Johnston Fruit Farms

Johnston Fruit Farms at Swanton, west of Toledo, has the longest picking season of any farm in this region. In its own words: "We are not just an apple orchard! We have several seasons of fruit and flowers to keep us going from early July until past Christmas!"

What You Can Pick

• Strawberries - "starts around the 4th of July for about 2-3 weeks of good picking"
• Raspberries - two waves. "1st wave: red and black raspberries start around strawberry season, sometimes late June!", then autumn varieties
• Blueberries - "starts around the second week of July", at a separate patch three miles away
• Apples - "starts around Sep 10th through October 31st. Over 20 varieties available for u-pick"
• Pumpkins - "Starts around 3rd weekend in September through October 31st"
• Lavender - late June and early July
• Flowers and sunflowers - "starts early July, ends at frost (mid-end of October)"

The Apples

"We grow over 60 varieties of apples and more than 20 of those are available for U-pick." The farm names Pixie Crunch, Candy Crisp, Sun Crisp, Winesap and Gold Rush as its specialty picking varieties.

Honeycrisp is a different matter: "Honey Crisp starts for a limited time around the 1st - 2nd weekend in for 1-2 weekends only. Unfortunately the HC u-pick is dependent on how well the crop does each year. Call in advance to check HC u-pick availability." [sic]

What Else is Available

A cider mill, fresh donuts made daily, a petting zoo, honey, fresh eggs, pre-picked bouquets, and a 2026 U-pick 5 Bouquet Punch Pass.

Good to Know

The blueberry patch is not at the farm. It is three miles away, on the corner of County Road 3 and County Road D, and the farm keeps it for pickers only: "We only have customers pick from this patch, so it is very plentiful picking during peak season!" Peak is the second week of July.

Pro tip: Gold Rush is the one to hold out for, and it is the last apple picked anywhere. It is hard and sharp off the tree in late October and turns intensely sweet after two months in a cool cupboard, which is why almost nobody sells it and why a u-pick orchard is the only place to get it.