Blueberry-picking season is approaching in Durham Region, with Wilmot Orchards in Newcastle preparing to welcome visitors back to its pick-your-own fields in August.
The Durham blueberry picking destination is located at 3337 Concession Road 3 in Clarington. Wilmot Orchards offers visitors the opportunity to harvest blueberries directly from designated rows while enjoying the farm’s rural setting and on-site café.
Although blueberry harvesting has already started at some Ontario farms, Wilmot Orchards has not yet opened its fields for the 2026 season. Its official website says the Newcastle farm expects to welcome pickers in August.
Visitors should wait for the farm to announce its opening date and release reservation times before travelling.
Durham Blueberry Picking Requires Reservations
Wilmot Orchards requires visitors to reserve their pick-your-own time online.
After arriving, guests check in at the farm’s pick-your-own booth, receive their containers and are directed to rows where ripe berries are available. Different blueberry varieties ripen at different times, so returning visitors may be assigned to another section of the farm later in the season.
The farm currently lists three pick-your-own container sizes:
- Two litres for $16
- Four litres for $32
- Eight litres for $64
Visitors pay based on the container selected rather than weighing their berries after picking. Prices and availability should still be confirmed when 2026 reservations officially open.
People who do not want to enter the fields may purchase pre-picked berries from the farm. Wilmot lists one-litre, two-litre and four-litre options, although quantities are limited and sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Café Serves Blueberry Treats
AppleBerries Café operates at the farm’s East Patch and offers a selection of blueberry-based desserts and products.
The café’s offerings include scratch-made baked goods, blueberry ice cream and products such as jams, mustard, salsa, barbecue sauce and syrup. The farm says its blueberry ice cream has been produced in-house since 2022.
Café products can provide another option for visitors when picking reservations are full or when weather temporarily affects field conditions.
Visitors should confirm whether the café and pre-picked berry counter are open before making a special trip.
Local Blueberry Season Is Short
Durham Farm Fresh says the local blueberry harvest generally runs from mid-July into early August, although the exact timing depends on the farm, blueberry variety and growing conditions.
Wilmot Orchards expects its 2026 season to begin in August. Since the picking window can be brief, residents interested in visiting should monitor the farm’s official website and social-media accounts for opening announcements and field updates.
Rain, extreme heat and the number of visitors can affect how many berries are ready on a particular day. A farm may change its hours or temporarily stop accepting reservations when ripe fruit becomes limited.
Plan Before Visiting Wilmot Orchards
Visitors should bring suitable outdoor footwear, sun protection and drinking water. Children must be supervised in the fields, and guests should follow instructions about which rows are open for picking.
Only containers supplied or approved by the farm should be used for the pick-your-own experience.
The Durham blueberry picking season at Wilmot Orchards is expected to begin in August, but an exact opening date had not been posted as of July 22.
Residents should confirm the opening, make a reservation and review current picking conditions before driving to Newcastle. This article should be updated when Wilmot Orchards releases its first available 2026 picking dates.
