In Season: Winter Produce (2024)

Fresh From December Through March

Winter can feel like a dead patch when it comes to picking in-season produce. But when your healthy diet is already up against comfort food and rich holiday meals, choosing fresh fruits and vegetables is as important as ever. From December through March, turn your attention to citrus fruits, which contain vitamin D that can help compensate for the lack of sun exposure. Also look to vegetables like parsnips, which require frost to develop their sweet, nutty flavor.

Looking for Local

Outdoor Chicago farmers’ markets close at the end of October, but luckily many relocate to an indoor location when the temperature drops. Check with your local market to find out whether they have a winter location, or look online to find an all-seasons option. And even if winter means a more traditional store for your groceries, knowing what produce is in season can help inform healthy and fresh shopping from any vendor.

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) also remains an option for produce from local farms as long as the crops last. Reach out to a local CSA farm to see what produce they provide through the season. However, because most CSA programs are subscription- or membership-based, your best option may be signing up for next year’s produce.

Whether at the grocery or through a farm, the following are healthy picks in the winter months.

Fruits

  • Lemons
  • Oranges
  • Grapefruits
  • Pomegranates
  • Blood Oranges
  • Clementines
  • Kumquats
  • Cranberries

Vegetables

  • Beets
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Turnips
  • Leeks
  • Parsnips
  • Squash
  • Kale
  • Fennel
In Season: Winter Produce (2024)

FAQs

Which vegetables are good in winter? ›

Here are some of the more well-known vegetables that grow throughout the colder months of the year:
  • Broccoli.
  • Kale.
  • Brussel sprouts.
  • Cauliflower.
  • Endive.
  • Cabbage.
  • Beets.
  • Celeriac.
Jan 2, 2024

What vegetables are in season by month? ›

What Fruits & Vegetables are in Season Right Now?
  • January. Apples. Beets. Cabbage. Dried beans. Herbs. Onions. Parsnips. ...
  • April. Apples. Carrots. Dry beans. Herbs. Onions. Parsnips. Potatoes. ...
  • July. Apples. Beet greens. Beets. Blueberries. Broccoli. Cabbage. Carrots. ...
  • October. Apples. Beets. Broccoli. Brussels sprouts. Cabbage. Carrots. Cauliflower.

How do I buy local produce in winter? ›

Shop Local

Even if there isn't a winter farmers' market in your area, you can often still find local produce at the grocery store. Check labels for source location and for signage featuring local farms and growers. Opt for in-season produce, which is typically abundant and more cost-effective.

Which fruit is in the winter season? ›

1. What are winter fruits to eat? Some of the Winter fruits to eat this season are pears, apples, gauvas, oranges, pomegranate, chiku, blackberries, cranberries, strawberries, papaya, kiwi, figs, dates, lemons and more for their high nutritional value and various health benefits.

What are two foods for winter season? ›

The most warming vegetables that are good for your body are root vegetables like carrot, potato, onions, garlic, radish, yams, sweet potatoes, beets, turnips, etc, and hearty winter greens like palak, methi, sarson, muli, pudina, etc.

What is a common winter vegetable? ›

What to grow for winter. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, kale, leeks and parsnips are hardy vegetables and will stand through the winter. Leafy crops such as chard, parsley and rocket should also over-winter with a little protection.

What is a good winter vegetable garden? ›

I recommend planting one bed in root crops (carrots, beets, and onions), another in cole crops (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and bok choy), and another in salad greens (lettuces, mesclun, spinach, and chard). I plant winter crops closer together to prevent erosion from hard winter rains.

What month to plant winter vegetables? ›

However, July and August are the best time to get a start on fall and winter food gardening. In Southern California, some of the best months to grow veggies are in the fall and winter, when we have natural rainfall.

What vegetables grow in the colder months? ›

According to Myers, the hardiest vegetables that can withstand heavy frost of air temperatures below 28 include spinach, onions, garlic, leeks, rhubarb, rutabaga, broccoli, kohlrabi, kale, cabbage, collards, Brussels sprouts, corn salad, arugula, fava beans, radish, mustard greens, Austrian winter pea and turnip.

What vegetables produce all season? ›

Other than leafy lettuces, amaranth, arugula, basil, beet greens, bok choy, chicory, cilantro, kale, mache, mustard greens, parsley, sorrel, spinach, Swiss chard, and turnip greens are all continuous harvest vegetables.

Are vegetables cheaper when in season? ›

Typically, produce sold in season is more cost-effective because it is the freshest and is not being grown against the elements. Conditions such as climate, soil quality, and sunlight all determine the rate plants will grow and their yield.

What produce is best in winter? ›

Winter fruit and vegetable varieties include apples, pears, citrus fruits, kiwi, grapes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and potatoes. These produce items are grown during the colder months of fall and winter.

What fruit is in season in December? ›

Kiwi, orange, persimmon, lemon, mandarin, clementine, apple, quince, pear, medlar, grapefruit, nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds).

Should you buy fruit in the winter? ›

In the winter, items like citrus fruits, root vegetables, Brussels sprouts, and winter squashes are rich in flavor and essential nutrients. These fresh options can provide a burst of vitamins and antioxidants to help you stay healthy during the cold season.

What will grow in winter season? ›

Winter is one of the four seasons in the Northern Hemisphere, where it takes place from the beginning of December to the beginning of March. It is the coldest time of year because it is when the Northern Hemisphere points away from the sun.

Are there any foods that grow in winter? ›

Popular winter plants include leafy greens that can survive the harshest conditions—even snow, rain, and ice—or carrots, turnips, onions, and other stew-ready vegetables. If you want to give your winter vegetables some help through the coldest parts of the year, add a protective covering to your garden.

What vegetables are cold weather crops? ›

According to Myers, the hardiest vegetables that can withstand heavy frost of air temperatures below 28 include spinach, onions, garlic, leeks, rhubarb, rutabaga, broccoli, kohlrabi, kale, cabbage, collards, Brussels sprouts, corn salad, arugula, fava beans, radish, mustard greens, Austrian winter pea and turnip.

What is the best produce to plant in the winter? ›

Unless you have a greenhouse, you won't be growing tomatoes, zucchini, squash etc in the winter, but many leafy greens (lettuces, kale, chard etc), root crops like garlic, beets, turnips, rutabagas, and potatoes do very well in the winter with a little planning and care.

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