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

Strawberry U-Pick Orchards in Simcoe area 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.

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Dufferin (Amaranth, Honeywood, Maple Grove, Mono, Orangeville, Shelburne)

• Birkbank Farms - Strawberries, Raspberries, vegetables
  6113 Wellington Cty Rd. 24, Orton, ON L0N 1N0. Phone: 519-855-6519. Email: birkbank@sympatico.ca. Open: mid Apr - late Dec. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: 519-855-6061Daily 9 am to 6 pm. PYO season 8 am to 8 pmTrafalgar Road north to Hillsburgh. Just 2km north. They have a market with a full range of fresh produce, bakery, homemade jams, crafts, gifts, asparagus, strawberries; some organic produce available. (UPDATED: January 31, 2013, jbs)
• Jenala Farms - raspberries, strawberries, and prepicked produce
  475080 Dufferin County Road 11, Shelburne, ON L0N 1S5. Phone: 519-925-5464. Email: info@jenalafarms.com. Open: July, August. Directions: Straight south from Shelburne 6.5 km >From Orangeville watch for our blue tourism Ontario signs on highway 10 and 109 . We are . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. erin County Road 11, Shelburne, ON L0N 1S5Fax: 519-925-2346 open Our hours are: Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm; Saturday 8 am to 5 pm; Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. Strawberries approximately June 28 - July 15 Raspberries approximately July 20 - August 5 Ready picked asparagus available at roadside mid-May to late June. Ready picked sweet corn and potatoes available August/September

Muskoka (Bracebridge, Huntsville, Port Carling)

• Brooklands Farm - Uses natural growing practices, strawberries, Maple Syrup from trees on the farm
  1375 Butter And Egg Rd, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1X4. Phone: (705) 764-1888. Email: info@brooklandsfarm.ca. Open: Late June to early July. Directions: 1km north of Hwy 118W at Milford Bay in Muskoka. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certificationAlways see our website for an update before coming out. We also produce Maple Syrup which is available late March onwards. We also grow potatoes and lettuces. We are a family farm and practice sustainable farming. We encourage eating locally and welcome children (for that matter adults) of all ages to learn and ask questions about farming and the importance of fresh produce. We grow about 5 different varieties that differ in maturity, flavour, taste and texture. Some are better for jam as they have a higher sugar content while others are large and fabulous looking and folks love them for eating and feasting their eyes on. During the berry season we have lots of berries available for pick-your-own die-hards and baskets of pre-picked berries for those of you who love berries but do not have the time, inclination or ability to pick! (UPDATED: September 07, 2021)

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

• Barrie Hill Farms - beans, blueberries, peas, raspberries, strawberries
  2935 Barrie Hill Road, RR#2, Barrie, ON L4M 4S4. Phone: (705) 728-0571. Email: info@barriehillfarms.com. Open: June, July, August, September. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: (705) 739-3549 . We are open The fruit stand: Monday to Friday from 8 am-8 pm; Sat 8 am to 5 pm; Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm. Pick your own fields: 8 am to 4 pm Saturday, Sunday & Holidays (Last wagon to the field leaves at 4pm) 8 am to 8 pm on Monday to Friday (Last wagon to the field leaves at 8pm) Crop report line (705)728-0571 6th Annual Blueberry Pancake Festival Saturday and Sunday near the end of July from 8 am to 3 pm both days .
• Clarke's Vegetables - blueberries, raspberries, strawberries
  1571 Nursery Road, Minesing, ON L0L 1Y0. Phone: 705-728-4369. Open: June to September; Call ahead for hours. Click here for a map and directions. Located 4 km north of Springwater Park (Hwy. 26) on Nursery Rd.
• Ego's Farm Market and Greenhouses - pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, peas, tomatoes
  596 Horseshoe Valley Rd., E., Coldwater, ON L0K 1E0. Phone: 705-326-9922. Open: daily from 9 am to 6 pm; strawberries 8 am to 8 pm. Directions: Located in the heart of Oro-Medonte Township on Horseshoe Valley Road, fifteen minutes drive from Orillia, and about 20 minutes from Barrie. Click here for a map and directions. We are . 8 km west of Hwy 12 and 18 km east of Hwy 400. We also have fresh picked beans, peas, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes. Farm market June to October, featuring farm fresh produce in season, such as fresh-picked sweet corn, strawberries, tomatoes, pumpkins and much more! We also welcome you to our farm to pick-your-own strawberries, raspberries, peas and tomatoes as well. Follow the Twitter feed on the Pick-Your-Own page for updates.
• Fernwood Farms & Market - blackberries, blueberries, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (black), strawberries, Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed), Honey from hives on the farm, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours
  7865 highway 26, Stayner, ON L0M 1S0. Phone: 705-428-3171. Email: fernwoodfarms@rogers.com. Open: Call for hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates- Rr#2
• Foster's Farm - Strawberries, Raspberries
  RR#7, Midland, ON L4R 4K4. Phone: 705-526-8149. Click here for a map and directions. . Fax:Near Midland. Also: Roadside market, Vegetables.
• Giffen's Country Market - apples, raspberries, strawberries, Farmstand
  55 Station St., Glen Huron, ON L0M 1L0. Phone: 705-443-8199. Open: year round Monday to Friday from 7 am to 5 pm, Saturday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Click here for a map and directions. We also have fresh picked apples, asparagus, corn, peas, preserves, raspberries, strawberries.
• Kent Kreek Berries - blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, and prepicked produce, restrooms, picnic area
  3173 Hwy # 3 West, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4J9. Phone: 519-426-0924. Open: June, July, August, September; Open all week from 9 am until 6 pm Strawberries: June 15-July 1, Raspberries June 25-July 15, Blueberries July 15-August 25. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. zelem@kwic.com 6 km West of Simcoe Ontario on Highway 3 (see website for directions)
• McArthur's Berry Farm - strawberries,
  441 Line 5 South, Oro-Medonte, ON . Phone: (705) 487-1754. Email: info@mcarthurberryfarm.ca. Open: during Strawberry Season from 8 am till dusk every day, weather and berries permitting. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates (UPDATED: January 07, 2021)
• Murphy's Farm Market - blueberries, pumpkins, raspberries (red), strawberries, restrooms
  5163 County Road 10, Alliston, ON L9R 1V2. Phone: 705-435-2141. Email: info@murphysfarmmarket.com. Open: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, May until October 31; Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during November and December. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Murphy's Farm Market Facebook page. (ADDED: August 25, 2015)
• Oak River Produce - Strawberries, Raspberries
  RR#1, La Salette, ON N0E 1H0. Phone: 519-582-0058. Email: mdmac@kwic.com. Open: call or email. Click here for a map and directions. Near Simcoe.
• 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.
• Sovereign Farms - Strawberries, Raspberries
  130 Lutesville Road, Waterford, ON N0E 1Y0. Phone: 519-443-4061. Email: sovereign.farms@selectcom.ca. Open: call or email. Directions: Near Simcoe. . Click here for a map and directions. Click here for a map.
• Thunder Beach Berry Farm - blueberries, cut flowers, raspberries, strawberries
  1369 Chemin du loup, Lafontaine, ON L9M2H7. Phone: 705 533-2345. Email: berries@tbbf.ca. Open: Fields are open for picking daily from 7 AM to 1 PM; Our Fruit Stand is open daily at 7 AM Until Sold Out. Directions: see their website. From serious berry eaters to families looking for a fun day in nature, everyone will LOVE their time at our farm. Subject to availability, we may have a variety of Apples this year. Pre-cut flowers, Peonies and Gladiolas are available by mid summer. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Thunder Beach Berry Farm Facebook page.
• 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)
• Visser Farms - strawberries
  4505 20th Sideroad, Gilford, ON L0L 1R0. Phone: 905-775-6956. Open: Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm; Closed Sundays; We are open June, July; Strawberries: mid June to mid July; Call the farm for exact dates. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: 905-775-5073 Take Hwy 11 to 13th line (between Hwy 88 and Hwy 89) Go east on the 13th line to the 20th sideroad. Go north on the 20th sideroad about one quarter mile to the farm. No pets or smoking on the farm premises. You may bring your own containers or purchase them at the farm. Contact the farm to arrange for pre-picked orders.

 

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