With berry season now in full swing, you may want to get out of the city and explore some farms in Ontario that are well worth the trip.
For a few short weeks every summer, these hotspots open their fields for pick-your-own adventures, and right now, it's blueberry season.
Blueberry season typically runs from mid-July through August, and while the exact timing depends on the weather and how long the berries have ripened in the sun, Ontario farms do grow a mix of lowbush and highbush blueberries ready for picking.
So, if you're planning a road trip to the countryside to pick some juicy berries, here are four farms near Toronto where you can pick your own blueberries this summer.
This family-owned farm is known for its well-organized, neatly maintained rows of blueberry bushes. This season, the farm is charging visitors by volume rather than weight. Although baskets are included in the price, guests can also bring their own as long as they're marked in litres.
Prices for the pick-your-own blueberries at Marcy's Berries are as follows:
Location: 1747 Valens Rd. in Valens, Ont.
Located about an hour and a half east of Toronto, Blackstock Berries is the perfect place to swap skyline views for green fields while picking your own berries. The farm specializes in blueberries, offering six varieties, and the picking experience is completely free. Guests pay only for the berries they pick, with pricing details available on-site.
Location: 13451 Old Scugog Rd. in Blackstock, Ontario
Wilmot Orchards has been growing fruit for many generations and is one of Ontario's best-known spots for blueberry picking. The farm features three blueberry patches and offers 11 varieties of highbush berries to pick and take home.
Guests can roam the fields and pick for up to 1.5 hours, with no admission fee from Wednesday to Friday; weekend admission is $5.30. Guests can book their picking time online beginning in August, when the pick-your-own blueberry experience will be available.
Location: 3377 Concession Rd. 3 in Newcastle, Ont.
If you want your blueberry-picking trip to double as a full-day outing, Andrews Scenic Acres, an hour's drive outside of Toronto, is a great choice. The farm offers seasonal pick-your-own harvests, walking trails, and farm animals, making it an easy day-long escapade.
Blueberries are just one part of the experience, and depending on when you visit, you may also find other fruits and vegetables ready for picking.
General farm admission, which includes access to the pick-your-own experience, is $17.49 plus applicable taxes. Andrews Scenic Acres is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and guests can book their visit online.
Location: 9365 10th Sideroad in Milton, Ont.
Remember, blueberry season only lasts a few weeks, so there's no better time to head out to the countryside and check out these farms near Toronto for your annual pick-your-own blueberry experience.
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