Enjoy the sweet taste of summer and pick some fresh strawberries. Did you know there are several berry farms around Ottawa with pick-your-own fruit straight from the field? It is a fun, affordable family activity, and you’ll leave with amazingly fresh produce.
Berry picking season in Ontario typically begins in June with strawberries, followed by raspberry season in July and finally blueberry picking in August. The season depends on the weather and can change slightly each year, so check online before heading out to a farm.
Here are six berry farms around Ottawa where you can pick fresh berries.
Proulx Farm
Address: 1865 O’Toole Rd., Cumberland, ON
Opening for strawberry picking the week of June 19, 2023, this east-end farm has events from spring through fall. You can have some fun on the farm all summer since they grow strawberries, raspberries and blueberries for picking between mid-June and mid-August.
It’s a family-oriented location with play structures and a petting zoo for the kids to enjoy. There are also picnic tables, so feel free to bring your lunch. Pick-your-own berries are priced by the container size, starting at $4.50 for a 1-litre basket of strawberries.
Miller’s Farm and Market
Address: 6158 Rideau Valley Dr. N., Manotick, ON
You may know this family farm for its epic pumpkin season, but they grow produce year-round. Pre-picked strawberries are already available in mid-June, so check their social media for the launch date. Take a fun wagon ride to and from the berry fields between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays. Have a sweet tooth? Visit their shop where they sell an assortment of sugary treats.
Pricing starts at $7 for a one-litre container of strawberries. Typically, raspberries, gooseberries, and currents are ready for harvesting in July. Pricing varies per crop.
The farm is a great place to bring the kids since there are play structures to use, tractors to watch, and you can feed chickens or bunnies.
Shouldice Berry Farm
Address: 3451 Richmond Rd., 2901 Woodroffe Ave., and 2110 Merivale Rd., Ottawa, ON
You can pick ripe strawberries at three Ottawa farm locations, seven days a week from June 16 until the season ends. Empty baskets for picking are offered free of charge and the pricing is by container size, starting at $10 for a two-litre basket. They recommend bringing water and wearing comfortable shoes.
Les Vergers Villeneuve
Address: 1341 Rollin Rd., Saint-Pascal-Baylon, ON
Wine and berry lovers, head here! Les Vergers Villeneuve is a family-oriented berry farm and apple orchard where you can pick fresh fruit and buy the wine they produce.
Raspberry and blueberry picking typically begins mid-July and lasts three to four weeks, depending on the weather. Return in the autumn for apple and pear season.
Prices will be available soon; last year, it was $4 per pound of berries. You can also relax in the sun as you sample up to 16 varieties of fruit wines. Or, if you are visiting with a group, you can book a wine and cheese event. Orchard dinner events will also take place this year, and you can enjoy a locally cooked meal surrounded by greenery.
Avonmore Berry Farm
Address: 16365 4 Rd., Avonmore, ON
Spend the day with a friend on a 20-acre strawberry field—the estimated start of the season is on June 20, 2023. Raspberry picking follows in mid-July, and into autumn, they have a variety of vegetables, pumpkins, and apples available.
There are many activities for the little ones to enjoy on the farm, including sandboxes, tires, a hay mow and slides and swings to play on. The shop sells fresh baked goods, jams, preserves, snacks and ice cream cones.
Rideau Pines Farm
Address: 5714 Fourth Line Rd., North Gower, ON
Pick a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables directly from country farm fields. Haskaps and strawberries are available from June 15, 2023, and you can grab other fresh produce, such as asparagus and garlic while visiting.
Raspberries and currants will be available in July, and preserves in the market shop. Pick-your-own strawberries cost $4.50 a pound, while haskaps and currents are $8 per pound.
When exploring this summer, bring your CAA Membership
CAA Members save wherever they go, and memberships start from just $30 a year. You can save when dining out on your road trip, fill up the car, and save 3 cents a litre on fuel. You can view the list of 126,000 partner locations worldwide online.