What's in Season at the Farmers Market: A Month-by-Month Produce Calendar
Why "in season" depends on where you live
There's no single national season. A warm-climate state like California, Florida, or Texas starts harvesting weeks earlier and keeps going longer than a cold-winter state like Minnesota, Maine, or Montana. So a calendar that works for one region will be off by a month or more for another.
That's the honest caveat most "what's in season" lists skip: June tomatoes are routine in the South and still a month away up North. Elevation, that year's weather, and whether a farmer uses greenhouses or high tunnels all nudge the timing too. So treat the calendar below as a national rule of thumb — it'll get you close, and the stall in front of you gets you exact. The single most reliable seasonality guide in the country is the farmer who grew the thing, standing behind their table.
Farmers market produce calendar, month by month
Here's what's typically at its peak each month across much of the country. Peak season is when a crop is most abundant, best-tasting, and usually best- priced. Shift it earlier in warm regions, later in cold ones.
| Month | Typically at peak |
|---|---|
| January | Citrus (oranges, grapefruit), kale, leeks, cabbage, beets, winter squash, potatoes |
| February | Citrus, broccoli, cauliflower, leeks, kale, turnips, stored apples |
| March | Spring greens, spinach, radishes, leeks, rhubarb, early asparagus (South) |
| April | Asparagus, peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, rhubarb, strawberries (South) |
| May | Strawberries, asparagus, peas, lettuce, spring onions, new potatoes, rhubarb |
| June | Strawberries, cherries, zucchini, peas, green beans, lettuce, early tomatoes (South) |
| July | Tomatoes, sweet corn, peaches, blueberries, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, melons |
| August | Tomatoes, sweet corn, peaches, melons, peppers, eggplant, summer squash, berries |
| September | Tomatoes, apples, peppers, grapes, eggplant, late corn, early winter squash |
| October | Apples, pumpkins, winter squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts |
| November | Winter squash, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, kale, leeks, pears, cranberries, root vegetables |
| December | Citrus, winter squash, potatoes, kale, leeks, Brussels sprouts, root vegetables |
National-typical peaks, cross-checked against the USDA Seasonal Produce Guide and the region-by-region Seasonal Food Guide. For your exact local timing, check with your market.
Spring: the first fresh things
Spring (roughly March through May) is when markets wake up. Asparagus, peas, radishes, lettuces, spinach, and rhubarb come first, and strawberries arrive toward the end — earlier in the South, later in the North.
After a winter of storage crops, spring produce tastes like a different category of food — tender, bright, and fleeting. Asparagus and peas in particular are worth catching at their peak; they're at their sweetest within days of being picked, which is exactly the advantage a farmers market has over a supermarket supply chain. Spring is also when many markets reopen for the season after a winter break, so it's a good time to find the markets near you and learn the layout before the summer crowds.
Summer: peak abundance
Summer (June through August) is the main event. Tomatoes, sweet corn, peaches, melons, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, and berries pour in. This is when a farmers market is at its fullest, cheapest, and most worth a weekly trip.
The August tomato is the whole argument for shopping seasonally in one bite — picked ripe and sold the same week, it bears almost no resemblance to the pale, gas-ripened version trucked in out of season. Summer is also the time to buy in bulk: when a crop is at its glut, prices drop and quality peaks, so it's the right moment to stock up for freezing, canning, or making sauce. If you're new to navigating a busy summer market, our first-time market guide covers when to go and how to shop it without feeling lost.
Fall: the harvest stretch
Fall (September through November) shifts toward keeping crops. Apples, pumpkins, winter squash, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and root vegetables take over as the tender summer produce winds down.
Fall produce is built to last, which makes it some of the best value at the market — a winter squash or a bag of apples keeps for weeks in a cool spot, so a single trip stretches a long way. It's also peak season for the things people drive to markets specifically for: fresh-pressed cider, just-picked apples by the variety, and pumpkins straight from the field. Many markets run their biggest days in early fall before the season tapers.
Winter: more than you'd think
Winter (December through February) is quieter but not empty. Citrus, hardy greens (kale, collards), storage crops (potatoes, onions, winter squash, carrots, beets), and cold-hardy vegetables like Brussels sprouts and leeks carry the season.
In warm regions, winter is prime citrus season and markets run year-round. In cold regions, many markets move indoors or shift to a monthly schedule — and lean on storage crops plus greenhouse greens. Winter markets are also where you'll find the value-added goods that don't depend on the season at all: eggs, cheese, honey, bread, and preserves. If your usual outdoor market closes for winter, it's worth checking whether a nearby indoor or monthly market keeps going.
How to shop the season at the market
Three habits get you the best of the season: buy what's piled high, ask the farmer what's peaking, and buy extra at the glut. What a vendor has in volume and prices well is almost always what's in season right now.
Walk the whole market once before buying — the abundance tells you the season at a glance. Ask vendors what's just come in and what's nearly done; they'll often point you to the best value of the day. And when something hits its peak and the price drops, that's the moment to buy in quantity and put some up for later. Seasonal shopping isn't about restriction — it's about catching each thing when it's at its best and cheapest. For how that stacks up against the grocery store, see our price breakdown.
Find a market and shop the season
The calendar's only useful with a market to use it at. Find a farmers market near you, then match your trip to what's peaking that month.
Browse markets by state and city to find what's open near you, including which run year-round versus seasonally. Once you know your local market's schedule, the calendar above turns into a simple plan: show up for spring's first asparagus, summer's tomatoes and corn, fall's apples and squash, and winter's citrus and greens — and let the farmers fine-tune the timing for your corner of the country.
Frequently asked questions
What produce is in season right now?
It depends on the month and your region. As a national rule of thumb: spring brings asparagus, peas, and strawberries; summer brings tomatoes, corn, peaches, and melons; fall brings apples, squash, and root vegetables; winter leans on citrus, hardy greens, and stored crops. Check the month-by-month table above, then confirm at your local market — the people who grew it know what's peaking.
Why does what's in season vary by where I live?
Climate. A warm state like California or Florida starts its growing season weeks earlier and runs it longer than a cold-winter state like Minnesota or Maine. So June tomatoes are normal in the South but a month or more away up north. Treat any national calendar as a starting point and let your local farmers fill in the local timing.
Is seasonal produce cheaper at farmers markets?
Often, yes — when a crop is at its peak, it's abundant and local supply is high, which tends to push the market price down. Peak season is when you'll find the best combination of flavor, quality, and value, and it's the best time to buy in quantity for freezing or canning.
How do I know what's actually in season at my market?
Ask. The farmers selling it will tell you what's peaking that week, what's just starting, and what's almost done. What's piled high and priced well is usually what's in season. A national calendar gets you close; the stall in front of you gets you exact.
What's in season in winter at farmers markets?
More than people expect. Winter markets lean on citrus, hardy greens like kale and collards, storage crops (potatoes, winter squash, onions, beets, carrots), and cold-hardy vegetables like Brussels sprouts and leeks. In cold regions, many markets move indoors or run monthly through the winter.
Sources
- USDA SNAP-Ed — Seasonal Produce Guide
- Seasonal Food Guide (region-by-region produce seasons)
- USDA AMS — Local & Regional Food Directories
Peak-season timing varies by region, elevation, weather, and growing method. This calendar reflects national-typical peaks and is a starting point — confirm local timing with the farmers at your market.