If you’re looking for a delightful way to spend time outdoors, consider heading to a local farm for some U-pick fun. Harvesting your own fresh fruits and vegetables not only provides a memorable experience but also allows you to enjoy locally grown produce at a reasonable cost.
Farms all over the country offer pick-your-own opportunities for a variety of seasonal produce like strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and more. Beyond just picking fruits and veggies, many farms provide additional entertainment options suitable for all ages, such as corn mazes, petting zoos, and wagon rides, making it possible to turn a simple outing into a full day of rural enjoyment.
It’s important to note that the timing for each crop can vary each year and by region, so it’s advisable to check the harvest calendar for your area and contact local farms via phone or social media to confirm availability before planning your visit. To help you get started, here are 15 Canadian U-pick farms worth exploring this year.
Starting in Abbotsford, B.C., Maan Farms offers raspberry, blueberry, and strawberry picking, with the added convenience of strawberries grown at standing height to eliminate the need for kneeling. The farm also features a Barnyard Adventureland with farm animals and a zipline for kids to enjoy.
Another Abbotsford gem is Taves Family Farms, where visitors can pick strawberries, apples, goji berries, pears, plums, and pumpkins. Additionally, the farm offers attractions like a petting barn, sunflower garden, pumpkin patch, and hay rides later in the season.
In Kelowna, B.C., Twin Oaks Organic Orchard beckons with its picturesque setting and a variety of U-pick fruit crops including apples, cherries, apricots, peaches, and pears. Visitors can also explore the on-site shop selling honey, eggs, and fresh hazelnuts.
Moving to Foothills County, Alta., The Saskatoon Farm is a family-run destination just a short drive from Calgary, offering saskatoon berries, sour cherries, apples, and blackcurrants for picking. The farm boasts a diverse range of amenities such as a farmers’ market, garden centre, restaurant, and bakery.
Venturing to Red Deer County, Alta., Eagle Creek Farms provides a U-pick experience for a variety of vegetables like potatoes, carrots, peas, beans, onions, and zucchini. Additionally, visitors can indulge in cutting their own fresh flowers, including gladioli, sunflowers, and zinnias, with the added attraction of a sunflower maze opening in mid-August.
In Saskatoon, Rhodes’ Raspberries and Blackcurrants offers a selection of berries for picking, including red, black, and yellow raspberries, blackcurrants, and saskatoon berries. For those missing the U-pick season, the farm also sells frozen berries, juice, jams, and sorbet.
Traveling to Portage la Prairie, Man., Riverbend Orchards invites guests to pick cherries, saskatoon berries, haskap berries, and gooseberries, with apples becoming available later in the summer. The farm also allows for pre-ordering pies, plants, and berries for convenient pickup.
A short drive from Toronto, Andrews Farm Market and Winery in Milton, Ont., boasts a wide range of U-pick options spanning from rhubarb and asparagus to strawberries, currants, raspberries, and more. Visitors can also explore fields of U-pick peonies, dahlias, and sunflowers, as well as enjoy family-friendly attractions like wagon rides and farm animals.
Located near Niagara Falls, Dutchyn Farms in Niagara-on-the-Lake offers pick-your-own peaches, nectarines, plums, and seedless grapes. The farm features a tractor-drawn wagon for orchard tours and a market selling pre-picked fruits.
For a family-friendly experience in Hampton, Ont., Pingle’s Farm Market provides a diverse array of fruits and vegetables for picking, including strawberries, blueberries, peas, beans, corn, peppers, and apples. Visitors can also engage with farm animals, enjoy wagon rides, and explore corn mazes and a pumpkin patch.
Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., is home to Quinn Farm, offering U-pick apples, strawberries, blueberries, corn, pumpkins, potatoes, and even Christmas trees. The farm includes a play yard, animal barn, and a farm shop offering baked goods and locally sourced meat.
In Sackville, N.B., Trueman Blueberry Farms is a family-owned farm where visitors can pick high-bush and wild blueberries, along with other seasonal produce like tulips, rhubarb, raspberries, and pumpkins. The farm’s retail store features homemade ice cream, preserves, and baked goods.
Aylesford, N.S., is home to Demp
