One of my favorite summer activities is to visit the local farms and harvest seasonal fruits. But if you love peaches, just like I do, you’ll have to look for them elsewhere because you won’t find any at the U-pick farms in the area.
This is why locals, myself included, set out on a mission every summer to explore the nearby towns in search of farms that offer peach picking. Even though it’s about an hour’s drive, sometimes more, it’s a fun day trip worth having.
Below, I rounded up the best farms for peach picking near Toronto so you know where to go and what to expect.
1. Cherry Avenue Farms
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Website: http://www.cherryavenuefarms.org/
Location: 4303 Cherry Ave, Vineland Station
Picking season: Early July to September
Phone: +19055625481
Admission: None; only pay for a bucket
Drive Time (from TO): 1 hour
Cherry Avenue is a 200-year-old farm in the Niagara Peninsula, which is one of our go-to spots for cherry picking near Toronto(cherry picking in Toronto). From July to September, you can also harvest peaches here.
The picking schedule is weather-dependent and varies per year. Before you make the one-hour drive, you should call ahead or check their socials to inquire about the availability of the fruits.
They won’t charge an admission fee when you enter, but they will require you to pay for a bucket.
What I like the most about this farm is that they allow you to picnic after doing backbreaking work. They have plenty of shaded areas and tables, where you can rest, enjoy the scenery, and munch on freshly picked peaches before driving home.
Pro Tip:
Every person ages 4 and up must get a prepaid basket before entering the orchards. They only accept cash and debit cards.
2. Smith Two Century Farms
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Website: http://www.smithtwocenturyfarms.com/
Location: 400 Main St W, Grimsby
Picking season: August
In-season operating hours: Daily, 8 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +16478833333
Admission: None
Price: 3L $10, 4L $14, 7L $20, and 13L $30
Drive Time (from TO): 50 minutes
At Smith Two Century Farms, peaches usually ripen around August and only last for two weeks. Since you have a very small window to enjoy the harvest season, you should follow their socials to stay up-to-date and visit as soon as possible.
Here, they offer clingstone and freestone varieties, which means there’s a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you like peaches fresh or baked into a pie, they have the ideal varieties to suit your preferences.
They don’t allow picnics, but they do welcome dogs into the orchards as long as they stay leashed at all times.
Similar to other farms on our list, there isn’t an admission fee. You only have to pay for the basket, which you can get in a variety of sizes from 3L all the way up to a bushel.
Pro Tip:
During harvest season, they’re open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. However, they close the gates at 4:30 PM so arrive at an earlier hour.
3. Bridgman’s Farm
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Website: https://www.bridgmansfarm.ca/
Location: 20 Bridgman Ln, Stoney Creek
Picking season: Late July to August
In-season operating hours: Daily, 9 AM to 7 PM
Phone: +19056431506
Drive Time (from TO): 49 minutes
Located in Stoney Creek, Bridgman’s Farm grows a variety of fruit trees that ripen in the summer. Their peaches are usually ready for harvest in late July and last until August, but it’ll vary per year depending on the weather.
In favorable conditions, you can pick your own fruits for weeks at a time. But if harsh weather affects the supply, you might only be able to go peach picking on the weekends.
Since this is a small farm, it can get packed during peach season. They might limit the number of guests in the orchards, which means queues can get long.
Unlike other farms on my list, picnics aren’t allowed here. However, you can head to the nearby Fifty Point Conservation to indulge in your favorite sweets and other seasonal goodies.
Pro Tip:
To avoid the long queues during peak season, set an appointment ahead of time. Although they don’t impose a strict schedule, you should stick to the recommended schedule as a courtesy to other guests.
4. Parkway Orchards
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Website: https://parkwayorchards.com/
Location: 15000 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Picking season: Mid-July to Mid-September
In-season operating hours: 10 AM to 6:30 PM
Phone: +19052625097
Admission: $5
Price: $4 per pound
Drive Time (from TO): 1 hour 20 minutes
Every visit to Parkway Orchards has been unforgettable. The hour-and-a-half drive to the 19th-century town of Niagara-on-the-falls is worth it because there’s so much to do here besides peach picking.
At this sprawling 20-acre farm, they have 4,000+ trees. You have to pay $5 to enter the orchards, and you’ll be charged separately for the fruits you pick.
Their peaches are mostly sweet with a slight tangy flavor, making them perfect for eating fresh, baking, and even canning. For every pound you harvest, you’ll pay $4, which is higher than what other farms charge.
Before hitting the road, visit their shop where you’ll find keepsakes to make your trip memorable. You can also buy locally grown fruits here, as well as homemade pies to snack on during the drive back.
Pro Tip:
The operating hours will depend on the weather and the demand. Always call ahead or check their website for announcements.
5. Great Lakes Farm
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Website: http://www.greatlakesfarms.ca/
Location: 5111 Union Rd, Port Stanley
Picking season: August
In-season operating hours: Daily, 10 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +15197823433
Admission: $8.75 for Adults and Kids, $22 Season Pass
Drive Time (from TO): 2 hours 15 minutes
A little over two hours away from Toronto, you’ll find a 155-acre farm in Port Stanley called Great Lakes. They cultivate a wide variety of peaches, including Red Havens, Harrow Dawns, and Harrow Fair Peaches.
I like picking the Red Havens because they’re sweet, firm, and very juicy. Aside from eating them fresh, they’re the perfect addition to your desserts, especially baked goodies.
The best time to visit would be during Peach Fest, which takes place on the weekends of the harvest season. Aside from peach picking, you can enjoy other activities at the farm, such as tractor rides, corn mazes, zip lines, and petting zoos.
Plus, admission will be free for all during these weekends.
Pro Tip:
Don’t miss out on peach-infused treats at the shop. From muffins and ice cream to cider, they’ve got various delicacies for you to snack on.
6. Pardo’s Berrie Farm
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Website: http://pardosberriefarm.com/
Location: 7951 Talbot Trail, Blenheim
Picking season: Mid-August
In-season operating hours:
- Mon-Sat, 9 AM to 5 PM
- Sun, 9 AM to 4 PM
Phone: +15196762008
Drive Time (from TO): 3 hour
Located all the way in Blenheim, Pardo’s Berrie Farm is a three-hour drive, but it’s well worth the trip for its variety of fresh, pick-your-own crops. Alongside peaches, you’ll find blueberries and beans ready for harvesting around the same time.
Here, peaches are sold in an 11-quart basket. Although they provide containers for picking, you’re required to bring your own boxes for transport back home.
They only have freestone varieties. The fruits are within arm’s reach, so you don’t need to climb up ladders to get the ripest ones on top.
Pro Tip:
Make sure to call ahead to learn the picking conditions. The availability of the supply will vary depending on the number of people scheduled to visit.