What’s Happening On the Farm
WELCOME TO THAMES RIVER MELONS
We can’t wait for you to visit!
All guest visits take place at our retail location at 775530 Blandford Road in Innerkip, home to our Farm Shop, Pick-Your-Own patches, Farm Kitchen, Food Truck, and family-friendly spaces. Come stock up on fresh local produce, meet the animals, or enjoy a seasonal treat!
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WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE FARM
The Farm Shop & Kitchen
Current Hours: 9am-5pm, Monday - Saturday (November- December).
Coming Up: Hours will change to appointment-only in January through to April. Contact us to make an appointment!
Can’t make it to the farm? Check out our Farm Kitchen creations available for Home Delivery!
Pick-Your-Own
Current Hours: Closed for the season
Coming Up: We can’t wait to welcome you back to the farm in May!
Farm Food Truck
Current Hours: Closed for the season
Coming Up: Our Farm Food Truck will open again when the picking season starts in May!
THE FARM SHOP
The Farm Shop is where everything we grow, make, and bake comes together. Located in the barn on our property, it's a one-stop-shop for fresh seasonal produce, homemade pies and baked goods from the Farm Kitchen, preserves made with our own crops, honey from our hives, and our Black Angus Beef. As the seasons change, the shop changes with it, offering whatever crops are currently being harvested, along with a selection of local goods like eggs, cheese, pottery, and beeswax candles.
Whether you’re stocking up for the week or just dropping by after a visit to the fields, the Farm Shop brings together all the best parts of the farm in one friendly, easy to access place to browse and enjoy.
Can’t make it for a visit? Check out our Home Delivery options to have some of our farm favourites delivered right to your door!
*Please note that last call for frozen yogurt is 30 minutes prior to close in order to allow our staff time to thoroughly shut down and clean our space safely and effectively.
PICK-YOUR-OWN
We may be biased, but we truly believe that one of the best ways to experience the farm is to get your hands dirty! With more than 30 fruits and vegetables ripening throughout our season, our Pick-Your-Own patches offer a chance to slow down, dig in, and experience where your food comes from.
Our friendly staff will be there to greet you and update you on our current crops, where to find them, and the best way to pick them. While exact picking dates vary from season to season, the general harvest timelines are listed below.
MAY
Asparagus: May – June
Garlic: May – October
Herbs: May – October
Lettuce: May – September
Radishes: May – June
Rhubarb: May – June
Spinach: May – June
JUNE
Strawberries: June – early July
Beets: June – October
Cucumbers: June – September
Dill: June – September
Green Onions: June – November
Kale: June – November
Onions: June – November
Peas: June – July
Potatoes: June – October
Zucchini: June – October
JULY
Blueberries: July – early September
Raspberries: July
Beans: July – October
Broccoli: July – November
Cabbage: July – November
Carrots: July – November
Cauliflower: July – November
Okra: July – September
Peppers: July – November
Tomatoes: July – October
AUGUST
Brussels Sprouts: August – November
Leeks: August – November
SEPTEMBER
Apples: September – October
Pumpkins: September – October
OCTOBER
Pumpkins: October
FARM KITCHEN
The Farm Kitchen at Thames River Melons was installed in Spring 2021.
Since then, we've been baking and making daily! It's in this space that we craft all of our made-from-scratch baked goods and ready-to-eat items, all featuring our farm’s produce. These items are available daily at the Farm Shop, as well as for Home Delivery. You will also find a selection of fruit pies at many of our weekend Farmers’ Markets and our Daily Roadside Stands!
The Farm Kitchen is also home to many of our on-farm events, including our Harvest Brunch, Meet the Bees, and privately booked gatherings like baby showers, birthday parties, and more.
Stay up to date with what’s in the oven by following Thames River Melons on Instagram.
FARM FOOD TRUCK
Our Farm Food Truck is the perfect stop after a wander through the Farm Shop or picking a few buckets of your favourite produce.
You’ll find fresh-cut fries, made-from-scratch milkshakes using fruit grown in our own patches, and Smash Burgers with beef from our Black Angus herd. Everything is crafted with care, using ingredients grown and raised right here.
Please note that last call for burgers and fries is 15 minutes prior to close in order to allow our staff time to thoroughly shut down and clean our space safely and effectively.
WHAT TO EXPECT FOR A DAY ON THE FARM
If you’re headed to Thames River Melons for the day, we want you to feel prepared for your day in the life of a farmer! The first thing to note is that we are a working farm, which means you’re likely to see tractors and other large equipment, as well as uneven ground, mud, dust and bugs. You'll want to be ready for all of these conditions and more, so you can squeeze every drop of fun out of your day.
A GOOD FARMER NEVER FORGETS:
To dress for the weather - we recommend dressing in layers, and always wearing close toed-shoes (don’t be afraid to bust out your favourite rubber boots if it’s raining out!)
To wear a hat - the perfect way to look the part!
To bring/wear sunscreen and bug spray (especially if it’s been raining recently)
A water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day
A FEW OTHER NOTES
There is no parking or gate fee to visit us, just head on in!
We accept cash, credit, and debit for payment throughout the farm
Bring a camera! There will be lots of lovely moments to be captured
We have some picnic tables, though they are reserved for folks enjoying food purchased on-farm
We have plenty of green space for you to enjoy, so feel free to bring along a picnic blanket or lawn chairs if you’d like
We do have some animals on site: cows & chickens. They are happy to say hello from a distance, but we ask that you please not touch them
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Throughout the season we have strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and a variety of vegetables available for harvesting.
In the fall, we also offer pumpkins and apples for picking! Keep an eye on our What’s Happening On the Farm section for specific timing & crop details.
Please only pick what you plan on paying for. We really appreciate you helping us reduce food waste.
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Yes, please do!
Harvest must be done into our containers or into a bag (reusable or plastic). We are able to remove the weight of our own buckets, and the weight of a bag is negligible.
Once your items have been weighed, you can transfer into your own bag, box, tote, or bucket. If you need to purchase a plastic bag we have some available for $0.05 each.
This policy ensures our checkout process is as low-waste, efficient, and food-safe as possible.
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Due to the nature of Ontario’s growing season, not all crops are ready at the same time.
Please follow our staff guidelines for harvesting, as they will carefully instruct you on what is ready and available for harvest.
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We have portable toilets on site available for your use. They aren’t the most glamorous, but they’ll get the job done!
Please note we have 1 accessible portable toilet available at all times.
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Yes, dogs are welcome on the grassy area in front of our Farm Shop, as well as on the forest trail and corn maze (during fall season). If you are planning to bring your furry friend, we do have some rules to ensure everyone’s safety:
Dogs are not permitted inside the Farm Shop or in any of our fruit & vegetable fields (This is for food safety and is very important!)
Dogs must be people- and other dog-friendly. We have our own farm dogs who may be hanging around during your visit and other guests may have their dogs with them as well.
Dogs must be on a leash and under control at all times.
Please bring doggie bags and clean up after your 4-legged friends.
Please do not leave your dog or pet in the car on hot days. If you want to head out to the patch to pick and don’t have anyone to wait with your dog outside of the field, it may be best to leave them at home.
If concerns arise, our staff reserve the right to ask you to leave with your pet.
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May: 9am – 5pm
June (once PYO Strawberries begin): 8am – 8pm weekdays, 8am – 6pm weekends
July: 8am – 8pm weekdays, 8am – 6pm weekends
August (after Civic holiday): 8am – 7pm weekdays, 8am – 6pm weekends
September: 8am – 6pm daily
October: 8am – 6pm daily
November/December: Monday – Saturday, 9am – 5pm
January – April: Closed, open by appointment
Still have questions? Feel free to reach out using our contact form, or give the farm a call at 519-469-3636!
Can’t Make it To the Farm?
There Are Other Ways to Enjoy Thames River Melons
There are plenty of ways to enjoy what we grow and make! Come say hello at a Local Market or Roadside Stand, or let us come to you with home delivery! Whatever works best for your routine, the farm is never far away.