Updated for 2016: With summer finally here, many people enjoy an outing to pick-your-own strawberries in Toronto. The strawberry season typically lasts about a month beginning in about mid-June; however, strawberries can certainly be frozen for later enjoyment. Picking your own strawberries is obviously much cheaper than buying them from your local grocer: the average price of pick-your-own strawberries in Toronto is $2.50/lb. Why not gather your family or friends together and enjoy an outdoor excursion while picking this delectable fruit? (Leave your furry friends at home because most farms do not allow pets.) Below are several pick-your-own strawberry farms in the Toronto area.
Whittamore’s Farm, Markham
Katie Holmes and her daughter, Suri, went strawberry picking at Whittamore’s while Katie filmed The Kennedys in Toronto. The farm sells pick-your-own strawberries, raspberries, green peas, snow peas, sugar snap peas, green and yellow beans, beets and new potatoes and accepts VISA, MasterCard and Interac. Pick-your-own strawberries are $2.50/lb. There is a fun farm yard for kids and free wagon rides. Whittamore’s Farm is located at 8100 Steeles Ave. E. (6 km. east of Markham Rd.) in Markham, 905-294-3275. Open mid-June 2016 for pick-your-own strawberries Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring your own containers or purchase Whittamore’s 8.5 litre basket for $4. No pets, no smoking and only Whittamore’s food and drink permitted.
Reesor Farm Market, Markham
Reesor Farms offers pick-your-own strawberries, raspberries, and pumpkins. Pick-your-own strawberries cost $2.50 per pound and will be ready in mid-June 2016. Bring your own containers or pay $.50 for each container. The Reesor Farm Market is at 10825 Ninth Line, Markham, 905-640-4568. Take Hwy 404 to Major Mackenzie Drive, drive 11 kilometres east until Ninth Line, turn left on Ninth Line for 2 kilometres. The farm is on the right hand side. Hours are Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (June 2016 to October 2016).
Andrews’ Scenic Acres, Milton
This Milton farm sells strawberries, raspberries, cherries, currants, blueberries, and sweet corn on a pick-your-own basis, as well as cut-your-own flowers such as sunflowers, gladioli, dahlias, roses, lilies, peonies, and iris. Pick-your-own strawberries are $3 per pound. Open seven days a week from May 2, 2012 to October 31, 2012 including holidays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Andrews’ Scenic Acres is located at 9365 10th Sideroad in Milton, 905-878-5807 (enter Halton on GPS). Take Hwy 401 west to Trafalgar Road (Exit 328), drive north on Trafalgar Road for 7 kilometres to Sideroad #10 (Ashgrove), turn west to the farm, which is another 7 km.
Brooks Farms, Mount Albert
In existence for over 100 years, Brooks Farms, 122 Ashworth Road, Mount Albert, 905-473-6192 offers pick-your-own strawberries, raspberries, snow and sugar snap peas, gooseberries, currants, apples, squash, and pumpkins throughout the year. Strawberry picking is $1.90/lb. Drive north on Hwy 404 to Vivian/Mulock exit at Newmarket. Turn right on Vivian Road. Drive east to Hwy 48, turn left on Hwy 48 and turn right on Mount Albert Road. Drive 2 km. east to Durham 30 and Ashworth Road. The farm is ahead on the left.
Downey’s Farm Market, Caledon
Downey’s Farm Market, located at 13682 Heart Lake Rd., north of Brampton, 905-838-2990, has pick-your-own strawberries starting around June 17, 2016. Pick-your-own strawberries are $2.50 per lb. Bring your own containers or buy containers at the farm (bags are not allowed). There is a minimum $3.00 picking charge that will be deducted from strawberries purchased at check-out. Family play area includes calves, llama, sheep, rabbits, goats, and mini-putt golf. Open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and Holiday Mondays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Enjoy your outing at these farms where you can pick-your-own-strawberries in Toronto. What will you make with your strawberries when you get home?
