The summer season is so short in Ontario, and if you’re looking for a sweet way to spend an August afternoon, this picturesque blueberry farm just an hour east of the city is the perfect choice.
Found in Newcastle, Ontario, Wilmot Orchards is a beloved family-owned and women-run destination that offers one of the GTA’s most delicious summer day trips. With the Oak Ridges Moraine rolling hills and the calm, blue waters of Lake Ontario as your backdrop, the farm welcomes visitors to stop by and harvest their own sun-ripened fruit straight from the bush.
The orchard grows 11 different varieties of highbush blueberries, each ripening at different points throughout the season. You can choose from one of three container sizes to fill up before being directed to the designated picking rows. These start at $16 for a 2 litre container.
For those that don’t want to pick their own, you can also buy pre-picked blueberries, available in 1, 2, and 4 litre sizes.
Besides wandering the fields, guests can head over to the on-site AppleBerries Café to treat themselves to a lineup of homemade berry delights. Sip on their brand-new blueberry lemonade or indulge in crowd favourites like their famous blueberry cheesecake, locally crafted jams and jellies, fresh-baked goods, and their wildly popular (and frequently sold-out) blueberry ice cream.
With peak picking season only lasting three to four weeks between early to mid-August, you’ll want to plan your trip before the window closes.
Wilmot Orchards is located in Newcastle, ON, with the season kicking off in early August. You can check picking conditions and reserve your time slot ahead of time on the Wilmot Orchards website.
