Farm Crops Guide

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Field Crop Guide

Corn (Grain Corn, Silage Corn, Sweet Corn)

Corn is a versatile and widely grown crop in Ontario.

• Grain corn is used for livestock feed, food products, and biofuels.
• Silage corn is harvested green and fermented for cattle feed.
• Sweet corn is picked young for fresh eating, processing, and roadside markets.

Soybeans

Soybeans are Ontario’s leading oilseed crop. They’re grown for oil, protein-rich livestock feed, tofu, and industrial uses. Ontario also produces food-grade soybeans for export.

Wheat (Winter Wheat, Spring Wheat, Hard Red/Soft Red)

Wheat is a key cereal crop used in bread, pasta, and pastries.

• Winter wheat is planted in fall and harvested in summer.
• Spring wheat is planted in spring and harvested later in the season.
• Hard red wheat is ideal for bread flour, while soft red wheat is used in cakes and crackers.

Oats

Oats are a cool-season grain used in cereals, livestock feed, and bedding. Ontario-grown oats are prized for food products like oatmeal and granola.

Barley

Barley is grown for livestock feed and malting in beer production. It’s an early-maturing grain that grows well in cooler Ontario climates.

Rye

Rye is a hardy cereal crop used in bread, whiskey, and cover cropping. It grows well in poor soils and is often planted for soil health benefits.

Canola

Canola is a yellow-flowered oilseed crop known for producing light cooking oil and high-protein livestock meal. It grows best in cooler regions of Ontario.

Flaxseed

Flax is grown for its nutrient-rich seeds and fiber. The seeds are used in food products and supplements, while the fiber has applications in textiles and bio-products.

Tobacco

Once a major crop in southern Ontario, tobacco is grown in sandy soils for flue-cured leaf production. Though smaller in scale today, it remains a specialty export crop.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are grown for their seeds, which are used in snacks, bird feed, and oil production. Their bright blooms also support pollinators and agri-tourism.

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Forage and Hay Crop Guide

A high-protein legume widely used in hay and silage for dairy and beef cattle. Alfalfa is prized for its nutritional value, digestibility, and ability to fix nitrogen in the soil.

Clover

Clover is a nitrogen-fixing legume grown alone or in pasture mixes. It provides protein-rich forage for livestock and improves soil fertility, with red and white clover being the most common varieties.

Timothy

A cool-season grass known for its soft texture and palatability, especially for horses. Timothy is often grown for hay and pairs well with alfalfa in mixed forage blends.

Mixed Grasses

Mixtures of grasses such as brome, fescue, and orchardgrass are used for pasture or hay. These blends provide diverse nutrients, extended grazing periods, and greater resilience to weather variations.

Silage Crops

Crops like corn, sorghum, and cereal blends harvested while green and fermented to make silage. Silage is a vital, energy-rich feed for dairy and beef cattle, especially in winter.

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Fruit Crop Guide

Apples

One of Ontario’s most important fruit crops, apples are grown in orchards across the province. Popular for fresh eating, baking, cider, and storage, varieties include McIntosh, Honeycrisp, and Gala.

Peaches

A juicy, tender fruit grown primarily in southern Ontario. Peaches are sold fresh or used in canning, baking, and preserves. They require a warm climate and careful handling.

Pears

Known for their sweet, delicate flavour and smooth texture, pears are grown in Ontario’s fruit belt. Popular varieties include Bartlett and Bosc, used fresh or in preserves.

Cherries (Sweet and Sour)

Sweet cherries are enjoyed fresh, while sour cherries are used in baking and processing. Grown mainly in Niagara, cherry trees bloom beautifully in spring and fruit in early summer.

Plums

A soft, juicy fruit with smooth skin and a sweet-tart flavour. Plums are sold fresh, dried (as prunes), or used in jams and sauces.

Nectarines

Closely related to peaches but with smooth skin, nectarines are juicy and flavourful. They grow in Ontario’s warmest regions and are enjoyed fresh or in desserts.

Apricots

A small, golden fruit with a sweet, slightly tart taste. Apricots are an early summer crop used fresh, dried, or in baking and preserves.

Grapes (Wine and Table Varieties)

Grapes are grown in vineyards for wine production and fresh consumption. Ontario produces both table grapes and premium wine grapes, especially in the Niagara and Lake Erie regions.

Strawberries

The first berries of the season, strawberries are grown for fresh eating, baking, and jam. Popular on pick-your-own farms and at local markets.

Raspberries

Known for their delicate texture and bright flavour, raspberries are grown for fresh markets and preserves. Red, black, and golden varieties are available throughout the summer.

Blueberries

Blueberries are sweet, antioxidant-rich berries grown in acidic soils. They’re sold fresh, frozen, or baked into muffins, pies, and pancakes.

Blackberries

Larger and juicier than raspberries, blackberries are harvested mid to late summer and used in desserts, jams, or eaten fresh.

Currants

Tart, vitamin-rich berries grown in clusters, currants come in red, black, or white varieties. Used in jellies, juices, and baking.

Gooseberries

Small, round berries with a tangy flavour, gooseberries are grown for pies, sauces, and preserves. They can be green, red, or purple when ripe.

Watermelon

A summer favourite, watermelon is grown in sandy, well-drained soils. Known for its sweet, juicy red flesh, it’s perfect for picnics and roadside stands.

Cantaloupe

Also called muskmelon, cantaloupe has fragrant orange flesh and a netted rind. It’s grown in Ontario during warm summers and sold fresh for snacking or fruit salads.

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Vegetables (Outdoor and Greenhouse) Guide

Carrots

A popular root vegetable grown for its sweet, crunchy taproot. Carrots thrive in loose, well-drained soil and are harvested for fresh markets, processing, and storage.

Cabbage

A cool-season brassica with dense leafy heads, cabbage is used in coleslaw, sauerkraut, and cooking. It stores well and is grown for fresh and processing markets.

Sweet Corn

A summertime favourite, sweet corn is harvested young for its tender, sugary kernels. Grown in fields and sold fresh at farm stands or processed for freezing and canning.

Onions

A long-season bulb crop valued for its culinary versatility. Onions are grown for fresh markets, storage, and processing, with yellow, red, and white varieties available.

Peas

Cool-season legumes harvested for their edible pods or seeds. Peas are grown for fresh consumption, freezing, and canning, with sugar snap and shelling peas as common types.

Tomatoes

Grown in fields and greenhouses, tomatoes are one of Ontario’s top vegetable crops. Used fresh, canned, or processed into sauces, they come in many sizes and colours.

Potatoes

A staple food crop grown underground as tubers. Potatoes are harvested for fresh use, processing (chips, fries), or storage, and come in white, yellow, red, and specialty varieties.

Beets

Beets are dual-purpose root crops grown for their sweet, earthy bulbs and leafy greens. Used fresh, pickled, or in salads, they grow well in cooler seasons.

Lettuce

A fast-growing leafy green crop, lettuce is a salad staple available in crisphead, romaine, leaf, and butterhead types. Often grown in multiple successions throughout the season.

Spinach

A nutrient-dense leafy green grown in early spring and fall. Spinach is harvested young for salads or mature for cooking and freezing.

Green Beans

Also called snap beans or string beans, these pods are harvested while tender and are eaten whole. Grown for fresh market, canning, and freezing.

Cauliflower

A compact white head (curd) crop in the brassica family. Cauliflower is harvested in cool seasons and used fresh, frozen, or in prepared foods.

Broccoli

Known for its green flowering heads and stems, broccoli is a cool-season crop eaten fresh, steamed, or in frozen mixes. It’s rich in vitamins and fiber.

Cucumbers

A vining plant grown for its crisp, juicy fruit. Cucumbers are used fresh in salads or pickled. Varieties include slicing, pickling, and seedless (greenhouse-grown).

Peppers

Grown in fields and greenhouses, peppers range from sweet bell varieties to hot chili types. Used fresh, grilled, or in sauces, they thrive in warm weather.

Squash

This warm-season crop includes summer squash (like zucchini) and winter squash (like butternut and acorn). Squash are versatile in cooking and popular at farmers’ markets.

Pumpkins

Grown for food, decoration, and agri-tourism, pumpkins come in many shapes and sizes. Used in pies, soups, and carving, they are a fall staple in Ontario.

Asparagus

A perennial crop harvested in spring, asparagus spears are tender, nutritious, and among the first local vegetables of the season.

Leeks

A mild-flavoured member of the onion family, leeks are grown for their long white stems and used in soups, stews, and gourmet dishes.

Eggplant

A warm-weather crop grown for its glossy, purple fruit. Eggplant is used in global cuisine and harvested for grilling, roasting, and sauces.

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Other Specialty Crop Guide

Maple Syrup (from Sugar Maple Trees)

Produced each spring from the sap of sugar maple trees, maple syrup is a beloved Canadian tradition. Sap is collected and boiled down in sugar shacks to create pure, sweet syrup for pancakes, desserts, and culinary use.

Ginseng

A high-value root crop grown for its medicinal properties. Ontario is a leading producer of North American ginseng, which requires shade, sandy soils, and several years to mature.

Herbs (e.g., Basil, Oregano, Parsley, Cilantro)

Grown for culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses, herbs thrive in gardens, greenhouses, and field plots. These fragrant plants are sold fresh, dried, or in value-added products like teas and oils.

Lavender

A fragrant perennial used in essential oils, soaps, culinary products, and agri-tourism. Lavender farms attract visitors with their scenic purple fields and handmade goods.

Hops (for Brewing)

Tall climbing plants grown for their flower cones, which add bitterness and aroma to beer. Hops are a key ingredient in craft brewing and thrive on trellised systems.

Mushrooms (e.g., White Button, Shiitake, Oyster)

Grown indoors in climate-controlled environments, mushrooms are cultivated year-round on organic matter. Ontario farms supply fresh mushrooms for local markets and restaurants.

Hemp

A versatile crop grown for fiber, grain, and CBD oil. Hemp has applications in textiles, building materials, food, and wellness products, and requires well-drained soil and strict regulatory oversight.

Garlic

A hardy bulb crop planted in fall and harvested in summer. Garlic is prized for its flavour and health benefits and is sold fresh, dried, or as seed for replanting.

Rhubarb

A perennial plant harvested for its tart red stalks, used in pies, jams, and sauces. Rhubarb is one of the first spring crops available at farm stands and markets.