Frequently Asked Questions

You will find updates and information about blueberry picking conditions in the Seasonal News Section.

Q: What are your hours of operation?
A: For pick-your-own Mon-Fri 9:00am - 8:00pm, Sat & Sun 9:00am - 5:00pm. 
For Appleberries Cafe Mon-Fri 10:00am - 8:00pm, Sat & Sun 10:00am - 5:00pm

Q: Is there a place for refreshments at the farm?
A. Yes, Appleberries Cafe serves specialty teas, coffee, cold drinks and desserts.

Q: What varieties of blueberries do you have?
A: Wilmot Orchards has eight varieties of Highbush blueberries; they include Blue Jay, Blue Ray, Jersey, Patriot, Berkeley, Duke, Nelson Blue Crop and Toro.

Q: Do you take debit or credit cards ?
A: We accept cash, cheques and debit cards. We do not accept credit cards. 

Q: What is the cost of the blueberries?
Please see Seasonal News Section

Q: Are you wheelchair accessible ?
A: Yes. Our patches are grassed and we have accommodated wheelchairs in the past. In our new building, we have one wheelchair accessible washroom for your convenience. Staff will be happy to assist you.

Q: Do you spray the berries with anything?
A: We use the minimum amount of both organic and conventional crop protection materials.

Q: What is the difference between the blueberry varieties?
A: The main difference is the time during the season that they ripen allowing us to offer our customers berries for up to six weeks.

The berries that ripen later in the season are sweeter because they stay on the bushes longer; however, they are smaller. The earlier varieties producing larger berries are more 'tart' , because they have not spent as much time on the bushes.

Taste is all up to the individual. All the blueberries taste wonderful; some people just prefer a more tart tasting berry and others, a sweeter variety.

Become a blueberry connoisseur and decide what your favourite tasting blueberries are. Come and pick often during the season. Although it is good to pick and freeze, freshly picked blueberries are a wonderful healthy treat. 

Q: How old are the bushes?
A: In the new patch the bushes, in front of the cafe, are about 8 years old. The bushes at the south end of the patch are about 3 years old and the bushes directly behind the cafe were planted in 2006. In the older patch some of the bushes are 20 years old.

Q: How do you care for the plants?
A: Once established the bushes are easy to care for. In the spring the winter damaged branches are removed. The bushes need a low pH level and we use trickle irrigation to make sure that the plants get the water that they need. We are conscious of the environment and practice sound farming principles. If the plants are cared for properly they can produce berries for 25 to 30 years.

Q: What is the white powdery stuff on the berries ?
A: The white stuff on the berries is just a protective coating that the berries produce themselves

Q: What are the health benefits of blueberries?
A: Blueberries are high in fibre and rich in Vitamins; A, C, E & beta-carotene plus the minerals; potassium, manganese & magnesium. They contain the antioxidants: Anthocyanins, proanthocyanins, chlorogenic acid, Pterostilbene and Ellagic acid.  There are current studies showing the possibility that blueberries help the eyes, prevent urinary tract infections, lower cholesterol, protect against macular degeneration, and aid the cardiovascular system.


Nestled in the rolling hills of Newcastle Ontario, Wilmot Orchards is like a little bit of Tuscany

Nestled in the rolling hills of Newcastle Ontario, Wilmot Orchards is
like a little bit of 'Provence'. When you come to the farm you will agree
that Wilmot Orchard blueberries are wonderful, not only great tasting,
and healthy, the whole farm looks like a work of art !

people follow the signs for the best picking of the day

Blueberry pickers head out, following the signs that point to
the best blueberry picking of the day.

 

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