We’re in the final weeks of peak apple-picking season here in Ontario, and if you haven’t yet made a day of this classic fall ritual, now is the time to pencil it in! There are several farms within an hour of the city with abundant orchards where you can PYO, so a day trip is totally sufficient. Choose your location and head out to stock up on the freshest, tastiest local fruits and enjoy some quality time with your family or friends.
Here’s where to go apple picking around Toronto.
Downey’s Strawberry & Apple Farm
This 206-acre family farm is just 40 minutes north of the city of Caledon. Currently, Jonagold, Mutsu, Northern Spy, Red Fuji, and Empire are in season and ripe for picking until October 31st. Guests can choose a 10 lb bag for $25, or a 20 lb bag for $40. There’s no admission for the farm, but an $8 minimum pick per person is required.
The Apple Orchard
The Apple Orchard is just outside of Hamilton and boasts over 10,000 apple trees and a 5-acre pumpkin patch. Braeburn, Fuji, Red Jonagold, Northern Spy, and Golden Delicious are ripe for picking until mid-late October. Admission to the farm is $8.85, which includes wagon rides, a corn maze, and access to the walking trails. PYO apples are $2.25 per pound.
Albion Orchards Apple Farm & Country Market
Take a weekend drive out to Albion Orchards in scenic Caledon for a day of apple and/or pumpkin picking. Choose from Ida Red, Macintosh, Cortland, Northern Spy, Granny Smith, and more. Get a 10 lb bag for $20, or a 20 lb bag for $40.
Applewood Farm
One of the first pick-your-own strawberry and apple farms in Stouffville now includes 32 acres of apples and strawberries. Take a 45-minute drive from Toronto and spend a day browsing the orchard aisles for Ambrosia, Spartan, Spencer, Red Delicious, and more. Admission is $10 per person for ages 3 and up, and apples are $15 for a 10 lb bag and $25 for a 20 lb bag.
Organics Farm
Since 2004, this certified organic farm just outside of Markham has been growing crops entirely free of pesticides and herbicides. Ambrosia, Honey Gold, Liberty, and Crimson Crisp, are all ready to pick around mid-October. Admission to the farm is $15 per person 3 years old and up, which includes a 5 lb bag of pick-your-own apples. Get an additional 5 lb bag for $12, a 10lb bag for $24 and $20 lb bushel for $48.
Watson Farms
This family farm in Bowmanville just east of Oshawa has been offering PYO apples since 1970. McIntosh, Gala, Snowflake, Cortland, Honeycrisp, and more are ripe for picking currently, and apples are $2.75 per pound. Admission to the farm is 5$ for adults, and $3 for children, which includes the petting zoo, wagon rides, and access to the fields.
Luna Farms
This fruit farm in the scenic Niagara Escarpment in Stoney Creek offers over 5,000 apple trees. U-pick is available on the weekends, and the farm is currently picking Honeycrisp, Imperial Gala, Jona Gold, Regal Gala, Jona Star, and Cortland apples. Admission is free, and a 5 lb bag of apples is $10.
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