There are benefits to eating fresh, seasonal produce at its peak during a particular time of year, according to what's being harvested. It will not only taste its absolute best on its own or in any dish, but its nutrients will be better retained. Plus, shopping consciously and buying local is often more environmentally-friendly and cheaper than buying imported produce. So, if you're ready to switch to fruits and vegetables in season, here's a handy guide and monthly seasonal produce chart to help you on your next shopping trip. Keep in mind, depending on your region and climate, this list will vary.
Seasonal produce: what produce is in season each month?
Here's a month by month breakdown of what produce is in season.
January
Hearty produce types are freshest in January. Think cruciferous vegetables like brussels sprouts and kale, along with beets, leeks, sweet potatoes, and winter squash, including acorn, spaghetti, and butternut. For fruits, opt for citrus types like oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and lemons. And when you're on the go, Bobo's fruit bars make the perfect snack.
Fruits
- Oranges
- Grapefruit
- Tangerines
- Lemons
Vegetables
- Brussels sprouts
- Kale
- Beets
- Leeks
- Sweet potatoes
- Winter squash
February
Most of what's in season in January will also be fresh in February, along with cabbage and turnips.
Fruits
- Oranges
- Grapefruit
- Tangerines
- Lemons
Vegetables
- Cabbage
- Turnips
- Brussels sprouts
- Kale
- Beets
- Leeks
- Sweet potatoes
- Winter squash
March
As the March weather gets milder in many places, you can often find fresh greens like spinach, Swiss chard, and collard greens. Green beans, broccoli, radishes, and mushrooms are super fresh at this time of year, too. When shopping for fruit, look for strawberries, mangoes, and kiwi.
Fruits
- Strawberries
- Mangoes
- Kiwi
Vegetables
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Collard greens
- Green beans
- Broccoli
- Radishes
- Mushrooms
April
The produce you found last month will still be seasonal in April, as will peas, asparagus, and rhubarb, once the weather warms up.
Fruits
- Strawberries
- Mangoes
- Kiwi
Vegetables
- Peas
- Asparagus
- Rhubarb*
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Collard greens
- Green beans
- Broccoli
- Radishes
- Mushrooms
May
During May, you'll often see similar spring produce as you did in April, plus summer gems like apricots, strawberries, zucchini, and okra.
Fruits
- Apricots
- Strawberries
- Mangoes
- Kiwi
Vegetables
- Zucchini
- Okra*
- Peas
- Asparagus
- Rhubarb*
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Collard greens
- Green beans
- Broccoli
- Radishes
- Mushrooms
June
Refreshing, juicy summer fruits pop up in June, like cherries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, plums, cantaloupe, and watermelon. You'll also find avocados, bell peppers, cucumbers, corn, and tomatoes. Visit a farmers' market for these goodies and more.
Fruits
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Peaches
- Plums
- Cantaloupe
- Watermelon
Vegetables
- Avocados*
- Bell peppers
- Cucumbers
- Corn
- Tomatoes*
July
A lot of what's fresh in June will be fresh in July, too. This is the perfect month for barbecues and cookouts, where grilled veggies are perfect. Think corn, tomatoes, zucchini, and bell peppers.
Fruits
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Peaches
- Plums
- Cantaloupe
- Watermelon
Vegetables
- Avocados*
- Bell peppers
- Cucumbers
- Corn
- Tomatoes*
- Zucchini
August
As you enjoy that summer sun through August, fresh eggplant, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, bell peppers, green beans, and summer squash will remain in season, as will melons, berries, peaches, apricots, mangoes, and kiwis.
Fruits
- Berries
- Peaches
- Melons
- Mangoes
- Apricots
- Kiwi
Vegetables
- Eggplant
- Bell peppers
- Cucumbers
- Corn
- Tomatoes*
- Green beans
- Summer squash
September
September is when summer turns to fall, and with that comes fresh fruit like grapes, cranberries, pomegranates, pears, pumpkin, and apples. Look for veggies like potatoes, yams, winter squash, mushrooms, kale, broccoli, beets, turnips, parsnips, and cauliflower.
Fruits
- Cranberries
- Grapes
- Apples
- Pears
- Pumpkin*
- Pomegranates
Vegetables
- Kale
- Mushrooms
- Potatoes
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Yams
- Parsnips
- Beets
- Turnips
- Winter squash
October
You'll find most of the same fresh produce this month as you did last, plus celery and brussels sprouts added to the mix.
Fruits
- Grapes
- Cranberries
- Apples
- Pears
- Pomegranates
Vegetables
- Kale
- Mushrooms
- Celery
- Potatoes
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Brussels sprouts
- Yams
- Parsnips
- Beets
- Turnips
- Winter squash
November
Fruits
- Grapes
- Cranberries
- Apples
- Pears
- Pomegranates
- Pumpkins*
- Oranges
Vegetables
- Kale
- Mushrooms
- Celery
- Potatoes
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Brussels sprouts
- Yams
- Parsnips
- Beets
- Turnips
- Winter squash
December
The cold month of December gives way to fresh collard greens, kale, turnips, sweet potatoes, pomegranates, and pears, along with other in season produce similar to what you'll see in November and January.
Fruits
- Pears
- Pomegranates
Vegetables
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Turnips
- Sweet potatoes
Seasonal produce chart: fruits and vegetables in season
Whether you're looking for quick snacks or whipping up some recipes using fresh seasonal produce, use this chart for quick, easy reference.
* These foods are usually eaten as a fruit or vegetable but are technically classified as the opposite.