Finger Pickin’ Good

Don’t pick your nose. Don’t pick on your brother. Do pick strawberries.
If you and your brood love the annual trek to the apple orchard or pumpkin patch, it’s time to start a similar spring ritual. Strawberry picking (starting this year around June 20) offers the same rural experience for our big city kids, but with the added bonuses of warmer weather and a sweeter harvest.

The place we love to go when we want to bag some berries is Springridge Farm. This charming family farm is 45 minutes from Toronto and nestled just below the beautiful Niagara Escarpment. It’s so nice that it can attract a lot of visitors even on weekdays so an early start is recommended. (The farm opens at 9 am.)

Picking Advice
The most important thing to know about berry picking is that the season is variable (especially with a cool spring), so call ahead or check the web site to make sure the crop has arrived. Once at the farm, picking under the sun can be hot work, so sun hats, sunscreen and extra water are non-negotiable. Light-weight, long-sleeved shirts and pants and closed-toe shoes are also recommended for berry picking—the straw the berries grow on is “pokey” and can bother some toes.

Good to know: Springridge will be setting up a 20’ x 20’ misting tent to refresh weary pickers!