What's in Season in February?

Illustration: a bundle of early asparagus on a cutting board with a basket of strawberries and a halved grapefruit

Reliably in season across most of the country

Winter citrus still at peak (oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons), plus the hardy winter spine: cabbage, kale, carrots, beets, parsnips, sweet potatoes, and winter squash and apples from storage in the North.

February region by region

The U.S. runs on more than one harvest clock — the Gulf South peaks in winter, the desert Southwest is a November-to-April operation, and California barely pauses. Here is February in each region, from the same Cooperative Extension calendars behind our state guides.

RegionTypically in season in February
Northeast Storage crops: potatoes, onions, winter squash, carrots, apples (from storage); greenhouse greens
Midwest & Upper Midwest Storage crops: potatoes, winter squash, onions, carrots, apples (from storage); greenhouse greens
Southeast Collards, kale, lettuce, spinach, carrots, radishes, cabbage, broccoli, English peas; sweet potatoes (from storage)
Gulf & Deep South Citrus; broccoli, cabbage, carrots, celery, greens, spring onions; strawberries beginning
Mountain West Storage crops: winter squash, potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbage (from storage); greenhouse greens
Pacific Northwest Overwintered leeks, kale, mushrooms, potatoes; storage apples, pears, squash
California Navel oranges, lemons, tangerines, tangelos, avocados, strawberries, asparagus, artichokes, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, celery, peas, beets, rhubarb
Southwest Desert Lettuce, leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, carrots, citrus; strawberries beginning

Typical regional windows, not town-by-town guarantees — elevation, weather, and growing method shift any crop by weeks. Confirm locally at your market.

Regional highlights this month

  • California: California asparagus begins in the Sacramento Valley — the first fresh spring vegetable in the country — and strawberries ramp up around Watsonville and Oxnard.
  • Gulf & Deep South: Florida strawberries are near peak (the Plant City season runs roughly December into April), alongside fresh potatoes, tomatoes, and winter vegetables.
  • Southwest Desert: Desert lettuce and greens production continues at full winter strength.

Find it fresh near you

The month tells you what to look for; your local market tells you what's actually on the tables this week. Find a farmers market by ZIP code, browse farm stands and u-pick farms to buy at the source, or pull up your state's calendar below for the local version of this month.

Frequently asked questions

What's the first fresh spring produce of the year?

California asparagus, starting in the Sacramento Valley in February, while most of the North is still on storage crops. Florida strawberries — near their February–March peak — are the other genuinely fresh headliner.

When is strawberry season in Florida?

Roughly December through April, peaking February–March (Plant City is the center of the winter crop). It's the inverse of the northern June season — one of the clearest examples of how region decides what “in season” means.

What citrus is best in February?

The full winter lineup is still at peak: navel oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, clementines, lemons, and blood oranges. February is one of the strongest citrus months of the year.

← January · In season now · Your state's calendar · March →

Sources

These are typical regional harvest windows from Cooperative Extension and USDA sources, not a town-by-town guarantee. Where sources conflict, we side with the state-level Extension calendar. Storage crops are labeled as such — winter "in season" in the North usually means well-stored, not freshly picked.