In search of discounted seasonal flowers, ways to back local growers, or simply a summer outdoor venture? With over 200 Canadian flower farms in operation, finding one near you has never been easier. While many of these farms are not open to the public, pick-your-own spots and farm events have thrived post-pandemic, partly due to social media. Besides tours and markets, activities like botanical-dyeing workshops and picnics are also available among the blossoms.
To make the most of your visit, plan ahead as smaller farms may require appointments or tickets for certain activities. Timing is crucial with seasonal crops, so it’s advisable to check online or call ahead to ensure you catch the blooms at their peak.
Here are 13 remarkable flower farms worth exploring this summer:
1. Bilston Creek Farm in Victoria, Vancouver Island, hosts various seasonal events like the Lavender Festival, offering live music, workshops, markets, and even accommodations.
2. Five Acres Flower Farm in Abbotsford, B.C., provides flower-picking workshops, concerts, and wreath-making classes, especially during late August and September when dahlias are in full bloom.
3. Blooms on 7 Flower Farm in Sherwood Park, Alta., features over 150 bloom varieties, botanical-dyeing workshops, and pilates classes near an alpaca herd.
4. Fern’s Flowers Garden in Edmonton offers U-pick options for zinnias, marigolds, and gladioli in a scenic location near the North Saskatchewan River.
5. Boho Flower Farm in Strongfield, Sask., offers ticketed flower picking, evening events with a local distillery, and date-night packages.
6. Miss Millie’s Flower Farm in St. François Xavier, Man., presents over 200 flower types, with options for picking your own stems, attending dog-friendly days, or joining a cake picnic.
7. Heritage Blooms in Norwood, Ont., showcases dahlias, zinnias, and sunflowers, along with bouquet-making workshops in summer and dahlia tuber storage sessions in fall.
8. Country Cut Flowers in Newmarket, Ont., offers pick-your-own experiences for various flowers, painting sessions, wreath-making, and crafting events.
9. RePlanted Farm & Florals in Deep River, Ont., features tulips, peonies, dahlias, and vegetable crops, with workshops for bouquets and themed dinners using garden-grown ingredients.
10. La Maison Lavande in Saint-Eustache, Que., is a year-round boutique with lavender season starting in late June, offering bundle creations, picnics, walking paths, and yoga classes.
11. Sharp Brook Flower Farm in Lower Millstream, N.B., founded by seventh-generation farmers, grows over 50 flower varieties for self-serve bouquets or U-pick options.
12. Just Bloom Flower Farm in Middle Musquodoboit, N.S., part of a dairy farm, provides pre-ordered bouquets and U-pick gardens for leisurely walks and flower-picking sessions.
13. Island Lavender Distillery in St. Catherines, P.E.I., grows English and French lavender varieties, allowing visitors to harvest lavender bundles on designated days in July.
