Whether it’s from the grocery store down the street or a local farmer’s market, I am always looking for the best deal on fruits and vegetables. I am not a vegetarian, but I do gravitate more towards meatless dishes and recipes.
One thing I have learned the past few years is when to buy fruits and vegetables. Trust me, food always tastes better when it’s fresh, but purchasing seasonal veggies gets you more than just great taste. It’s also a great time to save some cash. When certain foods are in season, the relative abundance of certain crops usually makes it less expensive.
This is due to the basic law of supply and demand, and when crops are in season, you’ll be rewarded by purchasing what’s growing now.
For example, let’s talk about Strawberries.
I don’t know about you, but I am always in the mood for a great tasting, juicy strawberry. Think of the packaged strawberries you see in the grocery store during the winter – a majority of them lack their vibrant red color, with most of them speckled with white spots, cost about $7 per pound.
In contrast, the giant, bright red, juicy strawberries you see in the grocery stores and farmer’s markets in the summer when strawberries are in-season often sell for around $4 per pound.
One of my favorite things to do on Saturdays is visiting my local farmer’s market. Not only do I get to buy fresh fruits and veggies, but I also get to see where my food is coming from. When food is not in season locally, it’s either grown in a hothouse or shipped in from other parts of the world. It’s a huge benefit for me to see the actual farms for the foods I’m about to consume.
So the big question – when is the best time to buy fruits and vegetables to ensure you are getting the best price?
In this article, I break down all of my favorite fruits and vegetables in a month-by-month guide based on season. I also keep this guide on my fridge as a reference.
This helps me plan out my favorite recipes and meal plans. Please keep in mind that this list does not contain all fruits and vegetables. I have included all of my go-to-fruits and vegetables that my family enjoys the most. For a more detailed list visit the United States Department of Agriculture’s Seasonal Produce Guide.
FALL SEASON
SEPTEMBER
FRUITS
- Apples
- Cantaloupe
- Mangoes
- Pomegranates
VEGETABLES
- Acorn Squash
- Beets
- Butternut Squash
- Cauliflower
- Eggplant
- Green Beans
- Lettuce
- Mushrooms
- Pumpkins
- Spinach
- Sweet Potatoes
- Tomatoes
OCTOBER
FRUITS
- Apples
- Cranberries
- Grapes
- Pomegranates
VEGETABLES
- Pumpkins
- Winter Squash
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Sweet Potatoes
- Cabbage
- Turnips
NOVEMBER
FRUITS
- Cranberries
- Oranges
- Pears
- Tangerines
VEGETABLES
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
- Sweet Potatoes
- Winter Squash
- Mushrooms
WINTER SEASON
DECEMBER
FRUITS
- Grapefruit
- Oranges
- Papayas
- Pears
- Pomegranates
- Tangerines
VEGETABLES
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Mushrooms
- Sweet Potatoes
JANUARY
FRUITS
- Grapefruit
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Tangerines
- Papayas
VEGETABLES
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Turnips
FEBRUARY
FRUITS
- Grapefruit
- Lemons
- Papayas
- Oranges
VEGETABLES
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Rutabagas
SPRING SEASON
MARCH
FRUITS
- Pineapples
- Mangoes
VEGETABLES
- Artichokes
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Lettuce
APRIL
FRUITS
- Pineapples
- Mangoes
VEGETABLES
- Zucchini
- Rhubarb
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Spring Peas
- Broccoli
- Lettuce
MAY
FRUITS
- Cherries
- Pineapples
- Apricots
- Mangoes
- Strawberries
VEGETABLES
- Okra
- Zucchini
- Rhubarb
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Spring Peas
- Broccoli
- Lettuce
SUMMER SEASON
JUNE
FRUITS
- Apricots
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cherries
- Kiwi
- Mangoes
- Peaches
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
VEGETABLES
- Corn
- Lettuce
- Zucchini
- Recipe: Simple Blueberry Pie
JULY
FRUITS
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Cantaloupe
- Blueberries
- Peaches
- Apricots
- Kiwi
- Raspberries
- Plums
- Blackberries
VEGETABLES
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Summer Squash
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Lettuce
- Zucchini
AUGUST
FRUITS
- Apples
- Apricots
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Kiwi
- Mangoes
- Peaches
- Plums
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
VEGETABLES
- Acorn Squash
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Figs
- Green Beans
- Lettuce
- Peppers
- Summer Squash
- Tomatoes
- Winter Squash
- Zucchini
YEAR-ROUND
FRUITS
- Bananas
- Coconut
VEGETABLES
- Celery
- Potatoes
DOWNLOAD THE FREE SEASONAL GUIDE HERE
Latest posts by kumiko Ehrmantraut (see all)
- How to Use a Budget Calendar - May 23, 2019
DNN says
November 28, 2017 at 5:48 pmI sometimes stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables because I own vegetable juicing machine. The Newark farmers market a few miles from my residence sells 50 pound bags of carrots for virtually $20. That’s a pretty good deal, isn’t it? I learned that carrots have a high amount of beta-carotene which helps to correct I vision and other things in the human body. I feel it’s good to stock up on carrots and keep them in a cold place, because you may not want to go to the supermarket Sunday and purchase carrots and stand in the line. Additionally, I feel it’s good to stock up on carrots and other fresh fruits and vegetables because it gets you in the positive habit of consistently juicing fresh fruits and vegetables for continued health and vitality.. Thank you for this thought-provoking post on buying fruits and vegetables month by month. 🙂
Dheeraj Singh says
December 8, 2017 at 1:52 amGreat blog I’ve always been confused about which fruits and vegetables to buy in which month think my problem has been solved, thanks for such a great blog.