242 Golf Links Rd
Burford, ON N0E 1A0
www.spillthedirtflowertruck.ca
Flowers
There’s a reason families drive out to Christmas tree farms year after year, even when pre-cut trees are available everywhere. It’s the experience — the cold air, the smell of fresh pine and spruce, kids running through rows of trees trying to find ‘the one,’ and that particular satisfaction of cutting down your own tree and hauling it home.
Ontario has dozens of choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms spread across the province, from Essex County in the southwest to the Ottawa Valley in the east. Whether you’re looking for a classic conical Balsam Fir, a full and fragrant Fraser Fir, or a blue-tinted Colorado Spruce, there’s a farm growing exactly what you’re looking for.
Most Ontario Christmas tree farms open in mid-November and stay open until they sell out or December 23rd. A few farms open as early as the first weekend in November.
💡 Timing Tip: The first weekend in December is traditionally the busiest weekend of the year for Christmas tree farms. If you want the best selection and a more relaxed experience, go in the third week of November or on a weekday in early December. |
The regions north and west of Toronto have a wealth of Christmas tree farms, many offering full holiday experiences with hot chocolate, wagon rides, and farm stores. These farms tend to be busy on weekends but the atmosphere is festive and fun. Find Christmas tree farms in Simcoe County → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/simcoe/
Find Christmas tree farms in Halton County → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/halton/
The Ottawa Valley and surrounding counties have a long Christmas tree growing tradition, with farms in Lanark, Renfrew, and Prescott & Russell counties. These farms tend to offer a quieter, more traditional cut-your-own experience. Find Christmas tree farms near Ottawa → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/ottawa/
Norfolk, Oxford, and Middlesex counties in Southwestern Ontario have several excellent Christmas tree farms. The area’s growing conditions produce well-shaped, full trees and the farms tend to be less crowded than GTA-adjacent options. Find Christmas tree farms in Norfolk County → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/norfolk/
Durham Region east of Toronto has several family-friendly Christmas tree farms that are popular with Oshawa, Pickering, and Ajax families looking for a nearby holiday outing. Find Christmas tree farms in Durham Region → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/durham/
How much does a cut-your-own Christmas tree cost in Ontario?
Prices vary by farm and tree size. Most farms charge $50–$120 for a 6–7 foot tree, with larger trees priced higher. Cut-your-own trees are typically fresher and longer-lasting than lot trees, making them excellent value.
What’s the most popular Christmas tree species in Ontario?
Balsam Fir is Ontario’s most beloved Christmas tree — it has the classic conical shape, wonderful fragrance, and excellent needle retention. Fraser Fir has become increasingly popular for its exceptional needle retention and full, soft branches.
Do Christmas tree farms accept debit or credit cards?
Many smaller farms are cash only, though larger operations increasingly accept debit and credit. Check the farm’s website before you go — and always bring cash as a backup.
Is a real Christmas tree more eco-friendly than artificial?
Generally yes — real trees are a renewable, biodegradable, carbon-sequestering crop. Ontario Christmas tree farms grow trees for 7–10 years before harvesting, maintaining habitat and green cover year-round. After the holidays, most municipalities compost Christmas trees into mulch.
Ontario’s Christmas tree farms are one of the season’s most magical experiences. Find one near you and start a tradition your family will look forward to every year. Find a Christmas Tree Farm Near You →
Follow @upickontario on Instagram and Pinterest for holiday farm content! 🎄
There is something magical about a pumpkin patch in October. The sea of orange stretching across a misty fall field. The smell of hay and cooling air. Kids sprinting ahead to find the perfect one while you try to keep up. It’s one of Ontario’s most beloved autumn traditions — and with hundreds of u-pick pumpkin farms spread across the province, there’s a patch within reach no matter where you are.
Whether you’re looking for a sprawling agritourism destination with corn mazes and hayrides, or a quiet family farm where you can wander a real pumpkin field and take your time choosing, this guide will help you find the perfect Ontario pumpkin patch this fall.
Most Ontario pumpkin patches open in late September and stay open through Halloween weekend at the end of October. A few farms open as early as mid-September for early-season varieties.
💡 Pro Tip: The first two weekends of October are the busiest at Ontario pumpkin patches. For a more relaxed experience, visit on a weekday, or go in the last week of September when patches are full but less crowded. Always check the farm’s social media before you go — patches can sell out on peak weekends! |
The regions surrounding Toronto have some of Ontario’s most well-known pumpkin patches, many offering full fall festival experiences. Expect larger crowds on weekends but also more activities for kids — corn mazes, hayrides, apple cider donuts, and farm animals. Find pumpkin farms in Halton County → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/halton/
Find pumpkin farms in Durham Region → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/durham/
Just north of the GTA, Simcoe County has a strong u-pick tradition and several excellent pumpkin patches that offer a slightly more rural, relaxed experience than the GTA-adjacent farms. Great for families who want the real farm experience without the festival-style crowds. Find pumpkin farms in Simcoe County → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/simcoe/
Eastern Ontario pumpkin patches tend to be quieter and more traditional — real u-pick fields where you wander the rows and choose your own. Ottawa-area farms often combine pumpkins with late-season apple picking for a full fall day out. Find pumpkin farms near Ottawa → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/ottawa/
Ontario’s agricultural heartland grows excellent pumpkins in the rich, well-drained soils of Norfolk, Elgin, and Oxford counties. Farms here are often quieter than GTA patches and offer exceptional variety in pumpkin types and sizes.
Find pumpkin farms in Norfolk County → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/norfolk/
How much does pumpkin picking cost in Ontario?
Pricing varies widely. Most farms charge by size — small pumpkins $3–$8, medium $8–$15, large carving pumpkins $15–$25. Some farms charge a flat entry fee that includes a pumpkin. Farm activities like corn mazes are usually priced separately.
Can I visit a pumpkin patch without kids?
Absolutely! Pumpkin patches are wonderful for couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors. Many Ontario farms have a genuinely beautiful fall atmosphere — golden fields, fall foliage, and the smell of fresh air — that appeals to adults just as much as kids.
How long do pumpkins last after picking?
Uncarved pumpkins kept in a cool, dry spot can last 2–3 months. Keep them out of frost and direct rain. Once carved, pumpkins last about a week — petroleum jelly rubbed on the cut surfaces can extend their life a few extra days.
Ontario’s pumpkin patches are waiting. From small family farms to sprawling fall festivals, there’s a perfect patch for every family this October. Find a U-Pick Pumpkin Patch Near You →
Pears might be the most underrated u-pick experience in Ontario. While apple orchards get all the fall fanfare, pear farms offer something quieter — a more peaceful, uncrowded experience, with fruit that’s just as delicious and far more elusive in truly ripe form at the grocery store.
A tree-ripened Ontario pear is a revelation: buttery, sweet, and fragrant in a way that supermarket pears — picked hard and shipped green — never quite manage. If you’ve never tried picking your own pears, this fall is the year to start.
Ontario pear season generally runs from mid-August through October, depending on the variety. Pears are unique in that they are best ripened off the tree — they’re picked when mature but still firm, then ripened at room temperature for a few days before eating.
| 💡 Pear Tip: Unlike apples, pears ripen from the inside out. Don’t wait for them to feel soft on the outside — check the neck! Apply gentle pressure near the stem; if it gives slightly, the pear is ready to eat. |
Niagara is Ontario’s top pear-growing region, benefiting from the moderating influence of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment. Bartlett and Bosc pears grown here are among the best in the country. Many Niagara orchards grow pears alongside their apple and peach crops. Find pear farms in Niagara County → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/niagara/
Prince Edward County’s unique limestone-rich soils and island microclimate produce excellent tree fruit, including pears. A pear-picking trip to The County can be paired beautifully with winery visits and the stunning fall scenery along the Bay of Quinte. Find pear farms in Prince Edward County → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/prince-edward/
The Niagara Escarpment communities of Halton and Hamilton have a long orchard tradition, with several farms growing pears alongside apples and other tree fruits. The escarpment elevations and well-drained soils create ideal growing conditions. Find pear farms in Halton County → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/halton/
Ottawa Valley farms often grow Bartlett and Flemish Beauty pears alongside their apple crops. The season runs a week or two later here than in Niagara, giving Eastern Ontario visitors a slightly extended window. Find pear farms near Ottawa → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/ottawa/
Are pear farms common in Ontario?
Pear farms are less common than apple orchards in Ontario, but they do exist — particularly in Niagara, Prince Edward County, and along the Niagara Escarpment. Use our farm finder to search by county for the most current listings.
Why are my picked pears still hard?
That’s perfectly normal! Pears are intentionally picked before they ripen on the tree — a tree-ripened pear becomes mealy and granular. Leave them on your counter for 3–7 days and check the neck daily for that gentle give that signals perfect ripeness.
Which Ontario pear variety is best for baking?
Bosc pears are the baker’s choice — they hold their shape well under heat. Bartletts work beautifully in jams and sauces where you want them to break down. Anjou are excellent fresh eating pears.
Ontario’s pear farms are a hidden gem of the fall harvest season. Find one near you and taste the difference that truly ripe, freshly picked fruit makes.
Fall in Ontario means apple season — and few autumn traditions are as beloved as spending a crisp September or October morning wandering through a u-pick orchard, filling your basket with fruit straight from the branch. Whether you’re looking for a family outing, a romantic fall day trip, or simply the best apples you’ve ever tasted, Ontario’s orchards have you covered.
With dozens of apple varieties ripening across the province from late August through October, and farms stretching from the Niagara Peninsula to the Ottawa Valley, there’s an orchard within reach no matter where you are in Ontario.
Apple season in Ontario runs from late August through October, with the peak falling in late September and early October. Different varieties ripen at different times, which means the season is long and there’s always something new to pick.
| 💡 Pro Tip: Many orchards offer multiple varieties — ask the farm which ones are at peak when you visit. Honeycrisp (mid-September) and Northern Spy (October) are perennial Ontario favourites. |
The Niagara Peninsula is one of Ontario’s premier apple-growing regions, with a microclimate ideally suited to tree fruit. Farms here often combine apple picking with farm stores selling fresh cider, apple butter, and baked goods — making for a full fall day out. Find apple farms in Niagara County → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/niagara/
Simcoe County just north of the GTA is home to some of Ontario’s most popular apple orchards, with farms ranging from small family operations to large agritourism destinations with corn mazes, hayrides, and farm markets. Find apple farms in Simcoe County → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/simcoe/
Durham is one of the most accessible fall destinations from Toronto’s east end, with several u-pick orchards in Oshawa, Clarington, and surrounding communities. Perfect for a quick September weekend outing without a long drive. Find apple farms in Durham Region → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/durham/
The County, as locals call it, has a thriving orchard scene alongside its famous wineries. Apple picking in Prince Edward County can be combined with a winery visit and a stop at Sandbanks Provincial Park for a truly memorable fall weekend. Find apple farms in Prince Edward County → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/prince-edward/
The Ottawa Valley and surrounding region has a strong orchard tradition, with farms in Lanark, Leeds & Grenville, and Prescott & Russell offering apple picking alongside cider pressing, farm markets, and fall activities. Find apple farms near Ottawa → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/ottawa/
The escarpment country around Halton and Hamilton is excellent apple-growing territory, with elevations and soils that produce excellent fruit. Several farms here have been operating for generations and offer a classic Ontario orchard experience. Find apple farms in Halton County → https://pickyourownontario.ca/category/halton/
How much does apple picking cost in Ontario?
Most farms sell by the bag (half-peck, peck, or bushel). A half-peck bag typically costs $8–$15 and holds about 5–6 pounds of apples. A full bushel (around 42 pounds) runs $30–$60 depending on the farm and variety.
Do I need to book ahead for apple picking?
Many popular orchards fill up quickly on fall weekends — especially the last two weekends of September. Booking ahead or going on a weekday is strongly recommended. Always check the farm’s social media for current availability.
How long do picked apples last?
Most varieties last 2–4 weeks in the fridge. Late varieties like Northern Spy and Fuji can last up to 2 months when stored cold. Keep them in a bag in the crisper drawer away from other produce.
Ontario’s apple orchards are waiting. From Niagara to Ottawa and everywhere in between, there’s a u-pick orchard within reach this fall.
Find a U-Pick Apple Farm Near You →
Follow @upickontario on Instagram and Pinterest for fall farm updates!