Seasonal Guide to Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
JANUARY - MID SUMMER - FRUIT
apricot, banana, berries - blackberry - blueberry - boysenberry - gooseberry - loganberry - mulberry - raspberry - strawberry, cherry - morello (sour), currants - red currant - black currant, lemons, lychee, mango, mangosteen, melons - honeydew - rockmelon - watermelon, nectarine, passionfruit, peach, pineapple - smooth leaf, plum, prickly pear, rambutan, starfruit, tamarillo.
JANUARY - MID SUMMER - VEGETABLES
asparagus, avocado - reed, beans - butter - green - snake, capsicum, celery, choko, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, okra, onions - salad - spring, peas - green - snow - sugar snap, radish, squash, sweetcorn, tomato, zucchini, zucchini flowers.
FEBRUARY - LATE SUMMER - FRUIT
apple - aba, banana, berries - blackberry - blueberry - boysenberry - loganberry - raspberry - strawberry, fig, grapes - cardinal - muscat - sultana - waltham cross, guava, kiwifruit, lemon, lychee, mango, mangosteen, melons - honeydew - rockmelon - watermelon, nectarine, orange - valencia, passionfruit, peach, pears - howell - red sensation - williams, plums, prickly pear, rambutan, rhubarb, starfruit, tamarillo.
FEBRUARY - LATE SUMMER - VEGETABLES
avocado - reed, beans - borlotti - butter - green - snake, capsicum, celery, chilli, choko, cucumber, daikon, eggplant, leek, lettuce, okra, onions - brown - salad - spring, peas - green - snow - sugar snap, radish, squash, sweetcorn, tomato, zucchini, zucchini flowers.
MARCH - EARLY AUTUMN - FRUIT
apples - aba, cox's orange pippins - gala - jonagold - jonathan - mutso, banana, berries - raspberry - strawberry, breadfruit, feijoa, figs, grapes - cardinal - currant - muscat - purple cornichon - sultana - waltham cross, guava, kiwifruit, lemon, limes, mango, mangosteen, melons - honeydew - rockmelon, nashi, nectarine, nuts - almond - chestnut - hazelnut - pistachio - walnut, orange - valencia, papaya, passionfruit, peach, pears - beurre bosc - howell - josephine - packham - red sensation - williams, persimmon, plums, pomegranate, rambutan, rhubarb, tamarillo.
MARCH - EARLY AUTUMN - VEGETABLES
asian greens - bok choy - choy sum - gai laan - wonga bok, avocados - fuerte - shepard, beans - borlotti - butter - green - snake, capsicum, celery, chilli, cucumber, daikon, eggplant, leek, lettuce, okra, olive, onions - brown - red - spring, peas, potato, pumpkin, shallot, silverbeet, spinach, squash, sweetcorn, sweet potato, tomato, zucchini.
APRIL - MID AUTUMN - FRUIT
apples aba, bonza - braeburn - cox's orange pippins - fuji - gala - golden delicious - granny smith - jonagold - jonathan - mutso - red delicious - snow, banana, cumquat, custard apple, feijoa, figs, grapes - muscat - purple cornichon - sultana - waltham cross, guava, kiwifruit, lemons. limes, mandarin - imperial, nashi, nuts - almond - chestnut - hazelnut - peanut - pistachio - walnut, orange - valencia, papaya, passionfruit, pears - beurre bosc - howell - josephine - packham - red sensation - williams, persimmon, plums, pomegranate, quince, rhubarb.
APRIL - MID AUTUMN - VEGETABLES
asian greens - bok choy - choy sum - gai laan - wonga bok, avocado - fuerte, beans - green - snake, beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprout, cabbage, capsicum, carrots, celery, chilli, cucumber, daikon, eggplant, fennel, garlic, ginger, leek, lettuce, mushrooms - wild - field - pine - slippery jacks, okra, olives, onions - brown - spring, parsnip, peas, potato, pumpkin, shallot, silverbeet, spinach, squash, sweet potato, swede, tomato, turnip, zucchini.
MAY - LATE AUTUMN - FRUIT
apples - bonza - braeburn - cox's orange pippins - fuji - gala - golden delicious - granny smith - jonagold - jonathan - mutso - pink lady - red delicious - snow - sundowner, banana, cumquat, custard apple, feijoa, grapes - purple cornichon - waltham cross, kiwifruit, lemons, limes, mandarin - imperial, melon - champagne, nuts - chestnut - hazelnut - peanut - walnut, pears - howell - josephine - packham - red sensation - williams, persimmon, quince, rhubarb.
MAY - LATE AUTUMN - VEGETABLES
asian greens - bok choy, - choy sum - gai laan - wonga bok, avocados - fuerte - sharwill, beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprout, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, daikon, eggplant, fennel, garlic, ginger, horseradish, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms - wild - field - pine - slippery jacks, okra, olives, onions - brown - spring, parsnip, peas, potato, pumpkin, shallots, silverbeet, spinach, squash, swede, sweet potato, taro, tomato, turnip, witlof, zucchini.
JUNE - EARLY WINTER - FRUIT
apples - bonza - braeburn - cox's orange pippins - fuji - gala - golden delicious - granny smith - jonagold - jonathan - lady williams - mutso - pink lady - red delicious - snow - sundowner, custard apple, grapefruit, kiwifruit, lemons, limes, mandarin - ellendale, melons -champagne, nashi, nuts - chestnut - hazelnut - walnut, oranges - navel, pears - beurre bosc - josephine - packham, persimmon, pomelo, quince, rhubarb.
JUNE - EARLY WINTER - VEGETABLES
asian greens - bok choy - choy sum - gai laan - wonga bok, avocados - fuerte - sharwill, beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprout, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, fennel, garlic, ginger, horseradish, jerusalem artichokes, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, okra, olives, onions, parsnip, peas, potato, pumpkin, shallot, silverbeet, spinach, swede, sweet potato, turnip, witlof.
JULY - MID WINTER - FRUIT
apples -bonza - braeburn - fuji - golden delicious - lady williams - pink lady - red delicious - snow - sundowner, cumquat, custard apple, grapefruit, lemons, limes, mandarin - ellendale - imperial, melons - champagne, nashi, oranges - navel, papaya, pineapple, pomelo, rhubarb, tangelo.
JULY - MID WINTER- VEGETABLES
asian greens - bok choy -choy sum - gai laan - wonga bok, avocados - fuerte - hass - sharwill, beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprout, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, fennel, garlic, ginger, horseradish, jerusalem artichoke, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, okra, olives, onions, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, shallot, silverbeet, spinach, swede, sweet potato, turnip, witlof.
AUGUST - LATE WINTER - FRUIT
apples - fuji - lady williams - sundowner, cumquat, custard apple, grapefruit - yellow - pink, lemons, limes, mandarins - ellendale - imperial - murcot, nashi, oranges - blood - navel, pawpaw, pineapple - smooth leaf, pomelo, rhubarb, tangelo.
AUGUST - LATE WINTER - VEGETABLES
asian greens - bok choy - choy sum - gai laan - wonga bok, avocados - fuerte - hass - sharwill, beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprout, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, fennel, garlic, ginger, horseradish, jerusalem artichoke, kohlrabi, leeks, okra, olives, onions, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, shallot, silverbeet, spinach, swede, sweet potato, turnip, witlof.
SEPTEMBER - EARLY SPRING - FRUIT
apple - lady williams, cumquat, grapefruit, lemon, mandarins -ellendale - murcot, oranges - blood - seville, papaya, pawpaw, pineapple - smooth leaf, tangelo.
SEPTEMBER - EARLY SPRING - VEGETABLES
artichoke, asian greens - bok choy - choy sum - gai laan - wonga bok, asparagus - green - purple, avocados - fuerte - hass - sharwill, beans - broad - green, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower garlic, ginger, leek, lettuce, mushrooms - morel, onions - salad - spring, peas, potato, pumpkin, silverbeet, spinach.
OCTOBER - MID SPRING - FRUIT
berries - strawberry, cumquat, grapefruit - pink - yellow, lemon, loquat, mango, orange - valencia, papaya, pawpaw, Pineapples - smooth - rough leaf, starfruit.
OCTOBER - MID SPRING - VEGETABLES
artichoke, asian greens - bok choy - choy sum - gai laan - wonga bok, asparagus -green - white - purple, avocados - fuerte - hass - sharwill, beans - broad - green, broccoli, choko, cucumber, garlic, lettuce, onions - salad - spring, peas, silverbeet, spinach, watercress.
NOVEMBER - LATE SPRING - FRUIT
banana, berries - strawberry, cherry, grapefruit, loquat, lychee, mango, melons - honeydew - rockmelon - watermelon, orange - valencia, papaya, pawpaw, pineapples - smooth - rough leaf, starfruit.
NOVEMBER - LATE SPRING - VEGETABLES
artichoke, asparagus, avocado - hass, beans, choko, cucumber, lettuce, onions - salad - spring, peas - green - snow - sugar snap, spinach, sweetcorn, tomato, watercress, zucchini flowers.
DECEMBER - EARLY SUMMER - FRUIT
apricot, banana, berries - gooseberry - loganberry - raspberry - strawberry, cherry, currants - black currant - red currant, lemon, lychee, mango, melon - honeydew - rockmelon - watermelon, orange - valencia, passionfruit, pineapples - smooth - rough leaf, rambutan, starfruit.
DECEMBER - EARLY SUMMER - VEGETABLES
asparagus, avocado - hass, beans - green - snake, capsicum, celery, choko, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, onion - salad - spring, peas - green - snow - sugar snap, radish, squash, sweetcorn, tomato, watercress, zucchini, zucchini flowers.
Keeping Them Fresh
Fresh fruit and vegetables continue to mature after harvest. Correct storage helps to maintain quality, freshness, flavour and nutrient value. Below is a quick guide to the correct storage conditions for fruit and vegetables. These recommendations may vary depending on the climate.
Green leafy vegetables and salad vegetables
Citrus fruits, apples and pears
Berries, stonefruit, melons, grapes, kiwi fruit
Bananas
Mushrooms
Root vegetables - carrots, turnips, beetroot, parsnips
Onions, potatoes and garlic
Seasonality
Please note that not all fruits and vegetables will be available at these times of year or in an organic form. The list reflects when fruit and vegetables are at their peak of flavour, ripeness, quality and value each month but it cannot take into account climatic conditions.
Seasonal Best Buys
Summer
| December Fruit | December Vegetable |
|
Apricots Bananas Berries - blackberries - blueberries - raspberries - red and white currants - strawberries Cherries Grapes Lychees Mangoes Melons - Oranges - Valencia Papaya Passionfruit Pawpaw Peaches Pineapple |
sparagus Beans - Green - Flat - Butter Capsicum Celery Cucumbers Eggplant Lettuce Onions - Salad - Green Peas Radish Sweetcorn Tomatoes Watercress Zucchini |
| January Fruit | January Vegetables |
|
Apricots Avocados Bananas Berries - Blackberries - Blueberries - Raspberries - Red and white currants - Strawberries Cherries Grapes Limes Lychees Mangoes Melons Nectarines Oranges - Valencia Passionfruit Peaches Pears - Williams Pineapple Plums Rambutans |
Asparagus Beans - Green - Flat - Butter Capsicum Celery Cucumbers Eggplant Lettuce Onions - Salad - Green Okra Peas Potatoes Radish Sweetcorn Tomatoes Zucchini |
| February Fruit | February Vegetables |
| Avocados Bananas Berries - Blackberries - Blueberries - Raspberries - Strawberries Figs Grapes Limes Lychees Mangosteens Melons Nectarines Oranges - Valencia Passionfruit Peaches Pears - Howell - Williams Pineapple Plums Prickly Pears Rambutans |
Beans - Green - Flat - Butter Capsicum Celery Chillies Choko Cucumbers Eggplant Lettuce Onions - Salad - Green Okra Peas Radish Sweetcorn Tomatoes Zucchini Autumn |
| March Fruit | March Vegetables |
|
Apples Bananas Figs Fuji Fruit Grapes Guava Kiwifruit Limes Mangosteens Nashi Oranges - Valencia Passionfruit Pawpaw Pears Pomegranates Quinces Tamarillo |
Asian Greens Beans Broccoli Capsicums Cucumbers Eggplant Lettuce Okra Onions Potatoes Pumpkin Sweetcorn Tomatoes Zucchini |
| April Fruit | April Vegetables |
|
Apples Avocados Bananas Custard Apples Fuji Fruit Grapes Guava Kiwifruit Limes Mandarins - Imperial Nashi Passionfruit Pears Persimmons Pomegranates Quinces Tamarillo |
Asian Greens Beans Broccoli Brussels sprouts Cabbages Capsicums Chokos Fennel Leeks Mushrooms Okra Onions Peas Potatoes Pumpkins Silverbeet Spinach Sweetcorn Turnips |
| May Fruit | May Vegetables |
|
Apples Avocados Custard Apples Kiwifruit Lemons Mandarins - Imperial Nashi Oranges - Navel Pears Persimmons Pomegranates Quinces Rhubarb |
Asian Greens Broccoli Brussels sprouts Cabbages Carrots Cauliflower Celery Celeriac Chestnuts Fennel Leeks Mushrooms Okra Onions Parsnips Silverbeet Spinach Sweet potato Turnips |
Winter
| June Fruit | June Vegetables |
|
Apples Avocados Custard Apples Grapefruit Kiwifruit Lemons Limes Mandarins Nashi Oranges - Navel Passionfruit - Panama Pears Pomelo Quince Rhubarb |
Beetroot Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Celeriac Celery Fennel Jerusalem Artichokes Kohlrabi Leeks Olives Onions Parsnips Potatoes Pumpkin Silverbeet Spinach Swede Sweet potato Turnips |
| July Fruit | July Vegetables |
|
Apples Avocados Custard Apples Grapefruit Kiwifruit Lemons Limes Mandarins Nashi Oranges - Navel Pomelo Quince Rhubarb Tangelo |
Beetroot Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Celeriac Celery Fennel Jerusalem Artichokes Kohlrabi Leeks Okra Olives Onions Parsnips Potatoes Pumpkin Silverbeet Spinach Swede Sweet potato Turnips Witlof |
| August Fruit | August Vegetables |
| Apples Cumquat Grapefruit Kiwifruit Lemons Mandarins Nashi Oranges - Navel - Blood Pomelo Rhubarb Strawberries Tangelo |
Beetroot Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Celeriac Celery Fennel Jerusalem Artichokes Kohlrabi Leeks Okra Onions Parsnips Potatoes Pumpkin Silverbeet Spinach Swede Sweet potato Turnips Witlof |
Spring
| September Fruit | September Vegetables |
|
Apples - Lady Williams Berries - Strawberries Grapefruit Lemons Mandarins Honey murcot Melons Oranges - Blood - Seville Papaya Pawpaw Pineapple Pomelo Tangelos |
Artichokes Asian Greens Asparagus Beans - Broad - Green Beetroot Broccoli Carrots Cauliflower Chillies Garlic - Fresh Lettuce Mushrooms Onions - Spring - Green Peas Potatoes Silverbeet Spinach |
| October Fruit | October Vegetables |
| Avocado Bananas Berries - Blueberries - Strawberries - Youngberries Carambola (starfruit) Grapefruit Loquats Mangoes Melons Oranges - Valencia Papaya Passionfruit Pawpaw Pineapple Pomelo |
Artichokes Asian Greens Asparagus Beans - Broad - Green Beetroot Cucumber Chillies Garlic - Fresh Lettuce Mushrooms Onions - Spring - Green Peas Potatoes Silverbeet Spinach Watercress Zucchini |
| November Fruit | November Vegetables |
|
Advocado Bananas Berries - Blueberries - Raspberries - Strawberries Cherries Grapefruit Loquats Mangoes Melons Oranges - Valencia Papaya Passionfruit Pawpaw Pineapple |
Artichokes Asian Greens Asparagus Beans - Green Cucumber Chillies Lettuce Onions - Spring - Green Peas Potatoes Silverbeet Spinach Sweetcorn Tomatoes Watercress Zucchini Zucchini flower |