TORONTO, June 19, 2026 – Several farms in Stouffville, Caledon, Springwater and Mount Albert opened their pick-your-own strawberry fields for the season on June 19. Families planning a weekend trip with children, seniors or relatives with mobility limitations should confirm crop availability, opening hours, group limits and field rules on the day of departure. Otherwise, they may encounter temporary closures, early entry cutoffs or unexpected additional charges.
Pricing arrangements differ from one farm to another this year. Applewood Farm in Stouffville opened its strawberry fields on June 19. Admission is $15 per person age four and older and includes a two-litre picking basket. Children age three and under enter free. Strawberries picked beyond the included two litres cost $6 per litre, and visitors cannot bring their own containers. The farm asks visitors to call before leaving home to confirm whether picking is open that day.
Downey’s Farm in Caledon opened its season on June 16, but strawberry picking will be suspended on Father’s Day, June 21, because there is not enough fruit to accommodate large crowds. The farm does not accept reservations and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The latest entry time is 3:30 p.m.
Downey’s limits group size according to basket size. A two-litre basket costs $17 and allows up to two people; a four-litre basket costs $34 and allows up to four people; and a six-litre basket costs $51 and allows up to six people. Children age one and older are included in the group count. Families with an odd number of people may need to purchase the next larger basket, and payments are non-refundable.
Families travelling with babies or seniors should also consider field conditions. The strawberry field at Downey’s is about a five-minute walk from the entrance. Strollers and wagons are not permitted in the field, and pets, outside containers and large handbags are also prohibited. Families who do not review the rules beforehand may arrive and discover that some family members or belongings cannot enter.
Barrie Hill Farms in Springwater said in a June 19 update that pick-your-own strawberry availability was good to very plentiful. Some peas and asparagus were also available for picking. Visitors between the ages of three and 93 must pay an admission fee of $5 per person on weekdays and $7 on weekends and public holidays. Picking baskets cost extra, with a two-litre basket priced at $11 and a four-litre basket at $19.
Brooks Farms in Mount Albert has also opened its strawberry fields. Visitors age six and older must each purchase their own picking basket, and some payment locations in the field do not accept cash. The farm’s play area was closed on June 19 for a private event, showing that the availability of farm facilities may differ from strawberry-picking arrangements.
A common situation is that a family of five budgets for a four-litre basket, only to discover on arrival that it allows no more than four people and that they must instead purchase a six-litre basket. Families that do not check temporary notices may also travel to a farm on a day when picking has been suspended.
Strawberry availability can change because of weather and daily visitor volume. A website showing regular business hours does not necessarily mean the picking field will remain open all day. Families should check the farm’s website or social media again before leaving, call when necessary, and confirm group size, payment methods, pet rules and stroller restrictions. Because shade may be limited in the fields, visitors should also bring drinking water, sun protection and shoes suitable for muddy ground.（LJI by Yuanyuan）
