As it goes and as we have been hearing since our childhood,ย an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But I undoubtedly do not need this motivation to devour the delicious apples I get especially from Ottawa. If you want to do something different in Ottawa, try apple picking. Wondering about what I am saying? I know, but donโt you think it would be something crazy and fun thing to do?
Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is situated east of southern Ontario, close to the city of the U.S. border and Montreal. The city is known for international musical festivals, ice-skating rink, and natural beauty. Apart from that,ย appleย picking in Ottawaย is another most practised thing.
Ottawa is known for its varieties of apples and has numerous orchards around the city where one can pick delicious apples. There are several varieties of apples found in this region, to name some โย Paula red, Lobo, Macintosh, Red free,ย andย Spartan Honey crisp, which are the most in demand. So, the next time you want to eat an apple why not just goย apple picking in Ottawaย and feast on the delicious red apples?
Essentials to Bring with You for Apple Picking
If you are searching for places for apple picking in the Ottawa region, then I am here to help you. Theย apple seasonย here generally runs fromย late August to mid-Octoberย while theย pumpkin seasonย is from lateย September to October. Before heading down to the apple orchards, I will tell you a few essential things to bring along:
- Carry one bag with you, though the farms will provide you with one, itโs good to bring your own to carry the apples according to the quantity you want.
- Rotten apples may fall on the ground, and you will not like stepping on them, so itโs better to have closed-toed boots or shoes.
- After strolling in the orchard, you can have your short meals and snacks in the picnic area, but make sure not to litter around.ย
- The sunโs heat gets intense during the daytime, so carry an umbrella or wear a hat to be safe from the sunโs rays.
Now, let us check someย popular Ottawaย apple farms, where you can select your apples.
1. Orleans Fruit Farm
Thisย fruit farmย isย located on St. Joseph Blvd. Ottawa.ย It provides vegetables and fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, corn beans, rhubarb, peas, beans, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes. If you want to pickย apples, sweet corn, potatoes, tomatoesย andย cucumbersย then August is the best month for you. Although if you loveย strawberries, you should go inย June, for rhubarb and asparagus, go in May and June, for peas, beans, and raspberries visit the Orleans fruit farm in July.
2. Cannamore Orchard
Theย Cannamore orchardย is one of the fantastic apple stock orchards in Crysler, Ottawa. On the weekends, you can enjoy family activities such as cow train rides, wagon rides, a kidsโ play area, and a giant hedges maze. Apples, strawberries, raspberries, andย pumpkin picking is quite popularย here.
3. Verger Croque Promme
The Verger Croque Prommeย is certified organic byย Ecocert Canadaย and situated inย Mnt. Berndt, Thurso, Ottawa. On this farm, more than half of its area is focused on the cultivation of various apples. In Verger Croque Prommeapple, apple cider vinegar and apple juices are also prepared.ย Bring your kids and family. They will love it.
On this farm, more than half of its area is focused on the cultivation of various apples. In Verger Croque Prommeapple, apple cider vinegar and apple juices are also prepared.ย
4. Mountain Orchards
Theย Mountain Orchardsย are located in the provision ofย Ontario. You can visit this orchard if you want to have a day out with your friends and family! Pick your apples and enjoy a picnic day in this area. Here you can stroll in theย corn mazeย with your friends, jump on the haystack, go for forest trails, and also enjoy the amazing wagon rides. Oh! Also, while you visit the Mountain Orchards, donโt forget to taste theย most famousย cider doughnuts! I am telling you thatโs just awesome.
5. Log Cabin Orchard
The Log Cabin Orchardย invites you to pick apples and pumpkins from their farm, this is a beautifulย apple and pumpkin-picking orchard. Throughout the season, the guests visiting here enjoy themselves with their families. They have fun in the kidsโ play area and the hay structures.
6. Hallโs Apple Market
Hallโs Apple Marketย is located inย Lansdowne Park, Westboro Market.ย Here, the owners grow apples and deliver them to grocery stores. They run aย scratch bakeryย withย 25ย varieties of pie, stunning jewellery, fresh cider jellies, unique gifts, and many more.
7. Pinewood Orchards
Theย Pinewood Orchardย is situated in theย National Capital Commission (NCC)ย โGreenbeltโย Ottawa.
This orchard took anย organic initiative to lower the use of chemicalsย to aboutย 20%ย of the average, this helps the apples to be the freshest and tastiest in Ottawa.
8. Apple Stock Orchard
Theย Apple Stock Orchardย is just a 45-minute drive from the south of Ottawaโs Parliament Hill. Theย Winchester apple pieย is theย popular dessertย here.ย
9. Avonmore Berry Farm
Theย Avonmore Berry Farmย is located on theย country road, Lansdowne, Ottawa. Theย season begins here in Juneย with juicy red strawberries and raspberries. In theย 20 acresย of land, they produceย super tasty strawberries. Along with these, they also produce 20 other varieties of vegetables, pumpkins, and delicious apples.
10. Heirloom Orchard
Heirloom Orchard at Landsdown Parkย is the best spot forย funfairs and festivals. There areย 37 treesย settled at the back of the orchard park was the original re-development plan for this apple orchard.ย For the last few years, a local organization has been performing hidden harvests in this orchard. They pick unblemished and good apples from the ground of this orchard farm and pass them on to the right clients. Most of these picked apples go to the food bank, ensuring zero waste of apples.
11. Harvest Moon Orchard
Inย Harvest Moon Orchard, you will find a great-looking crop ofย pumpkin, squash, and apples.ย They also offer pies, cider, crisps, and many more gifts. Apart from that, they sell napkins atย 50%ย off the price. I recommend you visit this one because itโs a great fun place for kids.
12. Ferme LโAtisan
Theย Ferme LโAtisanย farm isย located near Ottawa,ย which isย 45 minutesย away from the city. Here you can enjoy 8 varieties of fresh and juicy apples and other varieties of squash and pumpkin.
13. Ferme Dagenais
Inย Ferme Dagenais, you can pick your apples and pears, this apple orchard isย 45 minutesย away fromย Ottawa. Enjoy picking the top variety of apples in Ferme Dagenais/Le Tournesol from August to October and pears until the end of September.
14. Pine Hill Orchrads
Pine Hill Orchardsย is another family-run apple orchard that isย 45ย minutes away by car fromย Ottawa. In this Pine Hill Orchard farm, you can findย 20ย varieties of apples, which makes the apple site farm more appealing to tourists. Apart from growing apples, they make their luscious apple cider too.
15. McGregorโs Orchard
McGregorโs Orchardย is aย family-owned orchard, you can pick your apples and also pick bouquets of zinnias for your loved ones! You can enjoy walking down to the sunflower field while buying the goods from McGregorโs Orchard store. Tourists visiting this apple orchard sit here at the picnic table and admire the appealing view of McGregorโs Orchard.
A visit to the apple orchards in Ottawa brings so much fun and excitement.
Imagine this โย You visit an apple orchard farm, stroll around the apple trees, and find the best juicy apple for yourself and pluck that fresh from the trees, wash it, and have a delicious bite! Sounds yummy?ย Then come and enjoy apple plucking in Ottawa, you will not be disappointed.
The quality of apples found here, the process of their cultivation, their picking season, and their delicious desserts will beย worth your time.
In the midst of the bright red and juicy apples, there are also appetizing bites: apple pie,ย butter tart, hot apple cider, candy apples, and many more to try. A trip to Ottawa will be a delicious one indeed! Plus, if you want a beautiful view of the apple orchards,ย visit Ottawaย during the apple-picking season and enjoy the yummy apples while sitting on the lap of these apple orchards.
FAQs
Which is the best month to do apple picking?
September is the best month to go for apple picking. While different varieties of apples are picked around different times of the year, anyway the best time to pick apples is during the start of the fall season.ย
Can I eat apples while apple picking?
The short answer to this will be aย โnoโ.ย There are different pesticides used while growing apples so it is always advised to wash and wipe off the apples before you take a bite.
How long is apple season in Ontario?
Apple season in Ontario starts in mid-August and ends in October. The prime time to pick apples in Ontario is in September.ย
Last Updated on April 15, 2024 by Pragya Chakrapani
