Pick Your Own
Raspberry Picking
Photo:  Rebecca MacTavish, Hutchinson Farm raspberry patch, July 6, 2006
Picking at Hutchinson Farm - an authentic farm experience!
If commercialized farming, gift shops, or the chaos of "farm entertainment" is not your cup of tea, our farm may be just what you're looking for! It's all about our crops, the goings on of a real farm, a keen interest in food, plus the peace and quiet of the country. Kids with imaginations will not want to leave.

Call 905-335-2515 for picking conditions
  • What can you pick?
    Raspberries (usually late June and most of July. Fall raspberries mid-Sept - frost)
    Note: Raspberry patch is open mornings only, 9:00 - 12:00
    Red Currants: usually mid-June - early July
    Black Currants: usually July
    Pumpkins: October.
    All our other produce (strawberries, tomatoes, etc.) is picked by us, and is for sale at our store in season.

  • What does it cost?

    If you want to pick your own, please call ahead for picking conditions 905-335-2515.
    Please note, raspberries are expensive to grow, making them one of the most expensive fruits. Every picker in your group pays $10 in advance for their first 2 pints, $14.50/kg for amounts greater than 2 pints.

    Admission to the patch $10.00 per person, and your first $10 of berries are free!

  • Who can pick?
    Anyone! Children of all ages are allowed in the patch. Only humans are allowed in the patch.

  • What do I bring?
    Containers: Any container will do: baskets, pails, Tupperware, ice cream containers, mixing bowls, etc. We do have containers available, but you have to buy them. Cardboard containers are very common, but they're really not the best for picking if it has rained -they get soggy! Raspberries squish under their own weight, so it's best to bring lots of containers and only fill them up a bit (no more than 2 inches).

    Insect repellent may be needed (primarily in the morning in the raspberry patch).

    Some refreshment (we do sell water, but feel free to bring your own).

  • What should I wear?
    High heels and white pants....or wide brimmed hats, old (pre-worn?) clothes, comfortable shoes. When picking raspberries, you might want to wear a long sleeved shirt to protect your arms from being scratched by the canes. Be prepared to get wet feet in the raspberry patch in the morning (we can get heavy dews).

  • When should we come?
    Avoid the mid afternoon -it can get very hot out in the patch. Come first thing in the morning (we open at 9:00), when the berries are cool. Raspberries shouldn't be picked when they're wet, if they are, use them right away. Please note, we keep strict hours. Should you arrive early (before 9:00) you will have to wait until 9:00 to start picking. When we close, we really close! -no stragglers allowed. In fact, we don't allow access to the patch 1 hour prior to closing.

  • What varieties do you grow?

    Raspberries: Prelude, Nova

    Currants: Stikine, Tahsis, Red Lake, Rovada, Hron

  • Any other tips?
    For fast picking, leave your container on the ground and pick with two hands!
    Don't pick unripe raspberries...they do no ripen...if you need to pull them off they are not ripe!


  • What about pesticides?
    See: How we grow our crops