It's Raspberry Picking Season!

Raspberries are now in season! Late July is when the Fall crop of raspberries are ready. Take the kids and go to a pick-your-own farm. It makes for a great activity and gets them out for a fun day. It's the best way to get ripe red raspberries, fresh from the bush. Eat them fresh, freeze them, or make jam! Picking berries never tasted so good!

And don't worry if you don't want to pick. Most farm will offer a selection of freshly picked raspberries (picked daily) at a much cheaper price than the supermarkets.

Here's a list of pick-your-own raspberry farms in the Greater Toronto Area:

Brampton - Downey's Farm Market
13682 Heart Lake Road, Brampton
Phone: 905-838-2990
www.downeysfarm.on.ca

Burlington – Hutchinson Farm
6202 Walkers Line, Burlington
Phone: 905-335-2515
www.hutchinsonfarm.ca

Hampton - Pingles Farm
1805 Taunton Road East, Hampton
Phone: 905-725-6089
www.pinglesfarmmarket.com

Markham - Whittamore's Berry Farm, Market & Pick-Your-Own
8100 Steeles Ave. E. Markham
Phone: 905-294-3275
www.whittamoresfarm.com

Markham - Organics Family Farm
7550 19th Avenue, Markham
Phone: 905-640-5206
www.organicsfarm.ca

Markham - Pine Ridge Farms
Warden Avenue, 1.5 km north of Major Mackenzie Dr
Phone: 905-887-9129

Milton - Andrews Scenic Acres
R.R. 5 , 9365  10th Sideroad, Milton
Phone: 905- 878-5807
www.andrewsscenicacres.com 

Milton - Springridge Farm
7256 Bell School Line, Milton
Phone 905-878-4908
www.springridgefarm.ca

Mount Albert - Brooks Farm
122 Ashworth Road, Mount Albert
Phone: 905-473-3920
www.brooksfarms.com

Uxbridge - Spring View Farms
11680 Durham Road 1
Phone: 905-852-2795

Uxbridge - Talisman Farm
2 km east of Highway 47 on Durham Road 21
Phone: 905-649-2101

Did we miss a great farm? This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it about it and we'll add it to this article.

Visit the Ontario Berry Growers Association for more info: www.ontarioberries.com

A few tips before heading out to berry pick:

Call before going to the farm for availability. When in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean! Also, rain can affect raspberry crops and since we've had a ton of rain this year, call ahead for picking conditions.

Check if the farm supplies containers or if you need to bring your own. Flater containers are better so you don't squish your berries.

Go picking early to avoid dissapointment, if the fields have been picked clean.

Do not heap raspberries more than 3 inches deep in your basket or they will be mush.

Bring drinks and snacks; you may work up a thirst and appetite!

Don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun.