I was shopping the other day at our Farmers Market and also at Sprouts Store specializing on fresh produce ( fruits and vegetables) grown locally. There must be at least 100 items you can purchase, but the products that are in season can be yours at bargain prices. I observed that prices here in Sprouts is oftentimes cheaper than in the local Farmer's market except in one or two products.
As most of you probably know California grows about 80% of all fruits and vegetables in the U.S.,so California seasons are, in some ways, the national seasons. Several products are imported from Mexico, Chile, Australia and other countries( bananas, mangoes, papayas etc...)
The following is list of fruits and vegetables arrange alphabetically for your reference and information. The one mark with asterisk are now in season here in Northern California. The list has about 145 items and more than half are in season right now. The list do not include the numerous varieties available for several fruits (apples, oranges, persimmons, grapes etc..) listed here.
Apples, late summer through fall (cold storage until spring)*
Apricots, late spring through early summer
Artichokes, spring and again early fall*
Arugula, available year-round but best in spring and fall*
Asparagus, spring
Avocados, classically summer, but now harvested year-round*
Basil, summer
Beets, year-round*
Belgian Endive, available year-round but best in fall and winter*
Black berrries, summer
Blueberries, summer
Boysenberries, early summer
Broccoli, year-round but best in fall and winter*
Broccoli raab, fall through spring*
Brussels sprouts, late fall and winter*
Cabbage, best in late fall and winter but available year-round*
Cantaloupes, late summer
Cardoons, winter and early spring
Carrots, year-round*
Cauliflower, best in fall and winter but available year-round*
Celeriac/celery root, fall and winter*
Celery, best in fall and winter but available year-round*
Chard, summer and fall*
Cherries, late spring and summer
Chickpeas (a.k.a. garbanzo beans), fresh in summer (dried year-round)*
Chicories, fall and winter*
Chiles, summer
Clementines, winter*
Collard greens, year-round*
Corn, summer
Cucumbers, summer
Edamame, fall*
Eggplant, summer and early fall*
Escarole, fall and winter*
Fava beans, spring
Fennel, fall through spring
Fiddleheads, spring
Figs, summer and fall*
Garlic, summer and fall (stored year-round)*
Gooseberries, summer
Garlic scapes/green garlic, spring
Grapefruit, winter and spring
Grapes, late summer and early fall*
Green almonds, spring
Green beans, summer and early fall*
Green onions, spring through fall*
Horseradish, fall and winter*
Huckleberries, late summer and early fall*
Jerusalem artichokes/sunchokes, fall and winter*
Kale, best in fall and winter*
Kiwis, winter and into spring
Kohlrabi, late fall through spring
Kumquats, late winter and spring
Leeks, fall through spring
Lemongrass, summer and fall*
Lemons, winter and spring
Lettuce, available year-round nationally but best in spring
Limes, late summer and fall*
Mandarins, winter*
Mangos, summer
Marionberries, summer
Melons, summer and early fall*
Mint, year-round*
Morels, spring
Mushrooms (cultivated), year-round*
Mushrooms (wild), spring through fall*
Nectarines, summer
Nettles, spring
New Potatoes, spring
Okra, late summer and early fall*
Onions, spring through fall (stored in winter)*
Oranges (Navel), winter and spring
Oranges (Valencia), spring and summer
Oregano, year-round*
Parsley, year-round*
Parsnips, fall through spring
Peaches, summer
Pears, fall*
Pea greens, spring
Peas and pea pods, spring and early summer
Peppers (sweet), summer and early fall*
Persimmons, fall and early winter*
Plums & pluots, summer
Pomegranates, fall*
Pommelos, winter
Potatoes, late summer through fall but available from storage year-round*
Pumpkins, fall*
Quinces, fall*
Radicchio, late summer through early spring
Radishes, spring through fall*
Radishes (daikon, watermelon, other large varieties), fall and winter*
Rapini, fall through spring
Raspberries, summer
Rhubarb, spring and early summer
Rosemary, year-round*
Rutabagas, fall and winter*
Sage, year-round
Salsify, fall and winter*
Scallions, spring through fall
Shallots, summer and fall (from storage through winter)
Shelling beans, summer and early fall*
Snap peas/snow peas/pea pods, spring
Sorrel, year-round*
Spinach, year-round*
Spring Onions, spring
Squash (summer), summer
Squash (winter), fall and winter*
Stinging Nettles, spring
Strawberries, spring and summer
Sunchokes/Jerusalem artichokes, fall and winter*
Sweet Onions, spring and summer
Sweet potatoes, fall and winter*
Tangerines, winter*
Thyme, year-round*
Tomatillos, late summer
Tomatoes, summer
Turnips, fall through spring
Watercress, year-round*
Watermelons, summer
Winter Squash, fall and winter*
Zucchini, summer
Zucchini Blossoms, summer
The five products that I like that is not in this list are
taro roots, baby bok choy(chinese cabbage), bananas, papayas and Jicama (Mexican turnips or singkamas in Tagalog).
Reference: http://localfoods.about.com/od/searchbyregion/a/CAFruitsVeggies.htm
