Your Seasonal Produce Guide for Spring

As the growing season arrives, greenmarkets and farmers markets start to return to local neighborhoods, offering a wonderful variety of spring vegetables and fruits in season. It’s an exciting time for home cooks and everyone who loves great food! From fresh rhubarb for pie to avocados used for homemade guacamole, there’s a wide breadth of seasonal produce available, and knowing what fruit is in season right now can result in delectable baking plans. 

But whether you shop at the local farmers market or at the grocery store, knowing what produce is in season can help you buy the best food for your family. Use this guide to find out what’s in season near you!

And if you have a farm or ranch, reach out to Farm Bureau to learn how we can help you flourish in any season. in any season.

Spring Seasonal Produce in the Midwest

While there isn’t an overabundance of spring fruit available in the Midwest — though technically, peppers are fruits! — you’ll still find plenty of root vegetables in season now. (The last of the cold storage apples are still available, though.)

But this is a great season for tender, delicious spring vegetables. Asparagus, beets, carrots, parsnips, radishes and salad greens are all coming up in the Midwest. Look for vibrant colors in all vegetables or look for salad kits that assemble everything you need for the perfect salad. Later in the season, you can check back for treats like sweet corn and seasonal apples.

Spring Seasonal Produce in the Northwest

Spring in the Northwest is similar to spring in the Midwest when it comes to produce — it’s all about the root vegetables. Look for vibrant colors and vegetable firmness. When you’re in the Northwest, enjoy fennel, radishes, potatoes, lettuce, mushrooms, cabbage and rhubarb — and by May, you’ll probably be able to find strawberries! 

When you’re looking for rhubarb, try to find stalks between 8 and 15 inches long that look firm and colorful. Avoid choosing stalks that have blemishes or split ends. Look for small leaves on the plant, but trim them before using, as the leaves can be toxic.

Spring Seasonal Produce in the Southwest

The Southwest growing season chugs along all year long. Mild winters allow for the harvest of cool weather crops, and hot summers are good for growing citrus fruits, chilies and dates.

In spring, avocados are in abundance. Choose the perfect avocado by giving it a little squeeze. A ripe avocado should yield to firm, gentle pressure, but shouldn’t feel overly soft or mushy. You can also try peeling off the stem cap — if it’s light green underneath, it’s good, but if it’s brown then it’s overripe. Also popular this time of year are apricots, arugula, corn, celery, figs, eggplants, grapefruit, leeks, nectarines and lemons.  

Spring Seasonal Produce in the South

Spring in the South is plentiful and full of traditional southern favorites like collards, okra and sweet potatoes. Deep into the South, the climate can be warm enough that growing seasons almost flip-flop with the rest of the country. That means this time of year is ideal: You can get everything from green beans to herbs to tomatillos and turnips. Enjoy the bounty! 

Spring Seasonal Produce in the Northeast

Spring is a bountiful and beautiful time in the Northeast. You’ll find plenty of spring root veggies in addition to leafy greens. Check out garlic scapes, asparagus, mushrooms, parsnips and peas. This region usually experiences a later harvest, a shorter growing season and a longer harvest of cool-weather crops compared to the rest of the country.

Tips for Buying Seasonal Produce

Shop at Farmers Markets

Take a stroll through your local farmers market and see what’s in season. The selection will evolve throughout the season depending on your region. The farmers and other workers can tell you what’s good, and, in addition to produce, you can probably pick up eggs, cheese, bread, local honey, flowers and more.  Pay attention to seasonal selection and enjoy the best produce your region has to offer.

Widen Your Culinary Horizons

Are you new to cooking with kale? Never tasted mustard greens? Give them a try when they come in season in your area. Eating seasonally can make you a more creative cook by encouraging you to experiment with some of those exotic-sounding and sometimes weird-looking veggies. Not sure where to start? Ask the vendor for their favorite recipe or tip for cooking with the produce. They’re usually eager to share.

Enjoy Non-Local Produce While It’s In Season

Don’t live in subtropical Florida or southern California? You can still have your bananas and mangoes. Just get into the habit of enjoying them when they’re in season in that part of the country. They’ll be better and more affordable.

Supporting Farmers Year-Round

At Farm Bureau Financial Services, we’re proud of our agricultural roots. We serve farmers, ranchers and small-business owners across the country. No matter your insurance needs, we’ll help you build a customizable plan that can help you protect the things that matter most. Reach out to Farm Bureau today.