don't recommend you eat them at all!
• U-pick strawberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. 1 lbs of fresh strawberries is about 2/3 of a quart.
• It takes about  10 to 15 minutes to pick a quart, if the berries are reasonably plentiful
• The strawberry plant adapts to wide variety of soil conditions, but does not tolerate drought well, and the berries quickly rot if the weather is rainy. For this reason, the plants are usually grown on raised beds through plastic mulch!
• Cultivation of strawberries began in Europe in the 1300's, but the berry only became very popular in the early 1900's in California.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as strawberries 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 grow your own strawberries?  Here's an article about how to: Strawberries are an Excellent Fruit for the Home Garden, HYG-1424-98!
• See this page for many more fun and interesting strawberry facts, nutritional information and trivia

Other weird strawberry facts

• Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
• Strawberries were originally called strewberries because the fruit was 'strewn' amongst the leaves of the plant.
• California is king of strawberry productions because: California produces 75 percent of the nation's strawberry crops; one billion pounds of strawberries each year.  If all the strawberries produced in California in one year were laid berry to berry, they would go around the world 15 times. Each acre of land in California in strawberry production produces an average of 21 tons of strawberries annually, with a total of 23,000 acres of strawberries planted in California each year.

More conversions

1 pint (2 cups)  of fresh whole strawberries

• = about 8 oz (1/2 lb) of strawberries
• = 2.25 cups of sliced strawberries
• = 1 cup pureed strawberries
• = 12-14 large strawberries

2 quarts of fresh strawberries are needed for a 9" pie

A 10 oz package of frozen berries is about the same as 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries

References:

• University of Illinois Extension
• Driscolls
• Ohio State University Extension
• Strawberries-Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent

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