These Infographics Show When Fruits and Vegetables Are in Season for Every Month of the Year

Plan to purchase your fruits and vegetables during their peak seasons—you'll not only enjoy them more, you'll save money while maximizing nutrition.

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Fruits in season canada - Person carrying basket of seasonal fruits and vegetables
Photo: Shutterstock

Which fruits and vegetables are in season?

Think of the experience of eating a perfectly ripe, juicy summer tomato—its rich red colour, perfect consistency, bursting with flavour. Buying in-season fruits and vegetables always taste better—and that’s not the only benefit, according to Lisa Hayim, RD, a dietitian in New York City. When you purchase produce at peak season, you get more natural nutrients, she says. “Because seasonal fruits and vegetables don’t undergo lengthy transit times to get from farm to your kitchen, these integral vitamins and minerals are more likely to be preserved by the time you’re ready to eat your produce,” she says.

You’ll also save money: Shorter travel times for your produce means lower shipping costs, which lowers the grocer’s price—savings that get passed on to you at checkout. There’s also the law of supply and demand, says Lindsey Pine, a dietitian in Los Angeles, California. “When fruits and veggies are in season, the farmers will most likely have an abundance of the crop and prices will go down.”

If you’re looking for the freshest of the fresh, your local farmer’s market is a great place to start. And if you’re short on shopping time, join a community-supported agriculture association for fresh, picked-that-morning produce sourced directly from a local farm. And when you’re shopping at the grocery store, you can buy in season with this guide to ensure you get the biggest nutritional bang for your buck.

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Tatiana Ayazo/RD.com

December

  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Grapefruit
  • Kale
  • Leeks
  • Mushrooms
  • Oranges
  • Papayas
  • Parsnips
  • Pears
  • Pomegranates
  • Rutabagas
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Tangelos
  • Tangerines
  • Turnips

January

  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Grapefruit
  • Kale
  • Leeks
  • Lemons
  • Oranges
  • Parsnips
  • Rutabagas
  • Tangelos
  • Tangerines
  • Turnips

February

  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Grapefruit
  • Kale
  • Leeks
  • Lemons
  • Oranges
  • Parsnips
  • Rutabagas
  • Tangelos
  • Tangerines
  • Turnips

Here are the foods you should never eat past the expiration date.

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Tatiana Ayazo/RD.com

March

  • Artichokes
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cauliflower
  • Leeks
  • Lettuce
  • Mushrooms
  • Parsnips
  • Pineapples
  • Radishes
  • Rutabagas
  • Turnips

April

  • Artichokes
  • Asparagus
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Leeks
  • Lettuce
  • Mushrooms
  • Pineapples
  • Radishes
  • Rhubarb
  • Spring peas

May

  • Apricots
  • Artichokes
  • Asparagus
  • Cherries
  • Lettuce
  • Mangoes
  • Okra
  • Pineapples
  • Radishes
  • Rhubarb
  • Spring peas
  • Strawberries
  • Swiss chard
  • Zucchini

Check out the best foods to boost your metabolism.

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Tatiana Ayazo/RD.com

June

  • Apricots
  • Blueberries
  • Cantaloupe
  • Cherries
  • Corn
  • Kiwi
  • Lettuce
  • Mangoes
  • Peaches
  • Strawberries
  • Swiss chard
  • Watermelon
  • Zucchini

July

  • Apricots
  • Blackberries
  • Blueberries
  • Cantaloupe
  • Corn
  • Cucumbers
  • Green beans
  • Kiwi
  • Kohlrabi
  • Lettuce
  • Mangoes
  • Okra
  • Peaches
  • Peppers
  • Plums
  • Raspberries
  • Strawberries
  • Summer squash
  • Swiss chard
  • Tomatoes
  • Watermelon
  • Zucchini

August

  • Acorn squash
  • Apples
  • Apricots
  • Blueberries
  • Butternut squash
  • Cantaloupe
  • Corn
  • Cucumbers
  • Eggplant
  • Figs
  • Green beans
  • Kiwi
  • Kohlrabi
  • Lettuce
  • Mangoes
  • Okra
  • Peaches
  • Peppers
  • Plums
  • Raspberries
  • Strawberries
  • Summer squash
  • Swiss chard
  • Tomatoes
  • Watermelon
  • Winter squash
  • Zucchini

Learn about the health benefits of beets.

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Tatiana Ayazo/RD.com

September

  • Acorn squash
  • Apples
  • Beets
  • Butternut squash
  • Cantaloupe
  • Cauliflower
  • Eggplant
  • Figs
  • Grapes
  • Green beans
  • Lettuce
  • Mangoes
  • Mushrooms
  • Okra
  • Peppers
  • Persimmons
  • Pomegranates
  • Pumpkins
  • Spinach
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Swiss chard
  • Tomatoes

October

  • Acorn squash
  • Apples
  • Beets
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Butternut squash
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Cranberries
  • Grapes
  • Leeks
  • Lettuce
  • Mushrooms
  • Parsnips
  • Persimmons
  • Pomegranates
  • Pumpkins
  • Rutabagas
  • Spinach
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Swiss chard
  • Turnips
  • Winter squash

November

  • Beets
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Cranberries
  • Leeks
  • Mushrooms
  • Oranges
  • Parsnips
  • Pears
  • Persimmons
  • Pomegranates
  • Pumpkins
  • Rutabagas
  • Spinach
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Tangerines
  • Turnips
  • Winter squash

Next, check out the best foods for your heart!

The Healthy
Originally Published on The Healthy

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