By making a trip to a local farm, you're not only supporting the families that run them, you're treating yourself to bushels of homegrown goodness (and to a few relaxing hours outside of the city's smog). So skip the trip to FreshCo. and make a day of heading to these nearby fruit and veggie havens to do it like our ancestors did, sort of.
Here are the top places to pick your own fruits and veggies around Toronto.
Whittamore's Farm
It's just a quick drive or TTC ride north of the city to get to Whittamore's Farm in Markham, where the PYO season begins in mid-June. From strawberries and raspberries to green peas, snow peas, sugar snaps, beets and other veggies, this day trip will get you tons of homegrown goodness for as little as $1.25 a pound. Fun fact: Katie Holmes was once spotted berry picking here, so it's gotta be good.
Applewood Farm Winery
For the "DIY sangria" type of people, this family-owned farm is a better place to grab your ingredients. Actually better known for its apples and wine- and cider-making, Applewood is also open for PYO strawberry picking from mid-June to mid-July. For a true country experience, a wagon ride takes you to and from the strawberry bushes -- and after you've taken your pick, I suggest you sip on the farm's famous strawberry cider.
Reesor's Farm Market
Strawberries and sweet corn are the specialties of this little market, with the berries ripe for the picking during June and July. Be sure to stop and chat with one of the owners and take notes on their berry expertise -- they might even share a recipe or two. Pumpkins are, of course, also ripe for the picking come fall.
Farintosh Farms
Hidden in a little hamlet just northeast of the city is Farintosh Farms, where local-loving shoppers flock to hand-select fresh beans, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and more. The start of the farm's season depends on the weather, usually opening their PYO fields in mid- to late summer (but trust us -- it's worth the wait).
Organics Family Farm
Adding to the PYO fun, this local farm has been organic since 2001, growing their produce without pesticides, non-organic fertilizers or reliance on fossil fuels. Even their meat is raised naturally. Visit this family-run spot to pick your strawberries and raspberries in the summer and your apples in the fall.
Hutchinson Farm
It's really not that far a drive to Burlington, where this quirky farm offers pick-your-own raspberries, red currants and black currants all summer. Check off the rest of your shopping list while you're there, too -- they sell the rest of their field crops and flowers ready-picked, and you can bring home some herbs to plant in your own garden.
Wilmot Blueberries
This farm holds over 20 acres of blueberries (antioxidants everywhere!) that you can enjoy picking through old-fashioned style -- with the help of a small wagon. You can even refresh after a long PYO spell at their in-house Appleberries Cafe, which sells fresh baked treats and drinks sporting the fruit (blueberry tea, blueberry cupcakes, blueberry mousse cream puffs...). Caution: You may leave looking like Violet Beauregarde.
Downey's Farm Market
Pick your own strawberries, raspberries, peas and beans here in the summer, your pumpkins in the fall and Christmas trees (we know this doesn't really count) in the winter at Downey's, which is as much a fun fair as it is a farm. Ride a wagon, get your face painted, get jostled on the "jumping pillows" or, if you enjoy getting lost, give their corn maze a try. For the avid pickers, you can purchase a season's pass to the farm for $25.
Trapper Bob Farm
Strawberries and sweet corn are the crops you can pick at this interestingly-named but charming farm in Newmarket. Call them to verify PYO availability before trekking up there. And if you actually are wondering about the name, it's because the owner doubles as a raccoon trapper. We're not kidding.
Andrew's Scenic Acres
Whoever Andrew is, he's the king of pick-your-own. Starting in May with rhubarb and asparagus and running all summer and fall long with PYO apples, asparagus, blueberries, cherries, currants, elderberries, flowers, gooseberries, grapes, Indian corn, plums, raspberries and gourds, you'd think it doesn't get much better than this -- until you discover they also have an in-house winery. Cheers!
What did I miss? Add your suggestions in the comments.
Writing by Amanda Storey / Photo of Whittamore's Farm
by Staff via blogTO
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