Cathy MerrittSummertime in Toronto isn’t complete without picking and trying sweet and succulent strawberries that usually peak when the mercury rises. Thankfully, the 6ix is just a stone’s throw from farms that bear these scarlet delights.
We’ll be your trusty farm guides, ensuring you’ll have a fruitful outing. This article drops all the much-needed deets on Toronto’s best strawberry-picking spots, from their locations and prices to their opening times and added attractions!
Barrie Hill Farms
Address: 2935 Barrie Hill Rd, Springwater, ON L9X 1S8
Contact Details: (705) 728-0571
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 6 pm
- Sat to Sun – 9 am to 5 pm
Distance from Toronto: 115.6 km
Barrie Hill Farms, sprawling across a whopping 200 acres of strawberry gold, is a berry lover’s paradise.
Here, guests pay $7 to hitch a ride on the farm’s wagon and dive headfirst into the strawberry fields, Reservations aren’t required.
Fresh and mold-free strawberries await you here, and they won’t break the bank at just $3.49 per pound. But if you’re feeling a bit lazy or just want to skip the whole PYO deal, fear not; they have pre-picked strawberries ready too.
| Tip: Give the farm a heads-up call before visiting, as their opening and closing times really depend on the weather and season. |
Organics Farm
Address: 7550 19th Ave, Markham, ON L6B 1A8
Contact Details: (905) 640-5206
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 6 pm
- Sat to Sun – 9 am to 5 pm
Distance from Toronto: 49.2 km
Sustainable and chemical-free, Organics Farm is a clear-cut choice for strawberry enjoyers who love consuming organic produce.
As for fees, you’ll pony up $15 at the entrance, and this will score you a 2-liter basket to fill with the juiciest berries from their abundant fields. If you want to go beyond the limit, prepare $6 for every additional liter.
But don’t worry; they’re not out to rob you blind, as your $15 entry fee isn’t just a one-time cover charge. It’s a golden ticket that gets deducted from your total berry haul at checkout!
| Tip: Those looking for baked goods should visit from Wednesday to Sunday when the farm’s bakery whips delicious bread and pastries. |
Josmar Acres
Address: 568 Lynden Rd, Lynden, ON L0R 1T0
Contact Details: (519) 647-2025-
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 10 am to 5 pm
- Thu to Fri – 10 am to 5:30 pm
- Sat – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sun – Closed
Distance from Toronto: 92.2 km
Since opening its gates in 1974, Josmar Acres has continued a much-loved summertime tradition of letting visitors pluck strawberries from their U-pick patches.
Now, when it comes to cashing in on the berry bounty, your fees here are all about the heft of your basket, with a liter costing typically around $6.50.
In addition, Josmar Acres has farm-to-table goods beyond the fields. Near the patches, you’ll see a home market and garden (gardens toronto) center where you can snag homegrown and seasonal fruits, veggies, and even flowers.
| Tip: If a firsthand PYO experience isn’t your cup of tea (or if you don’t want your new boots to get soiled), save time and your good mood by ordering strawberries online. |
Robintide Farms
Address: 2720 King Vaughan Rd, King City, ON L6A 2A9
Contact Details: (647) 988-2720
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 10 am to 6 pm
- Sat to Sun – 10 am to 5 pm
Distance from Toronto: 53.5 km
With over 50 years of strawberry success, Robintide Farms is a certified berry royalty in Ontario. The farm has 25 acres of fields boasting 9 strawberry varieties, so you’ll never run out of nature’s candy to pluck here.
A 2-liter basket of strawberries is $13, the 4-liter is to $26, and the 6-liter hits $39. You can roll in with your personal basket, but the exact volume should be indicated in quarts or liters if you want to take it to the fields.
| Tip: You’ll receive store credits for returning their baskets undamaged. |
Applewood Farm Winery
Address: 55 Saintfield Rd, Sunderland, ON L0C 1H0
Contact Details: (905) 642-4720
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – Closed
- Wed to Fri – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sat to Sun – 9 am to 5 pm
Distance from Toronto: 95 km
If Applewood Farm Winery’s no-pet policy isn’t a deal-breaker, you should definitely hit their fields for a fam-friendly PYO getaway.
For a mere $14 per person, they’ll throw in a 2-liter basket. But if you’re downright hungry for more berries, you can purchase and fill additional baskets ranging from 2 to 8 liters.
Those who brought their little ones should beeline to Applewood’s play yard, which has a corn maze for kiddos who love exploring and plenty of space for tiny speedsters always on the run.
| Tip: You can rent some of the farm’s areas for private events, like photoshoots, birthday (birthday ideas toronto) parties, and more. However, Applewood doesn’t accept events set during the after-hours. |
Andrew’s Scenic Acres
Address: 9365 10 Side Rd, Milton, ON L9T 2X9
Contact Details: (905) 878-5807
Operating Hours: Daily – 8 am to 6 pm
Distance from Toronto: 59.3 km
Andrew’s Scenic Acres is a taste of the laid-back and magical countryside where the strawberries are absolute palate-pleasers.
The farm follows a walk-in system, so pre-booking isn’t mandatory, but you better prepare $15 for the admission fee. What you’ll get for this fair price is access to their 165-acre field and a day of PYO action.
Andrew’s Scenic Acres also has scenic trails, thrilling wagon rides, a vast playground, a confusing but fun corn maze, and more attractions that might make you fall in love with farm life and hate the city’s bustle.
| Tip: Keep your peepers on their website for the latest scoop on strawberry prices because, as of January 2024, the detailed breakdown of fees per liter isn’t available. Their strawberry-picking offers usually start on June 18 to 20, though, (and run until late-July), so check their website when mid-June draws near. |
Downey’s Strawberry & Apple Farm
Address: 13707 Heart Lake Rd, Inglewood, ON L7C 2K7
Contact Details: (905) 838-4777
Operating Hours: Daily – 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Distance from Toronto: 53.7 km
By mid-June, Downey’s Strawberry & Apple Farm blossoms into a vibrant haven for strawberry-picking.
Whether you’re eyeing 2 liters for $14 or gearing up for a berry-heavy basket clocking at 6 liters for $42, the farm has your strawberry-picking desires handled like a true boss.
Just remember a few of their ground rules for a seamless outing. These policies include not bringing your woofers to the farm, no sneaky tasting during the picking sesh, and collecting at least $7 worth of strawberries (this also applies to kiddos).
| Tip: Ensure a pleasant outing by keeping an eye on the weather forecast. Comfortable weather enhances the picking experience, especially since the fields here don’t have shade, and you’ll need to walk for about 5 minutes before reaching them. |
Strawberry Creek Farms
Address: 17471 Woodbine Ave, Newmarket, ON L3Y 4W1
Contact Details: (905) 868-9996
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 9 am to 6 pm
- Sun – Closed
Distance from Toronto: 55.3 km
When it comes to budget-friendly and high-quality berries, Strawberry Creek Farm is one of the major players.
Their usual price is around $3.25 a pound, but it’s better if you hit up their hotline or check their site for the freshest deets on their PYO rates. There’s also no appointment and no cover charge required; simply pay at the counter before heading home.
Oh, and those on the hunt for farm-fresh goodies can swing by their onsite market, where local produce like veggies, ice cream, meats, and poultry won’t drain your funds, unlike the sleazy big brands.
| Tip: The farm follows a first-come, first-served policy. Head here in the morning to prove the early bird gets the worm, or in this case, the strawberries. |
Brantwood Farms
Address: 251 Powerline Rd, Brantford, ON N3T 5L8
Contact Details: (519) 759-4383
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 9 am to 6 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 5 pm
Distance from Toronto: 102.7 km
Brantwood Farms has been a part of the strawberry-growing scene for over a century, and if this isn’t a testament to the exceptional quality of their service and fruits, we don’t know what is.
The farm has a prepaid basket deal that’s as sweet as a summer breeze. $15 gets you a 4-liter basket for a strawberry-picking fiesta that kicks off fashionably late in June.
Once you’re done plucking and collecting the bounties of the berry patch, proceed to their market for the freshest finds. Peas, beans, tomatoes, and flowers are their other top-sellers during summer.
| Tip: Brantwood is also a hot touring spot during the fall season. Their guides will lead the exploration while giving talks about food literacy, farm life, and more. |
Rock Garden Farms
Address: 16930 Airport Rd, Caledon East, ON L7C 2X1
Contact Details: (905) 584-9461
Operating Hours: Daily – 8 am to 7 pm
Distance from Toronto: 68.8 km
The 200-square-foot Rock Garden Farms is hard to beat if you’re looking for a one-stop market that also comes with U-pick berry patches.
PYO strawberries here will cost $4.50 per pound, which is also the minimum fee and weight you’ll have to hustle for. Additional charges depend on the extra weight you’ll be carrying to their counter.
They’re known for their fragrant parsleys, plump peaches, and pumpkins, too. Additionally, their homemade pies are bangers, especially the iconic blueberry pie.
| Tip: Learn about the farm’s in-season products and get the scoop on upcoming events with its news and announcements page. |
Heeman’s Farm
Address: 20422 Nissouri Rd, London, ON N0M 2P0
Contact Details: (519) 461-1416
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 5 pm
Distance from Toronto: 185.4 km
Heeman’s Farm’s greenhouse is a crowd magnet, but their 300-acre field with strawberry patches is also equally enticing.
The PYO promos they provide offer a lot of flexibility and variety. Their 2-liter basket will cost you $9.75, but if you’ve got your Heeman basket from home, the staff will cut you a deal at $8.75.
If you’re feeling extra berry-hungry, the 4-liter basket with strawberries is up for grabs at just $16.75. These baskets can be filled with different types of strawberries, including Jewel, Wendy, and Malwina.
| Tip: Check the farm’s guide on the key characteristics of every strawberry variant they have. |
Tigchelaar Berry Farms
Address: 4159 Jordan Rd, Jordan Station, ON L0R 1S0
Contact Details: (905) 658-2265
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 8 am to 7 pm
- Sat – 8 am to 5 pm
- Sun – Closed
Distance from Toronto: 102.1 km
You can savor the two decades of excellence at Tigchelaar Berry Farms through their delicious strawberries.
The PYO strawberries come for $4 per liter, and the farm supplies the baskets for your convenience. Visitors can bring their baskets, too, as long as their volumes are indicated in liters.
Within the farm’s reach, there’s also a barn market packed with baked goods and veggies. You can give it a whirl if you love cookies, pies, and asparagus.
| Tip: For wholesale inquiries, contact them through their website. |
Forsythe Family Farms
Address: 1025 Cragg Rd, Uxbridge, ON L9P 1R3
Contact Details: (905) 887-1087
Distance from Toronto: 84.4 km
Forsythe Family Farms is one fruity spot families shouldn’t pass on. The locale is charming, with good old farmside serenity and a whole lot of activities you can’t do in the urban jungle.
Regarding their deals, you need a minimum of one basket for every two adults to access their strawberry fields.
However, as of January 2024, their prices for the upcoming picking season aren’t posted yet, so keep an eye out on their website or Insta.
Beyond the berries, Forsythe provides a farm-fun extravaganza, from hanging with animals and going on scavenger hunts to strolling peaceful trails and frolicking in playgrounds.
| Tip: You can take service dogs to the farm, but other types of pets aren’t allowed. |
