7 Best Places to Go Strawberry Picking Near Mississauga 2024
Looking for the best places to go strawberry picking near Mississauga? We have got you covered!
Not only is it a great family-friendly way to get outside and soak up the sunshine, but you also get to bring home some delicious fresh strawberries to enjoy.
We have some wonderful memories of the kids wandering through the local farms, looking for the perfect berries to pick.
And while we actually don’t have any strawberry farms in Mississauga, luckily, there are plenty of amazing places to go that are just a short drive from the city.
Ready to learn more? Let’s jump right in!
🍓 When Can You Go Strawberry Picking in Ontario?
Strawberry season in Ontario typically runs from late June to early July.
However, the exact timing can vary depending on factors like weather, location, and variety of strawberries.
For example, varieties of day-neutral strawberries like Albion, Evie 2, Seascape, and Tribute, have a longer growing season, so they can be found from May to October in Ontario!
It’s always a good idea to check with the farm or location you plan to visit. This way, you will know for sure if they have strawberries available for picking.
Keep in mind that strawberries are a popular crop and tend to get picked quickly.
We would definitely recommend planning your trip early in the season if possible to make sure that you get the best pick of the crop!
🍓 Can You go Strawberry Picking in Mississauga?
No, you can’t actually go strawberry picking in Mississauga.
Unfortunately, the city of Mississauga is mostly urban. There are very few areas of farmland still found within its borders.
While there are no strawberry farms located directly in Mississauga, there are several options for strawberry picking within a short drive from the city.
Many farms and berry patches in the surrounding areas offer strawberry picking as a seasonal activity for visitors.
The ones we have chosen to highlight in this post are all less than a one-hour drive from Mississauga, and all offer Pick Your Own.
🍓 Where Can You Go Strawberry Picking Near Mississauga?
Fortunately, there are a ton of amazing places to go strawberry picking near Mississauga.
Some of the farms are literally 20 minutes outside of our city limits! We have decided to break down the best farms to visit by city or region.
🍓 Strawberry Picking Farms in Brampton and Caledon
One of the best places to go strawberry picking near Mississauga is in Brampton.
Brampton is home to several really nice farms that not only have pick-your-own fruit, but many also offer other family-friendly activities as well.
1. Downey’s Farm
Downey’s Farm is definitely one of the more popular farms in Caledon.
This family-friendly attraction offers pick-your-own strawberries, raspberries and apples, as well as many seasonal events held throughout the year.
Located just a 5-minute walk from the parking area, the fields at Downey’s Strawberry & Apple Farm are open daily from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. When the strawberries are ready to be picked, you can typically expect about a three-week window before they are done.
When you arrive at the farm, all fruit is paid for at the time of entrance and clean baskets are provided.
Guests have the choice of picking a 2-litre basket for $14 (max of 2 people picking), a 4-litre basket for $28 (max of 4 people picking), or a 6-litre basket for $42 (max of 6 people picking).
A few things to keep in mind:
Strawberry Picking opens at approximately the end of June 2024
Address: 13707 Heart Lake Road, Caledon, ON
Admission: Free. Minimum purchase of $7 per person.
Website
2. Big R’ Apple Farm
Located in Brampton, the Big R’ Apple Farm has been family-operated for over 40 years. The farm is open on weekends only from 8 am until 5 pm for pick-your-own.
Big R’ Apple Farms offers pick-your-own strawberries beginning in mid-June.
Address: 8674 Heritage Road, Brampton, ON
Admission: Free
Website
3. Rock Garden Farms
Rock Garden Farms is a family-run country market.
Opened in 1988, the farm prides itself in offering the freshest produce daily, from beautiful flowers to fruits and vegetables.
Open 8:00 am-7:00 pm daily, the farm offers Pick Your Own strawberries in June and July.
Address: 16930 Airport Rd, Caledon East, ON
Admission: Free.
Website
🍓 The Best Strawberry Farms in Halton Hills
4. Andrews Farm Market & Winery
Depending on the weather, strawberries at Andrews Farm Market & Winery (formerly Andrews Scenic Acres) are usually available for Pick Your Own from late June until early July.
After your strawberry picking adventure, be sure to stop at the BBQ for lunch or ice cream (open weekends ONLY 11 am – 4 pm).
They also have some delicious options available in store!
Of course, the adults may also want to stop in at Andrews’ Winery.
The winery produces quality fruit wines from fruit grown right on the farm.
A few things to keep in mind:
Address: 9365 10 Side Road, Milton, ON
Admission: $15/person +HST. Kids under 5 are free.
Website
🍓 The Best Strawberry Farms in Markham & Uxbridge
5. Reesor’s Farm Market
Reesor’s Farm Market opens every year with strawberry season. Strawberries are one of the feature crops on our farm.
You can buy them ready-picked at the Farm Market or go right to the field and experience the fun of Pick Your Own.
Ripe ready-picked Ontario strawberries come from either the Reesor’s fields or other Ontario farmers.
Depending on the weather, strawberries from their own fields are usually available for Pick Your Own from late June until early July.
A few things to keep in mind:
Address: 10825 Ninth Line at Elgin Mills Rd., Markham, ON
Admission: Free.
Website
6. Forsythe Family Farms
At about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Mississauga, the Forsythe Family Farms is one of the furthest Pick Your Own farms on our list.
However, as they offer more than just fruit picking, you can easily spend several hours there with the family, making the trip worthwhile.
The farm season starts with strawberries. Head out to the fields where a fun family activity also puts food on your table!
Afterwards, take advantage of the barnyard adventure playground, walking trails (complete with workout stations!), wagon rides, small animal cuddle stations (think fluffy bunnies), pedal carts, a hedge maze, scavenger hunts, and so much more.
And don’t forget to head to the Farm Market where you can buy everything from fresh fruit and veggies to farm-fresh eggs, honey, and meat.
A few things to keep in mind:
Address: 1025 Cragg Road, Greenbank, ON
Admission: Minimum of one basket/box per 2 people to enter the fields
Website
7. Applewood Farm and Winery
At about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Mississauga, Applewood Farm and Winery is also a little more of a drive away.
But again, they offer more than just fruit picking. Spend the day at the farm with the kids, and the trip will definitely be worthwhile.
This family-run, family-friendly farm and winery has been in operation for more than 22 years.
Strawberry picking at the farm usually begins in late June. Just keep an eye on their website for the announcement that the strawberries are ready to go.
Afterwards, take advantage of the farm animals and children’s play yard for the kiddos. And for the adults, be sure to head into the wineries for a glass of their Strawberry and Rhubarb wine.
A few things to keep in mind:
Address: 2055 Saintfield Road, Seagrave, ON
Admission: $13 per person (ages 3-65 years) includes a 2-litre basket of strawberries
Website
🍓 What is the Best Month to Go Strawberry Picking?
In Ontario, the best month to go strawberry picking is typically late June to early July.
As we mentioned above, the strawberry season can vary slightly depending on the weather, location, and the specific variety of strawberries grown in the area.
However, in general, you can expect the peak of the strawberry season to occur during this time frame.
🍓 How Long is Strawberry Picking Season in Ontario?
The strawberry picking season in Ontario typically lasts for about three to four weeks, starting in late June and ending in July.
Again, the exact length of the season can vary depending on factors like weather and location.
Of course, we can’t emphasize enough, that strawberries are a popular crop.
We would definitely recommend planning your trip to the farm early in the season.
We have gone to farms to pick strawberries just a few weeks into the season, only to be disappointed that the best ones were already gone!
🍓 Types of Strawberries in Ontario
As we mentioned earlier, Ontario has many different varieties of strawberries available for picking. Some pick-your-own farms will advertise which strawberries are ready for picking, and how long the window is for that particular variety.
Some of the most popular varieties you will find when going strawberry picking near the Mississauga area include:
🍓 What Are the Best Types of Strawberries to Pick?
So in terms of variety, what are the best strawberries to pick in Ontario? It all depends on what you are planning to do with them!
Many strawberry varieties are perfect for baking, while some are better for making jams and jellies, and others are just right for eating as is!
🍓 Strawberry Picking Tips
Before you head out on your adventure at the Pick Your Own farm, there are a few things to know about strawberry picking:
🍓 Look for Shiny and Firm Berries
The best strawberries for picking are those that are shiny, firm, and have a deep red colour. Avoid berries that are mushy, have brown spots, or are unripe.
🍓 Check the Stem
When picking strawberries, look for those that have a green stem attached. This is a sign that the berry is ripe and ready to be picked.
If the stem is brown, it’s a sign that the berry is overripe and may spoil quickly.
🍓 Harvest the Strawberries Carefully
When you pick strawberries, grasp the stem near the top of the fruit. Carefully pinch and break the stem to release the berry without squeezing the berry itself.
Avoid twisting or pulling too hard, as this can damage the plant and reduce future yields.
🍓 Don’t Remove the Green Cap
Leave the green cap on the berry until you’re ready to eat or use it. This helps to keep the berry fresh and prevents it from spoiling too quickly.
🍓 Move Quickly
Strawberries are delicate and can spoil quickly, especially on a hot day. It’s important to move quickly when picking and to keep the berries out of the sun as much as possible.
🍓 Don’t Pick Any Underripe Strawberries
While it can be tempting to pick every berry you see, try to resist the urge to pick unripe berries. Strawberries will not ripen any further once picked.
🍓 Strawberry Storage
Once you have picked the perfect strawberries, the next thing you need to know about is proper storage. Of course, if the kids eat them all on the way home from the farm, you can just skip over to the next section! 😂
🍓 Don’t wash your strawberries until you’re ready to use them
Strawberries have a high water content, and washing them can make them more prone to spoiling. Instead, store them unwashed in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them.
🍓 Store your strawberries in the refrigerator
Strawberries are perishable and should be stored in the refrigerator to help extend their shelf life. You can place them in a container lightly covered in a single layer.
🍓 Use your strawberries within a few days
While refrigeration can help extend the shelf life of strawberries, they are still perishable and should be used within three to six days of picking or purchasing them for optimal freshness and flavour.
🍓 Freeze your strawberries for longer-term storage
If you have more strawberries than you can use within a few days, consider freezing them for longer-term storage. Simply wash and hull the berries, then pat them dry with a paper towel.
To freeze, place strawberries in a single layer on a large tray or cookie sheet. Freeze until firm (about one hour).
Once frozen, transfer the berries to a plastic bag or airtight container. Strawberries may be frozen whole or sliced, for up to twelve months.
Before using, thaw at room temperature.
🍓 Don’t store overripe or damaged strawberries
Overripe or damaged strawberries can spoil quickly and should be removed from the batch to prevent the spread of mould or bacteria.
🍓 Fun and Interesting Facts About Strawberries
- Strawberries are not actually berries, but rather a member of the rose family.
- The average strawberry has around 200 seeds on its surface.
- Strawberries are the only fruit that wears their seeds on the outside.
- There are over 600 varieties of strawberries grown around the world.
- The world’s largest strawberry was grown in Japan and weighed over 250 grams.
- The strawberry is the first fruit to ripen in the spring.
- Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants.
- The fragaria ananassa is the most common species of strawberry grown commercially.
- The United States produces the most strawberries in the world, followed by Spain and Turkey.
- Strawberries have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times and were believed to treat everything from depression to digestive problems.
🍓 Best Places to Pick Your Own Strawberries Near Mississauga – FAQs
Picking strawberries can be a bit of a workout, so be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting a bit dirty.
It’s not recommended to wear sandals for strawberry picking, as they may leave your feet exposed to potential hazards such as sharp objects or insect bites. Not to mention, sandals leave your feet open to getting muddy from wet fields, or sticky feet from squished strawberries.
Growing more strawberries than anywhere else in the province, Norfolk County is definitely the strawberry capital of Ontario. In fact, Norfolk County is home to almost 400 acres of strawberry fields, making it the second-largest strawberry-growing region in Canada.
Portage la Prairie in Manitoba is considered the strawberry capital of Canada. In fact, in 1988, Portage la Prairie entered the Guinness Book of World Records with a giant bowl of strawberries 1,511 kilograms in size. That record still holds true today.
Not only does Quebec boast the most strawberry fields in Canada, but it also has a reputation for producing the best-tasting strawberries.
Yes. The wild strawberry is native to North America, including northern Ontario. The woodland strawberry, or Fragaria vesca, also occurs in northern Ontario.
Yes. Wild strawberries grow in northern Ontario. Although this native Ontario strawberry may not produce huge amounts of fruit, it does provide an awesome ground cover with a ton of spectacular white flowers.
Wild strawberries are not exactly the same as the commonly cultivated strawberries. While they are both members of the same genus Fragaria, wild strawberries are typically smaller in size, have a slightly different flavour and texture, and are not typically grown on a large scale for commercial purposes.
While it may be pretty tempting to eat strawberries as you pick them, this is definitely not good etiquette! Keep in mind, the strawberries are part of the farmer’s livelihood, with many Pick Your Own farms selling their produce by the pound. Most farms will actually have signs advising this is not allowed.
Fresh strawberries may be more expensive during the winter months when they are out of season and have to be imported from other countries. During the peak growing season in the summer, prices may be more affordable due to the abundance of local supply. However, compared to some other fruits, strawberries are generally considered to be reasonably priced in Canada.
Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Pick Your Own Strawberries Near Mississauga
There are so many awesome places near Mississauga that offer a wide range of fantastic options for picking your own fresh strawberries.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly experience or a fun solo outing, there are plenty of farms and fields to choose from.
By following our tips and recommendations, you can ensure a successful and enjoyable strawberry-picking adventure. So grab a basket, head out to the fields, and savour the sweet taste of fresh, juicy Ontario strawberries you’ve picked yourself!
Does your family enjoy strawberry picking in the summer? We would love to hear about your traditions!
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