Fun fact: most of Hamilton is rural.
That means hands-on farms, pick your own fields and pretty, rolling farmland are all close by and ready to experience.
Here are 8 spots to visit in time for harvest season to help you get back to the land.
Confirm with farms directly prior to visiting for up-to-date hours and availability.
1. Carluke Orchards
2194 Shaver Road S., Ancaster
Thirteen apple varieties and a selection of pumpkins are waiting to be picked at this Ancaster orchard. The family that runs it has been farming in the Hamilton area for 200 years with three generations currently working at the orchard. After you’ve worked up an appetite, satisfy your sweet tooth at the on-site bakery and gourmet food market.
PYO checklist:
Apples
Pumpkins
Season: Early September to mid-October
2. Dyments Pumpkin Patch
416 Fallsview Rd E., Dundas
The scenic 120 acre Glen Drummond Farm centres around a sprawling pumpkin patch, but there are a whole lot of other things going on, from nine-hole mini putt to a family friendly corn-walk. Explore the seriously scary haunted house if you dare. Wagon rides take you to the edge of the escarpment where you’ll catch breathtaking views. Their bakery and market are a must visit too!
PYO checklist:
Pumpkins
Check Dyments' website for details on this year's Pumpkin Patch Festival
Season: Weekends in October
3. Hanes Corn Maze Farmland & Pumpkin Patch
#1001 Highway 5 West, Dundas
Come for the pumpkin patch, stay for the 20-acre corn maze and 8-acre sunflower maze of beautiful, Insta-worthy blooms. Pre-register for maze and hands-on play and animal areas for younger visitors. Don’t leave without popping into The Tiny Shop Bakery specializing in from-scratch fruit pies in over 30 varieties! Then head into Christie Lake Conservation Area across the street for some hiking.
PYO checklist:
Pumpkins
Season: August to October
4. Lindley's Farm & Market
900 Fiddler's Green Road, Ancaster
Take a scenic wagon ride down to the field where thousands of pumpkins await a good home. The farm is operated by a family who’ve been growing fruits and vegetables in the Hamilton area for six generations and focuses on sustainable production systems. It has a corn maze with a family-friendly puzzle to solve, and a market packed with locally sourced produce, preserves, and baked goods.
PYO checklist:
Pumpkins
Season: Pick-your-own season here usually runs between end of September and end of October. But it's best to call ahead to confirm.
5. Puddicombe Farm & Estate Winery
1468 #8 Highway, Winona
There's a lot going on at this historic farm, including a pick-your-own schedule. Let Little Pudd, the agricultural touring train, take you through the orchard and around the winery. Visit the Farm Market & Country Store for a sample of local foods or to purchase a bottle of one of their 30+ wine varieties.
PYO checklist:
Apples
Pumpkins
Season: Pick your own apples and sunflowers in September and pumpkins in October. Enjoy live music, marshmallow roasting, and Harvest Festival weekends throughout the fall season.
6. The Apple Orchard
1668 Highway 6, Hamilton
Stroll through the impressive fields of sunflowers before checking out the 10,000-tree orchard. Pick apples, pears, pumpkins and squash, priced by the pound. Kids will love the wagon rides, walking trails, hay barns, miniature ponies and 1960s tractors. Season passes available.
PYO checklist:
Apples
Sunflower
Pumpkins
Squash and gourds
Season: Pick your own apples and sunflowers in September and pumpkins in October. Enjoy live music, marshmallow roasting, and Harvest Festival weekends throughout the fall season.
7. Merry Farms
1974 Concession Road 2 W, Lynden
Locals in the know come here for their Christmas tree and plenty of holiday cheer (the family's last name really is 'Merry'). But come fall, Merry Farms hosts a Pumpkin Fest worth travelling for. Choose the perfect pumpkin, play a corn maze game and hit up the pedal kart race track. There's also pumpkin bowling and kiddie rollercoasters among the 30 awesome family activities.
PYO checklist:
Pumpkins
Season: Opening September 30. Reservations required.
8. Paradise Fields Organic Farm
3355 Golf Club Rd., Binbrook, ON L0R 1P0
Get back to the basics on this organic farm, where the focus is on growing the most nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables for the community. With organic apple picking, kids playpark, hay rides, farm fresh shop, educational workshops, and paint nights, there is no shortage of fun to be had by everyone at Paradise Fields.
PYO checklist:
Apples
Season: mid-September to mid-October
Get Back to the Land
Ready for more hands-on, farm experiences? Visit our guide to local agricultural experiences for everything from pretty wineries and cideries to adorable Alpaca farms to picture-perfect flower fields.