Trellis - Summer 2022

Summer Outings

Visit a Working Farm for Fresh Flowers and Produce

By Lorraine Hunter

What could be a better time than this Year of the Garden to visit a working farm? We in the GTA are lucky to be surrounded by all kinds of farms that make ideal family outings, photo locations, picnic sites and pick-your-own bounty destinations. Whether it’s sunflowers, lavender, strawberries, apples or pumpkins you are after, here are a few such places within an easy drive from the Toronto area. Be sure to check websites or phone ahead for hours and directions.

Sunflower Festival at Davis Family Farm, last week of July to first weeks of August. Explore the Field of Dreams including 40 acres of bright and beautiful sunflowers. Adults $13.50. Kids under 12 free, 15770 Mountain view Rd., Caledon East, ON L7C 2V2 905 965- 8201. www.davisfamilyfarm.ca Proceeds from sale of Sunflower Seeds, $4 per pack, go to help the Canadian Celiac Association.

Terre Blue Lavender Farm offers bath and body, skincare and essential oil products, selfguided tours through 200 acres of 10 varieties of lavender. 75,000 plants all bloom at different times from late June through August. Call ahead for hours and ticket information. 2501 Sideroad 25, Campbellville, On L0P 1B0, 519 512-0522 info@ terrebleu.ca www.terrebleu.ca

Stems Flower Farm is a small family farm outside Cookstown offering cut flower and vegetable seeds as well as pick-your-own bouquets. One person can cut up to 20 stems for $35 while touring the farm. Touring without picking is $10 per person. Kids under 13 are free. Specializing in dahlia tubers as well as assorted cut flowers. 5130 6th line, Cookstown, ON L0L 1L0, 416 522-7229 https://stemsflowerfarm.ca

Robintide Farms Pick your own strawberries, raspberries, vegetables, flowers, pumpkins. Look at the website to see what’s in season at https://robintidefarms.com/ pick-your-own. Visitors are encouraged to bring your own containers. 2720 King-Vaughn Rd., Maple, ON, 647 988-2720

Brantview Apples and Cider. The orchard has been in production for 200 years and is currently run by 7th and 8th generations of the original Howell family. The pick-yourown farm has up to 22 varieties of apples available throughout the season September through October. There is also a scratch bakery, cidery and events pavilion popular for weddings and other events. 225 Howell Rd., St. George Brant, ON https://www.brantviewapples.ca 519 448-1323

Reesor’s Farm Market offers seasonal eating from early June to the end of October. Pickyour-own strawberries then raspberries and vegetables give way in fall to fresh picked corn (eight varieties), a fun-for-thewhole-family corn maze and pickyour-own pumpkins. 10825 Ninth Line, Markham, ON L6B 1A8 https://reesors.ca 905-640-4568. Reesor’s Market and Bakery is located at 5758 Main St., Stouffville. 905 640-2270.