What’s In Season?

Fight Back: Get your produce from the Producer!

This post is part of Fight Back Fridays, hosted by Food Renegade.

Browsing farmer’s markets and my CSA box each month has provided me a list of what is in season in the southeastern U.S. each month. I’d like to share it with you to get you started. Please keep in mind that growing conditions vary around the U.S. So, even though we have a five to six-month window for tomatoes, someone in the Pacific Northwest might only have a three to four-month window, depending on the varieties available. Another note: Foods listed as being in season in a particular month doesn’t mean it will be available the whole month. Lettuce, for example, bolts and runs to seed in hot weather. So, a prolonged hot spell in June could end the season very quickly.

At the farmer’s market or butcher, keep an eye out for seasonal meat specials as well. Lamb often goes on a very good sale near Passover; ham around Easter, and of course, turkey at Thanksgiving. If you have a storage freezer, stocking up on seasonal meats when they are least expensive will help clear your budget for more expensive items later.

This list should give you a good idea of when prices should be low and nutrition high for popular fruits and veggies.

March: Garlic, chives, radishes, sorrel, chicory, endive, leeks, dandelion greens

April: Artichokes, asparagus, beans, chicory, chives, dandelion greens, horseradish, leeks, lettuce, oranges, peas, rhubarb, shallots, watercress

May: Lettuce, strawberries, mesclun, green onions, peas, radishes, small summer squash, spinach, carrots, small cucumbers, some beans, kale, fennel, blackberries

June: Lettuce, green onions, small summer squash, spianch, carrots, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, blueberries, sweet onions, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, melons, apricots, basil, cherries, peaches, plums, raspberries, watermelon

July: A few leftover carrots, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, sweet onions, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, melons, corn peppers, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, eggplant, fennel, plums, watermelon, basil, peaches, raspberries

August: Lots and lots of zucchini, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, sweet onions, potatoes, melons, corn, peppers, small winter squash, baby sweet potatoes, apples, apricots, basil, figs, grapes, peaches, plums, raspberries, fennel

September: Lettuce, mesclun, zucchini, tatsoi, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, sweet onions, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, melons, peppers, winter squash, sweet potatoes, small pumpkins, turnips and turnip greens, mustard and collard greens, beets and beet greens, apples, Japanese eggplant, fennel, figs, grapes, pears, shallots

October/November: Lettuce, mesclun, radishes, spinach, carrots, late-variety cucumbers, beans, late tomatoes, green tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, hot peppers, winter squash, sweet potatoes, turnips and turnip greens, mustard and collard greens, beets and beet greens, apples, brussels sprouts, cranberries, grapes, leeks, oranges, parsnips, pears, pomegranates, star fruit, shallots