Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL FAQs

Are you open?

Yes, we are open 7 days a week during our peak seasons, including all holidays except Christmas. We generally close for 4-6 weeks after December 20th and reopen the beginning of February.

Are you located in Saskatoon?

No! We are named after the Saskatoon Berry (A Native species in Alberta), not the city. We are located in the heart of Foothills County, Alberta, 20 minutes south of Calgary.

Are dogs allowed at the farm?

Unfortunately no, we don’t allow customers dogs at the farm at this time to ensure the safety of our animals, as well as yours.

Do you sell gift cards?

Yes, we sell gift cards both in-store or over the phone. The gift cards are available in all denominations and can be used in both the restaurant and general store. And the best part, they never expire.

Do you host Weddings or Special Events?

Yes, we do! you can stay up to date over on our Weddings Page and Special Events Page.

Do you ship to U.S. or Mexico?

At this time, we only ship to certain provinces within Canada.

RESTAURANT FAQs

When is the restaurant open?

9am to 4pm Daily!

Do you take reservations at the restaurant?

No, the restaurant operates on a first come, first serve basis - but don’t worry! We are fast and promise your wait won’t be long and well worth it. When you arrive, if there is a line, the host will add your name and phone number to the waiting list and text you when your table is ready.

Why do you serve Mexican food in your restaurant?

Our Kitchen staff is primarily from areas in Mexico and they have beautiful, traditional Mexican Cuisine you can't find anywhere except for our Kitchen. Check out the menu!

BUFFALO ROOM FAQs

When is the Buffalo Room open?

We operate the same hours as the Main building, 9-5 everyday including weekends and holidays.

GARDEN CENTRE FAQs

When is the Garden Centre open?

9am to 5pm, 7 Day a week, seasonally, opening April 15th and closing October 31st. To learn more about when the season starts, head over to our Garden Centre page.

When does the season start?

Our growing season begins in February based on our greenhouse temperatures, but we are generally open for retail sales beginning in early May. It is largely weather dependent.

What type of plants do you sell?

We have a large selection of prairie hardy annuals, herbs, fruits, veggies, perennials, shrubs and trees. All hand seeded and selected to be successful in our growing zone

What are Saskatoon Seedlings?

Saskatoon seedlings are small, already established Saskatoon bushes, they are not actually seeds as the name might suggest (confusing, we know). We have yearlings (slightly larger bushes) up to 5 and 6-years-old, which are already large plants ready for you to take home.

How do I know which Saskatoon plant to buy?

The age of the plant you purchase will depend on the desired outcome of your purchase. Do you want berries right away? You’ll need to invest in an older, more established plant (yearlings, 5 to 6-years-old). If you are looking for large quantities for a hedge or picking patch, we recommend going with our 3-year-old seedlings. You could start seeing fruit as early as next season from these little guys.

When will my Saskatoon’s Start Bearing Fruit?

Saskatoon’s can normally produce anywhere from a handful of fruit to a reasonable size crop of fruit in the third year. Starting in your fourth year you may pick 5lbs. of fruit from each bush. You can expect a fully mature Saskatoon bush after about 6 years.

What is the best way to grow my Saskatoon’s?

We found the best way to grow Saskatoons is as a hedge. They could be a row in the garden, a hedge along the lane, or a shelterbelt around a field. They could also be planted and grown as an individual specimen.

We have harsh winters, will my Saskatoon plant survive?

Saskatoons are “very” hardy. They are hardy to Zone 1 and we have customers in the NWT and in the Yukon, as well as Vancouver Island. We don't think you have to be concerned at all about the durability of Saskatoons in our harsh winters.

Will frost destroy my Saskatoon plants?

Many people believe that frost takes the flowers on the Saskatoon resulting in no fruit that year. Contrary to popular belief, frost damage is not a major problem in our orchards. This is a misconception because the insect damage occurs at the same time that the bush is flowering. Eight times out of ten, it is the insect damage that causes the fruit loss. Spraying the bushes when they are flowering with a registered insecticide will guarantee a good crop of berries every year, although this is not an essential practice.

Will Saskatoon’s grow in my type of soil?

Saskatoon’s grow in a wide range of soils all across Canada in the wild, and do well in almost all soils. They do not tend to grow well in very wet peat soils, or high alkaline soils.

What type of fruit is available in U Pick season?

Saskatoon’s and Sour Cherries.

What variety of Saskatoon’s do you recommend? What variety will grow best in my area?

After having tried them all, we determined our favourite variety to be Northline, however Smoky and Honeywood are equally hardy in all areas. Our preference here on the farm is the Northline variety because of it's nice uniform habit of growth as well as it's superb fruit quality with a large berry size and wonderful Saskatoon flavour. Fruit production on the Northline variety is fantastic, even at an early age. We also like to recommend planting a mix of all three main varieties. The different varieties seem to bloom and harvest at staggered times, so it gives you a chance to enjoy the spring flowers for a longer period of time and extends your u-pick time.

How big are your seedlings?

Our seedlings are normally in the 8 - 12 inch range. Our seedlings are one year old, actively growing as a leafed out tree in its own pot with soil and a fully developed root system.

Have other questions?

Email us at plants@saskatoonfarm.com.

SEASONAL MARKET FAQs

When are your seasonal markets?

We hold our Annual Spring Market, Mothers Day Market, Summer Solstice Market, Harvest Market and Christmas Market every year . Stay up to date by following our Seasonal Market page.

FARMER’S MARKET FAQs

When does your Farmer’s Market begin and end?

Our Farmer’s Market begins in mid to late June when we start harvesting our own veggies. The Market normally wraps up around the end of September. However (!) we offer a variety of root vegetables available all year long.

Where is your Farmer’s Market?

Our Farmers Market is located directly across from the twin red barns, just a hop, skip and a jump off our main street.

What produce do you have?

We sell an amazing selection of over 50 vegetables grown right here at The Saskatoon Farm. Our produce is hand seeded, weeded, and picked to ensure you are getting the best quality produce around. Our produce is never refrigerated. Imagine food so fresh you may have to wipe the dirt off yourself!

U PICK FAQs

Is U Pick open?

U Pick is open from late July to late August. We have Saskatoon Berries, 4 varieties of Sour Cherries, and a variety of apples available during our U-Pick. However, they are not all available at the same time. Stay in the know for what’s in season by following us on Facebook and Instagram.

When does U Pick Start?

U Pick is open from late July to late August, weather dependent.

How much does U Pick Cost?

The grazing fee for U-Pick is $2 per person (kids 5 and under are free).

Is there parking?

Yes, we have easy access parking to our U-Pick Orchards, including handicap parking.

Do you supply buckets for U Pick?

Yes, we have your bucket needs covered!