Seasonal Fruit and Vegetable Shopping Guide

The seasonal fruit and vegetable shopping guide will show you when fresh food is really in season. Buy in the right season, stock up and save.

One of the best ways that I have been able to build out my pantry is by paying attention to the buying cycles for fresh fruits and vegetables.

I grow a fair amount of produce for fresh eating, but we don’t have the space to raise large quantities for preserving. Instead, I pay attention to when fresh food is likely to be on sale and take advantage of it.

Use Asparagus as an Example  

I approach it in 2 different ways. First, at the beginning of the season, when asparagus first gets to the store, and the price begins to moderate, usually in May, I’ll buy a few extra bunches each week and then blanch and preserve it in the freezer. We’ll eat a pound and preserve a pound. 

Next, when the season gets towards the end, somewhere in June, and the price gets low because the market is flooded with it (in the .99 cents a pound range), I’ll ask the grocer to sell me a whole box of asparagus. It comes in 20-pound boxes, and this gives us asparagus in the pantry for almost the rest of the year. 

Twenty pounds, you say! I’ll pickle some, freeze some in diced pieces, and cook some up in breakfast egg muffins or frittata and then freeze those.  

Find a Friendly Grocer

Sometimes your local grocer will cooperate, sometimes he won’t, don’t put up with the no – find one who will. Contact the manager of the store where you do your regular shopping and ask – well in advance of the season – if they will sell you full boxes of produce. If they will, you’ll need to know how much each box weighs because some produce comes in 20-pound boxes and some in 40-pound boxes.

Don’t think you can use a whole 20 pounds of asparagus? Ask a friend to split it with you. The savings of purchasing in bulk will be worth it.  

Alternatively, ask the purveyor at a local produce stand. They will definitely have access to fresh produce in bulk and will be happy to sell it to you. Be sure to shop prices before you start inquiring, so you know what the going price per pound should be. 

These are the typical harvest dates for 52 common fruits and vegetables. What does that mean exactly? Since most produce is available to us year-round it may seem that harvest dates are no longer important. While it is true that we often have unlimited availability to fresh fruits and vegetables, when you purchase them in the month they are typically harvested you will get a batter price.

It’s all about supply and demand! Have you ever noticed that corn is available year-round, but if you purchase it in May through August, you can often get 10 ears for $1.00? Once the market is saturated with any one fruit or vegetable the price goes way down and your savings increase.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables By Average Harvest Month

January:  Apple, Avocado, Coconut, Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, Pear, Broccoli, Cabbage, Mushroom, Parsnip, Turnip,

February: Apple, Avocado, Coconut, Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, Pear, Pineapple, Broccoli, Lettuce, Mushroom, Parsnip, Turnip,

March: Apple, Avocado, Coconut, Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, Pear, Pineapple, Artichoke, Broccoli, Lettuce, Mushroom, Parsnip, Spinach, Turnip,

April: Apple, Grapefruit, Lemon, Mango, Orange, Pear, Pineapple, Artichoke, Green Bean, Broccoli, Mushroom, Parsnip, Pea, Spinach,

May: Apple, Cherry, Grapefruit, Lime, Mango, Melon, Orange, Pear, Pineapple, Artichoke, Asparagus, Green Bean, Broccoli, Corn, Cucumber, Okra, Pea, Radish, Spinach,

June: Apricot, Avocado, Blueberry, Cherry, Grapefruit, Kiwi, Lime, Mango, Melon, Peach & Nectarine, Papaya, Pineapple, Plum, Raspberry,  Strawberry, Artichoke, Asparagus, Green Bean, Beet, Corn, Cucumber, Okra, Pea, Radish, Zucchini

July: Apricot, Avocado, Blueberry, Fig, Kiwi, Lime, Mango, Melon, Peach & Nectarine, Papaya, Pineapple, Plum, Raspberry, Strawberry, Green Bean, Beet, Corn, Cucumber, Okra, Pea, Pepper, Potato, Radish, Tomato, Zucchini

August: Avocado, Avocado, Blueberry, Fig, Kiwi, Lime, Mango, Melon, Peach & Nectarine, Pear, Pineapple, Plum, Raspberry, Watermelon, Green Bean, Beet, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Okra, Onion, Pepper, Potato, Tomato, Zucchini

September: Apple, Avocado, Coconut, Fig, Melon, Peach & Nectarine, Pear, Plum, Raspberry, Watermelon, Green Bean, Beet, Cauliflower, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Eggplant, Okra, Onion, Pepper, Potato, Sweet Potato, Tomato, Turnip, Winter Squash,

October: Apple, Avocado, Coconut, Grapefruit, Pear, Raspberry, Green Bean, Beet, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrots, Celery, Lettuce, Onion, Parsnip, Sweet Potato, Turnip, Winter Squash,

November: Apple, Avocado, Coconut, Grapefruit, Orange, Pear, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrots, Celery, Lettuce, Mushroom, Onion, Parsnip, Sweet Potato, Turnip, Winter Squash,

December: Apple, Avocado, Coconut, Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, Pear, Broccoli, Cabbage, Mushroom, Onion, Parsnip, Sweet Potato, Turnip,

Join me for the 30 Day Pantry Challenge

Do you want to get your pantry in tip-top shape? Join Shelle at Rockin W Homestead and Darcy at The Purposeful Pantry for the 30-Day Pantry Challenge. We’ll get you squared away, storing food that your family will actually love eating. Find out more and join us.