Buying seasonal food makes sense for a lot of reasons. Eating with the natural seasonal cycle means your food requires less resources to grow and often doesn’t need to be transported as far. That means it’s often cheaper, too.
Eating with the seasons makes eating well easy, because foods that come into season at the same time have a natural synergy in terms of cooking styles and taste – like a garlic and basil pesto in summer, an apple and rhubarb crumble in autumn, a Jerusalem artichoke and celeriac soup in winter, an asparagus and pea risotto in spring.
Please note that some produce is available year round because it has a long growing season or is cold stored. This list aims to give you an idea of when produce is at its peak of taste and value.
Select a month from the list below to find out what vegetables, Fruits, berries and nuts and herbs are in season, or use the search box in the top right sidebar.
Some notes and further links on information sources.
January
Vegetables
beans, green (aka french beans, aka string beans)
cabbage, green
cabbage, red
capsicum
cucumbers
eggplant
leeks
lettuces
mushrooms, cultivated, shiitake
onions, salad
peas
peas (sugar snap)
potatoes
pumpkin
silverbeet
snowpeas
spinach
squash
tomatoes
turnips
witlof
zucchini
Herbs, spices and aromatics
basil
chervil
chillies
coriander
curly parsley
dill
flat leaf parsley
garlic, Italian Purple
ginger
majoram
mint
oregano
rocket
sage
spring onions (aka green onions, aka shallots – not eschallots)
tarragon
thyme
watercress
Fruits, berries and nuts
blackberries
blueberries
boysenberries
honeydew melon
loganberries
nectarines
oranges (Valencia)
raspberries
red, white & black currants
rhubarb
rockmelon
strawberries
watermelon
February
Vegetables
beans, borlotti (fresh in pods)
beans, butter (aka yellow beans, aka wax beans)
beans, green (aka french beans, aka string beans)
beetroot
cabbage, red
cabbage, green
capsicum
cucmbers
eggplant
leeks
lettuces
mushrooms, cultivated, shiitake
onions
peas
peas (sugar snap)
potatoes
pumpkin
silverbeet
snowpeas
spinach
squash
tomatoes
turnips
witlof
zucchini
Herbs, spices and aromatics
basil
chervil
chillies
coriander
curly parsley
dill
flat leaf parsley
garlic, Italian Purple
ginger
majoram
mint
oregano
rocket
sage
spring onions (aka green onions, aka shallots – not eschallots)
tarragon
thyme
watercress
Fruits, berries and nuts
achacha
almonds
apples, gravenstein
blackberries
blueberries
boysenberries
grapes, cardinal
honeydew melon
loganberries
nectarines
oranges (Valencia)
pears, Buerre Bosc
pears, William
pistachios
raspberries
rockmelon
rhubarb
strawberries
watermelon
March
Vegetables
Asian greens
beans, butter (aka yellow beans, aka wax beans)
beetroot
broccoli
cabbage, green
cabbage, red
capsicum
carrots
corn
cucumber
eggplant
leeks
lettuce
mushrooms, cultivated, shiitake
mushrooms, pine (aka saffron milkcap)
mushrooms, slippery jack
okra
onions
peas
potatoes
pumpkin
silverbeet
spinach
squash
swedes (aka rutabaga)
tomatoes
turnip
witlof
zucchini
Herbs, spices and aromatics
basil
chervil
chillies
coriander
curly parsley
dill
flat leaf parsley
garlic, Italian Purple
ginger
majoram
mint
oregano
rocket
sage
spring onions (aka green onions, aka shallots – not eschallots)
tarragon
thyme
watercress
Fruits, berries and nuts
almonds
chestnuts
fingerlimes
figs
grapes, cardinal
grapes, muscatel
grapes, sultana
hazelnuts
lemons
mandarins, imperial
papaya
passionfruit
pears, Buerre Bosc
pears, Packenham
pears, red sensation
pears, William
persimmon
pomegranate
plums
quinces
raspberries
rhubarb
strawberries
tamarillos
walnuts
April
Vegetables
beetroot
cabbage, green
cabbage, red
capsicum
carrots
cauliflower
corn
cucumber
eggplant
leeks
mushrooms, cultivated, shiitake
mushrooms, field
mushrooms, pine (aka saffron milkcap)
mushrooms, slippery jack
onions
peas
pumpkin
silverbeet
spinach
turnip
witlof
zucchini
Herbs, spices and aromatics
basil
chervil
chillies
coriander
curly parsley
dill
flat leaf parsley
garlic, Italian Purple
ginger
majoram
mint
oregano
rocket
sage
spring onions (aka green onions, aka shallots – not eschallots)
tarragon
thyme
watercress
Fruits, berries and nuts
almonds
apples, golden delicious
apples, jonathan
apples, red delicious
chestnuts
custard apples
fingerlimes
figs
fuji
grapes, muscatel
grapes, sultana
guava
hazelnuts
kiwifruit
lemons
limes
pears, Packenham
pears, William
persimmon
pomegranate
quince
rhubarb
tamarillo
walnuts
May
Vegetables
Asian greens
beetroots
broccoli
Brussels sprouts
cabbage, green
cabbage, red
carrots
cauliflower
celeriac
chestnuts
corn
fennel
leeks
mushrooms, cultivated
mushrooms, field
mushrooms, pine (aka saffron milkcap)
mushrooms, slippery jack
mushrooms, shiitake
okra
onions
parsnips
pumpkin
silverbeet
spinach
sweet potatoes
swedes
turnip
witlof
zucchini
Herbs, spices and aromatics
basil
chervil
chillies
coriander
curly parsley
dill
flat leaf parsley
garlic, Italian Purple
ginger
majoram
mint
oregano
rocket
sage
spring onions (aka green onions, aka shallots – not eschallots)
tarragon
thyme
watercress
Fruits, berries and nuts
almonds
apples, golden delicious
apples, Granny Smith
apples, jonathan
apples, red delicious
avocados
chestnuts
fejoias
hazelnuts
kiwifruit
mandarins (Imperial)
nashi
oranges (Navel)
pears, Packenham
persimmon
quince
rhubarb
tamarillo
walnuts
June
Vegetables
Asian greens
avocados
beetroot
broccoli
Brussels sprouts
cabbage, green
cabbage, red
carrots
cauliflower
celeriac
celery
fennel
Jerusalem artichokes
kale
kohlrabi
leeks
mushrooms, cultivated
mushrooms, shiitake
mushrooms, slippery jack
onions, brown
onion, pickling
parsnips
potatoes
pumpkins
shallots
silverbeet
spinach
swedes
sweet potatoes
turnips
truffle (local Canberra black truffle)
wombok (aka Chinese cabbage, aka celery cabbage)
Herbs, spices and aromatics
garlic (from last November!)
ginger
horseradish
spring onions (aka green onions, aka shallots – not eschallots)
turmeric
Fruits, berries and nuts
apples, golden delicious
apples, Granny Smith
apples, jonathan
cumquats
custard apples
fejoias
kiwifruit
lemons
limes
mandarins
melons
nashi
nuts
olives
oranges
oranges (Navel)
pears
persimmons
quince
rhubarb
tamarillo
July
Vegetables
artichoke
Asian greens
avocados
beetroot
broccoli
Brussels sprouts
cabbage, green
cabbage, red
carrots
cauliflower
celeriac
celery
eschallots (red shallots)
fennel
Jerusalem artichokes
kale
kohlrabi
leeks
mushrooms, cultivated, shiitake
okra
olives
onions, brown
onion, pickling
parsnips
potatoes
pumpkins
shallots
silverbeet
spinach
swedes
sweet potatoes
truffle (local Canberra black truffle)
turnips
wombok (aka Chinese cabbage, aka celery cabbage)
witlof (aka Belgian endive)
Herbs, spices and aromatics
ginger
horseradish
nuts
spring onions (aka green onions, aka shallots – not eschallots)
turmeric
Fruits, berries and nuts
apples (Granny Smith)
cumquats
custard apples
grapefruit
lemons
limes
mandarins
melons
oranges (blood)
oranges (Navel)
papaya
pears
persimmons
pineapple
pomelos
quince
rhubarb
tangelos
August
Vegetables
beetroots
Brussels sprouts
broccoli
cabbage, green
cabbage, red
carrots
cauliflower
celeriac
Jerusalem artichokes
kohlrabi
leeks
mushrooms, cultivated, shiitake
okra
onions
parsnips
potatoes
pumpkin
silverbeet
spinach
swede
sweet potatoes
witlof
wombok (aka Chinese cabbage, aka celery cabbage)
Herbs, spices and aromatics
ginger
horseradish
nuts
spring onions (aka green onions, aka shallots – not eschallots)
turmeric
Fruits, berries and nuts
grapefruit
lemons
mandarins
oranges (blood)
oranges (Navel)
oranges (Seville)
September
Vegetables
artichokes, Globe
Asian greens
asparagus
beetroot
bitter melon
broad beans
broccolini
cauliflower
kohlrabi
lettuce
mushrooms, cultivated, shiitake
peas
potatoes (chat, new)
silverbeet
spinach
swedes
wombok (aka Chinese cabbage, aka celery cabbage)
Herbs, spices and aromatics
chillies
coriander
curly parsley
flat leaf parsley
ginger
horseradish
mint
oregano
rocket
spring onions (aka green onions, aka shallots – not eschallots)
turmeric
thyme
Fruits, berries and nuts
apples (Lady Williams)
bananas
cumquats
grapefruit
lemons
mandarins (Honey Murcott)
melons
nashis
oranges, Seville and Blood oranges
papaya
pineapple
pomelo
tangelos
October
Vegetables
artichokes (Globe)
Asian greens
asparagus
avocadoes
beetroot
broad beans
cauliflower
lettuces
mushrooms, cultivated, shiitake
onions
peas
potatoes (chat, new)
silverbeet
spinach
watercress
witlof
wombok (aka Chinese cabbage, aka celery cabbage)
zucchini
Herbs, spices and aromatics
chillies
coriander
curly parsley
flat leaf parsley
ginger
mint
oregano
rocket
spring onions (aka green onions, aka shallots – not eschallots)
thyme
Fruits, berries and nuts
apples – fujis, sundowners, pink lady, lady williams, golden delicious, red delicious and granny smiths are all in season
bananas
cumquats
grapefruits
kiwi fruit
oranges (Valencia), and nearing the end of the blood oranges
mandarins
papaya
passionfruit
pomelos
tangellos
strawberries
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November
Vegetables
asparagus
avocados, Reed and Hass varieties
artichokes
asian greens (bok choy, kang kung, etc)
asparagus
beetroot
broad beans (peak of season)
broccoli
collard greens
corn
cucumbers
green beans
kale
lettuces
mushrooms, cultivated, shiitake
okra
onions, red/Spanish (first of the season)
peas, sugar snap
potatoes
pumpkin (Jap variety)
silverbeet
spinach
witlof
zucchini
zucchini flowers
Herbs, spices and aromatics
basil
chillies
coriander
curly parsley
dill
flat leaf parsley
garlic, Italian Purple
ginger
mint
oregano
rocket
spring onions (aka green onions, aka shallots – not eschallots)
thyme
watercress
Fruits, berries and nuts
apples – Pink Lady, Fuji, Granny Smith, Sundowner
apricots (just starting)
bananas
blueberries
blood oranges (end of season)
cherries
grapefruit
kiwifruit
loquats
mango (beginning of season)
mangosteen
mulberries
oranges (Valencia)
papaya
passionfruit (panama variety)
pineapples
raspberries
rhubarb
strawberries
watermelon
December
Vegetables
asian greens (bok choy, etc)
asparagus
beans (green, flat and butter)
cabbage, green
capsicum
celery
cucumbers
eggplant
lettuce
mushrooms, cultivated, shiitake
onions
peas
peas (sugar snap)
potatoes
radish
Silverbeet
Spinach
snowpeas
sweetcorn
tomatoes (at last!)
watercress
witlof
zucchini
Herbs, spices and aromatics
basil
chervil
chillies
coriander
curly parsley
dill
flat leaf parsley
garlic, Italian Purple
ginger
majoram
mint
oregano
rocket
sage
spring onions (aka green onions, aka shallots – not eschallots)
tarragon
thyme
watercress
Fruits, berries and nuts
apricots
cherries
gooseberries
grapefruits
loquats
mangoes
melons
oranges (Valencia)
papaya
passionfruit
pineapple
plums
raspberries
red, white & black currants
strawberries
Sources
This list has been put together with reference to a number of sources, including:
* Australian nutritionist and author Kathryn Elliott’s blog Limes & Lycopene
* Lists of seasonal food published on the web by Gourmet Traveller, SBS Food, Sydney Markets and Harris Farm Markets
* the Canberra Organic Growers’ Society site and local food blog Tina’s Veggie Garden
* Zoe’s extensive food reference library and looking around the shop!
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What about the herb savory? Is there anywhere in the Sydney metropolitan area, where I can buy this herb?
Would appreciate the help.
Sincerely,
Hannie.
Hi Hannie, we are in Canberra. You can buy seedlings of both winter savoury and summer savoury at larger nurseries. I suggest you check out Alfalfa House in Enmore or Newtown’s Pharmacy in York Street in the city if you are looking for the dried herb for culinary or herbal uses.