Year-Round Produce Guide By Hemisphere
All produce has an optimal time of year to be grown, harvested, and purchased. Use this year-round produce guide by hemisphere to navigate. This is not only so we can enjoy high-quality and flavoursome fruits and vegetables, but also to reduce environmental impact. Eating seasonally means we’re choosing to eat freshly harvested produce. This reduces the energy use and emissions associated with importing foods, transport, and storage. With 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions coming from agriculture, forestry, and other land uses, one of the best sustainable steps we can take to reduce the environmental impact of our food is to eat seasonally.
Keep in mind, in this article you’ll find a general list of seasonal produce for each hemisphere of our earth. It’s best to also research your local area to see what’s in season and available. While choosing food that’s in season will reduce your footprint, there are a number of other steps you can take to eat more sustainably. These include:
- Growing your own food or eating locally-grown produce
- Going plant-based or vegan
- Reducing waste by avoiding packaged foods
- Using reusable jars, bags, and produce bags when grocery shopping
- Composting your scraps
- Choosing organic, biodynamic, and regeneratively grown foods
- Learning more about how and where your food is grown
And, don’t forget to bring reusable shopping and produce bags when you grocery shop!
A Year-Round Produce Guide By Hemisphere:
In temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere, the warmest months are generally May, June, and July with the coolest months landing in November, December, and January. In temperate regions in the Southern Hemisphere, the warmer and cooler months are generally opposite. Here, you’ll find the warmest months are usually November, December, and January and the coolest months are May, June, and July.
Staying aware of the seasons in your region is important because it directly correlates with what local produce is available during each time of year. This also means you can avoid the food that has to be imported or stored, and make more sustainable choices.
Northern Hemisphere:
Below you’ll find a list of which foods are best to purchase or grow in the Northern Hemisphere in each month of the year.
January
Artichokes, Apples, Beets/Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Kale, Leeks, Lemons, Mushrooms, Onions, Oranges, Parsnips, Pears, Potatoes, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Shallots, Spring Onions, Squash, Swedes, Turnips
February
Artichokes, Apples, Beets/Beetroot, Bok Choy, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Chicory, Kale, Leeks, Lemons, Mushrooms, Onions, Oranges, Parsnips, Pears, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Spring Onions, Squash, Swedes
March
Artichokes, Beets/Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrots, Chicory, Kale, Leeks, Parsnip, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Parsnip, Radishes, Rhubarb, Sorrel, Spring Onions, Watercress
April
Artichoke, Arugula/Rocket, Asparagus, Beets/Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrots, Chicory, New Potatoes, Kale, Leeks, Morel Mushrooms, Parsnips, Peas, Radishes, Rhubarb, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Onions, Watercress
May
Artichoke, Arugula/Rocket, Asparagus, Aubergine/Eggplant, Beets/Beetroot, Chicory, Chillies, Elderflowers, Lettuce, Marrow, New Potatoes, Peas, Peppers, Radishes, Rhubarb, Samphire, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Strawberries, Watercress
June
Asparagus, Arugula/Rocket, Aubergine/Eggplant, Beets/Beetroot, Blackcurrants, Blueberries, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Cantaloupe, Cauliflower, Cherries, Chicory, Chillies, Courgettes/Zucchini, Cucumber, Elderflowers, Gooseberries, Lettuce, Marrow, Parsley, Peas, Peppers, Radishes, Raspberries, Redcurrants, Rhubarb, Runner Beans, Samphire, Sorrel, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Swiss Chard, Turnips, Watercress
July
Arugula/Rocket, Aubergine/Eggplant, Beets/Beetroot, Blackberries, Blackcurrants, Blueberries, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cherries, Chicory, Chillies, Courgettes/Zucchini, Cucumber, Fennel, French Beans, Garlic, Gooseberries, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Potatoes, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Radishes, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Runner Beans, Samphire, Sorrel, Spinach, Spring Onions, Shallots, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Swish Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress
August
Arugula/Rocket, Aubergine/Eggplant, Beets/Beetroot, Blackberries, Blueberries, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Cherries, Chicory, Chillies, Courgettes/Zucchini, Cucumber, Fennel, French Beans, Garlic, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Marrow, Mushrooms, Parsnips, Peas, Peppers, Plums, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Radishes, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Runner Beans, Samphire, Sorrel, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Sweetcorn, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Watercress
September
Apples, Arugula/Rocket, Aubergine/Eggplant, Beets/Beetroot, Blackberries, Blueberries, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Courgettes/Zucchini, Chicory, Chillies, Cucumber, Fennel, Figs, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Marrow, Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Peas, Peppers, Plums, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Raspberries, Radishes, Runner Beans, Samphire, Shallots, Sorrel, Spinach, Spinach, Spring Onions, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Sweetcorn, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress
October
Artichokes, Apples, Arugula/Rocket, Aubergine/Eggplant, Beets/Beetroot, Blackberries, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chestnuts, Chicory, Chillies, Courgettes/Zucchini, Cucumber, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Marrow, Mushrooms, Onions, Pak choi, Parsnips, Pears, Peas, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Radishes, Runner Beans, Spinach, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Squash, Swede, Sweetcorn, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress,
November
Artichokes, Apples, Beets/Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chestnuts, Chicory, Cranberries, Kale, Mushrooms, Leeks, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Swede, Swiss Chard, Turnips, Watercress
December
Artichokes, Apples, Beets/Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chestnuts, Chicory, Cranberries, Kale, Leeks, Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Red Cabbage, Swede, Swiss Chard, Turnips, Watercress
Bringing reusable produce bags to the grocery store helps to eliminate plastic.
Southern Hemisphere:
Below you’ll find a list of which foods are best to purchase or grow in the Southern Hemisphere in each month of the year.
January
Asparagus, Avocados, Bananas, Beans, Beetroot, Blackberries, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Brassicas, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Capsicum, Carrots, Celery, Chard, Cherries, Chillies, Corn, Cucumber, Dragon Fruit, Eggplant, Fennel, Figs, Garlic, Grapes, Honeydew, Lemons, Limes, Lychees, Mangoes, Mushrooms, Nectarines, Oranges, Onions, Pak Choy, Parsnips, Passionfruit, Pears, Peaches, Pineapples, Plums, Pumpkin, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Rhubarb, Rockmelon, Strawberries, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watermelon, Zucchini
February
Apples, Avocados, Bananas, Beans, Beetroot, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Capsicum, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Chillies, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Fennel, Figs, Garlic, Ginger, Grapefruit, Grapes, Leeks, Lemons, Lettuce, Limes, Mushrooms, Nectarines, Oranges, Onions, Pak Choy, Passionfruit, Pears, Peaches, Pineapples, Plums, Pumpkin, Potatoes, Rhubarb, Silverbeet, Spring Onion, Strawberries, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Zucchini
March
Apples, Avocados, Bananas, Beans, Beetroot, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Capsicum, Carrots, Celery, Chillies, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Ginger, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Kiwifruit, Leeks, Lemons, Limes, Mushrooms, Nectarines, Onions, Oranges, Pak Choy, Papaya, Parsley, Passionfruit, Peaches, Pears, Peas, Pineapples, Plums, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Radish, Rhubarb, Silverbeet, Shallots, Spinach, Strawberries, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Zucchini
April
Apples, Asparagus, Avocados, Bananas, Beans, Beetroot, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Ginger, Grapefruit, Grapes, Kiwifruit, Leeks, Lemons, Lettuce, Limes, Mandarins, Mushrooms, Onions, Oranges, Papaya, Parsley, Passionfruit, Pears, Peas, Persimmons, Pineapples, Plums, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Radish, Silverbeet, Spinach, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Zucchini
May
Apples, Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocados, Bananas, Beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Ginger, Grapefruit, Grapes, Kiwifruit, Leeks, Lemons, Lettuce, Limes, Mandarins, Mushrooms, Onions, Oranges, Papaya, Parsley, Passionfruit, Pears, Persimmons, Pineapples, Plums, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Radish, Silverbeet, Spinach, Strawberries, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Zucchini
June
Apples, Artichokes, Avocados, Bananas, Beans, Beetroot, Blueberries, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Ginger, Grapefruit, Grapes, Kiwifruit, Leeks, Lemons, Lettuce, Limes, Mandarins, Mushrooms, Onions, Oranges, Parsley, Passionfruit, Pears, Peas, Pineapples, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Rhubarb, Rockmelon, Silverbeet, Spinach, Strawberries, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Zucchini
July
Artichokes, Avocados, Bananas, Beans, Beetroot, Blueberries, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Ginger, Grapefruit, Grapes, Kiwifruit, Leeks, Lemons, Lettuce, Mandarins, Mushrooms, Onions, Oranges, Parsley, Passionfruit, Pears, Peas, Pineapples, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Rhubarb, Silverbeet, Spinach, Strawberries, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Zucchini
August
Artichokes, Avocados, Bananas, Beans, Beetroot, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Fennel, Garlic, Ginger, Grapefruit, Kiwifruit, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lemons, Mandarins, Mushrooms, Oranges, Pak Choy, Parsnips, Passionfruit, Pears, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Rhubarb, Silverbeet, Spring Onions, Squash, Strawberries, Swedes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Zucchini
September
Artichokes, Avocados, Bananas, Beans, Beetroot, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Fennel, Garlic, Ginger, Grapefruit, Kale, Kiwifruit, Lemons, Limes, Mushrooms, Onions, Oranges, Pak Choy, Papaya, Passionfruit, Pears, Pineapples, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Rhubarb, Silverbeet, Spring Onions, Strawberries, Swedes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Zucchini
October
Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocados, Bananas, Basil, Beans, Beetroot, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Capsicum, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Fennel, Garlic, Ginger, Grapefruit, Kale, Leeks, Lemons, Limes, Lettuce, Mandarins, Mushrooms, Onions, Oranges, Pak Choy, Papaya, Passionfruit, Peas, Pineapples, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Rhubarb, Silverbeet, Spring Onions, Strawberries, Spinach, Swedes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Zucchini
November
Asparagus, Avocados, Bananas, Basil, Beans, Beetroot, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Fennel, Garlic, Ginger, Honeydew, Kale, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Mushrooms, Onions, Oranges, Pak Choy, Papaya, Passionfruit, Pears, Pineapples, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Rockmelon, Rhubarb, Silverbeet, Spring Onions, Strawberries, Spinach, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watermelon, Zucchini
December
Apricots, Avocados, Bananas, Beans, Beetroot, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Carrots, Celery, Chard, Cherries, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Fennel, Garlic, Ginger, Honeydew, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Mushrooms, Nectarines, Onions, Oranges, Pak Choy, Passionfruit, Peaches, Plums, Pumpkin, Potatoes, Rhubarb, Rockmelon, Silverbeet, Spring Onions, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watermelon, Zucchini
