There’s something deeply satisfying about eating a raspberry straight from the bush — preferably with a few more tucked into your basket for tomorrow’s jam, pie or breakfast.
Ontario’s raspberry season is relatively short, which makes it all the more reason to get out there while the picking is good. From farms just outside the GTA to berry patches in Muskoka, Ottawa and Thunder Bay, we’ve rounded up some great places to pick your own raspberries across Ontario.
When Are Raspberries in Season in Ontario?
Raspberries generally come into season in Ontario during the summer months, but exactly when you’ll find them depends on where you are in the province — and what Mother Nature has been up to.
Ontario is a big, BIG place, after all. Raspberry season around the GTA can look very different from raspberry season in Thunder Bay.
There are also both summer-bearing and fall-bearing raspberry varieties, meaning some farms can have berries available later in the season.
When picking, look for plump, brightly coloured berries that release easily from their stems. Raspberries are delicate little things, so resist the urge to pile or squish them into an overflowing container.
As for the particularly ripe ones that might not survive the trip home? We’ll leave you to figure out what to do with those.
Downey’s Strawberry & Apple Farm, Caledon
downeysupickfarm.ca
A longtime favourite for pick-your-own adventures near the GTA, Downey’s Strawberry & Apple Farm offers seasonal raspberry picking at its Caledon farm.
The farm supplies picking baskets in several sizes, making it easy to choose between gathering just enough berries for snacking or heading home with a serious haul for jam, baking and preserving.
Downey’s raspberry season can be short, so check the farm’s picking updates before heading out.
Make a day of it: Downey’s is also well known for its strawberries and apples, giving you a few good excuses to return throughout the growing season.
Andrew’s Scenic Acres, Milton
andrewsscenicacres.com
There’s plenty more than raspberries growing at Andrews Farm Market & Winery.
The Milton farm offers an impressive selection of seasonal pick-your-own crops, including raspberries and plenty of other berries and fruit throughout the growing season.
Once your baskets are full, stick around and explore the farm. With its farm market, winery and other seasonal activities, Andrews makes an easy summer day trip from Toronto, Hamilton and the surrounding GTA.
Good to know: With so many different crops grown here, what’s available for picking changes throughout the season. Check the farm’s latest picking conditions before visiting.
Belluz Farms, Thunder Bay
belluzfarms.on.ca
Need proof of just how far Ontario’s berry season stretches? Head north.
Located near Thunder Bay, Belluz Farms offers seasonal pick-your-own raspberries alongside strawberries, blueberries, peas and other crops grown on the farm.
Because the growing season here can be weeks behind parts of southern Ontario, Belluz is a great reminder that raspberry season isn’t happening everywhere in the province at once.
After picking, stop by the Farm Store and Harvest Café to see what else is fresh from the fields.
Good to know: Crop availability can change from day to day. Check Belluz Farms’ current harvest information before heading out.
Leisure Farms, Sturgeon Falls
shopleisurefarms.ca
If your summer road trip takes you north, save some room in the car for a basket of berries.
Located along the Sturgeon River, Leisure Farms grows strawberries and raspberries and offers seasonal pick-your-own opportunities.
There’s plenty of reason to linger after picking, too. The farm has become a family destination where visitors can picnic, enjoy wagon rides, pick up fresh baked goods and even roast marshmallows around the bonfire.
Basically, come for the raspberries and stay for a good old-fashioned summer afternoon.
Good to know: Northern Ontario’s growing season can be considerably different from southern Ontario’s, so always check what’s ready before making the trip.
Shouldice Berry Farm, Ottawa
shouldicefarm.com
Ottawa berry lovers have been heading to Shouldice farms for generations.
The family-run operation grows strawberries and raspberries at several locations around the Ottawa area. Pick-your-own raspberries are currently offered at the Richmond Village Farm on Franktown Road, so make sure you’re heading to the right Shouldice location before setting off.
Like any pick-your-own crop, availability depends on growing conditions and how quickly other eager berry fans have made their way through the fields.
Good to know: Shouldice operates multiple farm and roadside locations around Ottawa, so double-check the farm’s website for current raspberry picking information and directions.
Barrie Hill Farms, Springwater
barriehillfarms.com
For 50 years, Barrie Hill Farms has been welcoming visitors into its fields just outside Barrie.
Raspberries are among the farm’s many pick-your-own crops, with both summer and fall varieties helping to extend the berry-picking fun. Depending on the season, you might also find strawberries, blueberries, apples, pumpkins and other Ontario-grown goodies available.
Barrie Hill regularly shares updates about what’s ready for picking, so check the farm’s latest crop report before you make the trip.
Make a day of it: After picking, visit the farm market and café to see what else is being harvested, baked and prepared on the farm.
Taylor Farms of Muskoka, Windermere
taylorfarms.ca
Heading to cottage country? Add a berry-picking detour to the itinerary.
Located in Windermere, Taylor Farms of Muskoka has been growing berries since the early 1990s and offers seasonal pick-your-own raspberries alongside its popular strawberry crop.
Raspberry picking typically arrives around the heart of summer, although timing can shift depending on weather and growing conditions.
It’s an easy way to add a taste of Muskoka agriculture to a weekend of swimming, paddling and cottage-country exploring.
Good to know: Raspberry availability is weather-dependent, so check Taylor Farms’ latest updates before heading over.
Stay tuned for more ‘Where To Pick Your Own’ — including our guide to blueberries and cherries!
