Apples

Apple harvest season runs from August through November with some varietals like Gravensteins coming to markets as early as the end of July. The rest of the year, these fruits are available thanks to cold storage.

Asian Pears

Asian pears [4] are harvested in the months of July through November (and are therefore currently at their peak) but are available through cold-storage preservation until April.

Blackberries

Blackberries [5] are available as early as May and as late as October.

Broccoli

Broccoli is available year-round but is at its peak during the chilly Fall and Winter months.

Butternut Squash

Winter squashes like butternut squash [6] are typically harvested October through December and are available as late as early April thanks to their hearty nature.

Celeriac

Celeriac [7]'s peak season runs April through December.

Chanterelle Mushrooms

Earthy chanterelle mushrooms have a season dictated largely by rainfall — they're a foraged rather than cultivated food — and while available intermittently throughout the year, they are most common during the rainy seasons of Fall and Winter.

Chestnuts

As one might guess from their cultural ties to the holiday season, chestnuts [8] are typically available during blustery Fall and Winter months, roughly October through January.

Cranberries

Cranberry harvest typically runs from September through October, and they are available fresh through December.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers [9] are at their peak growing time from early Summer to mid-Fall (June through November).

Eggplant

Look for squat and sturdy globe eggplants [10] and slender Japanese varieties [11] from July through October.

Endive

Endive [12] is available from September to May, but its peak season begins in November.

Escarole

Escarole [13] is abundant in the Fall and Winter months.

Fennel

Fennel [14] is available year-round, with its peak in the Fall months.

Figs

Figs [15] are typically at markets from mid-Summer to early October.

Ginger

Ginger's harvest season runs August through November, and it is available through cold storage all the way into February. During the rest of the year, try substituting ginger juice [16] 1:1.

Grapefruit

Zingy grapefruit [17] can be found at farmers markets from September through April.

Grapes

Juicy grapes are typically available from July through December.

Guava

Guava [18] has a long, luxurious season that kicks off in November and lasts until April.

Honeydew Melon

Honeydew melon [19]'s season runs from June to November.

Jujube Dates

Jujube dates, which are eaten fresh rather than dried, are at farmers markets in September and October.

Kale

While kale [20] is generally available year-round, the peak of its season is in Fall and Winter.

Kiwi

Kiwi (actually a large berry) is typically available September through April, with its peak season running through early Winter.

Kohlrabi

While kohlrabi [21] is available year-round, it really peaks in the colder months: October, November, and December.

Limes

Limes are typically at market from October through April.

Long Beans

Peak long bean [22] season runs from late Summer to early Fall. However, in California and Mexico, they grow year-round.

Mustard Greens

Bitter mustard greens [23] are at farmers markets from October to March.

Nopales

Look for nopales [24], the edible leaves of the prickly pear cactus, through Summer and Fall.

Okra

Okra [25] season typically runs June through November.

Parsnips

Parsnips [26]' peak season runs October through April.

Pears

Juicy pears are at their peak from August till November.

Persimmons

Both hachiya and fuyu persimmons [27] are in season between November and February.

Pomelos

Pomelos, grapefruits' larger cousins, are available from November through April.

Pomegranates

Depending on the harvest, pomegranate [28] season typically runs from October through February.

Pumpkins

Pumpkins are available as early as late September and as late as early April, with their peak falling in the Fall and Winter months.

Purslane

Purslane [29] is typically available from April through December.

Raspberries

Although their peak is in Summer months, raspberries have, thankfully, a long season that runs from May through early November.

Satsumas

Satsumas and their close cousins mandarin oranges and clementines are typically available November through April.

Strawberries

Strawberries [30] are at their sweetest from April to July, though they are available at farmers markets as early as March and as late as October.

Summer Squash

Summer squash (a category that includes pattypan, crookneck, zucchini, yellow, and other heirloom varieties) is typically available from June through late October.

Sunchokes

Sunchokes (also known as Jerusalem artichokes) are typically available during the cooler months of September through April.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes [31] are typically available September through March, with their peak season ending in December.

Tomatoes

From rainbow-hued heirloom varietals [32] to juicy Early Girls [33] to the tiniest grape and cherry versions, tomato season is surprisingly long. Smaller varieties can come to harvest as early as April (but more typically around June) and last till November; larger tomatoes are available through the peak Summer and mid-Fall months.

Turnips

Turnip [34] season runs from September through April.

Quinces

Quince [35] has a supershort but sweet season, lasting from October to December.

Watermelons

Watermelon season peaks in the Summer and lasts from June through October.

Pin It!