Written By: Valerie Belopolsky
Edited By: Ocean Croft
Designed By: Georgina Baronette
Published By: Ayman Khan
Apple Picking Season in Ontario: Ethical Apple Farms Across Ontario
Apple-picking season is upon us. From late August to early November, farms open, offering their finest variety of apples. Across Ontario, there are amazing options from ethical farms. Ontario is a big theme in apple farming. Being the country’s top apple producer, it generates roughly 13.7 million bushels, with a farm-gate value reaching approximately $120 million to $400 million in overall economic impact. Interestingly, in 1811 the famous McIntosh apple was discovered by John McIntosh on a farm in Ontario, a prideful moment in Canadian history.
What does ethical apple picking really mean?
Ethical apple picking starts from the farming practices farmers choose to adopt. Ethical farmers adopt practices that protect soil health, encourage natural biodiversity, and reduce synthetic pesticide and fertilizer use. Outside the environment, ethical farms ensure fair and safe labor as well as selling their harvests to local communities to keep the economic benefits regional.
Organic Farm
Organic Farm is a family-owned and operated business that offers an impressive range of activities on their land. Prior to 2001, they practiced conventional fruit farming. In response to climate change and the rapid depletion of resources, the family made an environmentally conscious shift to sustainable agriculture. Their doors opened again in 2007, with certified organic products and members of Régénération Canada, meaning they actively practice regenerative agriculture. Located in Markham, Ontario, Organic Farm is open seasonally, offering ready-to-pick fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and apples, along with vegetables, organic meats, homemade ice cream, compost, and baked goods. Organic Farm offers 16 different varieties of apple, starting around August 22nd, 2026, with the “Sunrise” variant, and ending early October.
William’s Orchards
William’s Orchards, established in 1983, is a family-owned and run farm in Milton, Ontario, with a staggering 1500 apple, plum, and pear trees all available for picking throughout the season. Unlike other farms, William’s Orchards does not charge for parking or admission into the orchards for picking; instead, they sell ready-picked apples locally.
https://www.williamsorchards.ca/ 
Brantview Apple & Cider
Established in 1820, Brantview Apple & Cider Farm, located in St. George, Ontario, is owned and run by the Howell family. Priding themselves on their pest management and being under the bottom 5% in the province for pesticide use since 1947 by adopting alternative practices to protect their orchards. Brantview Farm also brings in hives from local beekeepers to help pollinate the blossoms, maintaining biodivers
ity throughout their orchards. The Apple-picking season at Brantview begins in September, offering 22 varieties of apples.
https://www.brantviewapples.ca/
The Campbell’s Orchard
The Campbell’s Orchard is a mult-generational familial operation. Nestled in Prince Edward County on the bay of Quinte, The Campbell’s Orchard has provided an impressive variety of fresh fruits and vegetab
les in their market and ready-to-pick products year-round since 1967. They believe in using environmentally friendly practices in all aspects of their business and understanding the importance of supporting local and small businesses. From mid-August to October, they offer pick-your-own apples, starting this season with the ginger gold variety.
https://www.campbellsorchards.com/
Brooks Farms
Founded in the mid-1800s by Edward Brooks, Brooks Farms has been a staple in Mount Albert for over 125 years. Originally growing corn, wheat, and livestock, the farm shifted in 1990 to pick-your-own strawberries, apples, and raspberries under Alvin and Brenda Brooks. Today, it’s a beautiful seasonal destination catering to all, offering event spaces, fresh produce, camps, and festivals. Their apple-picking season starts later than most, being in September.
https://www.brooksfarms.com/event-calendar
Nature’s Gifts Orchard
Nature’s Gift Orchards is a small, family-owned farm dedicated to sustainable practices. By offering locally grown fruits, vegetables, and artisanal products, Nature’s Gift Orchard maintains their support for local agriculture and healthy living within the community. Located in Whitchurch-Stoufville, Ontario, apple picking begins late September here.
Pine Farms Orchard’s
Pine Farms, located in King, Ontario, was run by Ernie and Mary Rolph; in the 1940s, it became an apple farm. Later, the farm was leased from Mary by two local farmers and consultants of theirs. From then on the farm was preserved and maintained as a pick-your-own apple farm, offering school tours and more events later on. Today it’s run by Ernie and Mary’s granddaughter, Pam, and her family. Pine Fa
rms Orchards offers 21 varieties of apples; their apple-picking season is set to begin mid-August.