Your Ultimate Fall Produce Guide

Getty Images | REDA&CO / Contributor
Getty Images | REDA&CO / Contributor

Summer may traditionally get all the glory, but we look forward to Fall even more eagerly, as it's synonymous with harvest season. Crisp air ushers in a bumper crop of juicy pears, crisp apples, and earthy-sweet pumpkins and squash, and for a while, warm-weather favorites like tomatoes, berries, and eggplant are still at their peak — the best of both worlds. Click through to find out what treasures to look for and how long they'll be available, then get to enjoying this magical time of year.

Apples
POPSUGAR Photography | Jae Payne

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
POPSUGAR Photography | Jae Payne

Asian Pears

Asian pears 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
POPSUGAR Photography | Jae Payne

Blackberries

Blackberries are available as early as May and as late as October.

Broccoli
POPSUGAR Photography | Jae Payne

Broccoli

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

Butternut Squash
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Butternut Squash

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

Celeriac
Flickr user matupplevelser

Celeriac

Celeriac's peak season runs April through December.

Chanterelle Mushrooms
Flickr user bjaglin

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
POPSUGAR Photography | Camilla Salem

Chestnuts

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

Cranberries
Flickr user calliope

Cranberries

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

Cucumbers
POPSUGAR Photography

Cucumbers

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

Eggplant
Flickr user dominicotine

Eggplant

Look for squat and sturdy globe eggplants and slender Japanese varieties from July through October.

Endive
Flickr user walthubis

Endive

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

Escarole
Flickr user wickenden

Escarole

Escarole is abundant in the Fall and Winter months.

Figs
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Figs

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

Ginger
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

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 1:1.

Grapefruit
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

Grapefruit

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

Grapes
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Grapes

Juicy grapes are typically available from July through December.

Guava
Flickr user eikoeikoeiko

Guava

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

Honeydew Melon
Flickr user Mike Mozart

Honeydew Melon

Honeydew melon's season runs from June to November.

Kale
POPSUGAR Photography | Jae Payne

Kale

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

Kiwi
Flickr user kyliemcdonald

Kiwi

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

Kohlrabi
POPSUGAR Photography

Kohlrabi

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

Limes
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

Limes

Limes are typically at market from October through April.

Long Beans
Flickr user twisted-string

Long Beans

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

Mustard Greens
Flickr user sackton

Mustard Greens

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

Okra
Flickr user Natalie Maynor

Okra

Okra season typically runs June through November.

Parsnips
Flickr user clairity

Parsnips

Parsnips' peak season runs October through April.

Pears
POPSUGAR Photography | Grace Hitchcock

Pears

Juicy pears are at their peak from August till November.

Persimmons
POPSUGAR Photography

Persimmons

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

Pomelos
Flickr user missbossy

Pomelos

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

Pomegranates
POPSUGAR Photography

Pomegranates

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

Pumpkins
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

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
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Purslane

Purslane is typically available from April through December.

Raspberries
POPSUGAR Photography | Jae Payne

Raspberries

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

Satsumas
Flickr user Janine

Satsumas

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

Strawberries
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Strawberries

Strawberries 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
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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
Flickr user studiobeerhorst

Sunchokes

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

Tomatoes
POPSUGAR Photography

Tomatoes

From rainbow-hued heirloom varietals to juicy Early Girls 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
Flickr user ghirson

Turnips

Turnip season runs from September through April.

Quinces
Flickr user francapicc

Quinces

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

Watermelons
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Watermelons

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

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