seasonal

May

• ArtichokesPeak Season
  Nearly all of America's commercial artichokes are grown in California, with Castroville dubbed the 'Artichoke Capital of the World'. The cool, foggy climate of the central coast is ideal for artichoke production.
• AsparagusPeak Season
  California's San Joaquin Delta region, with its rich peat soil, produces some of the finest asparagus. The state is the largest producer of fresh market asparagus in the United States.
• AvocadosPeak Season
  Thriving in coastal regions, particularly San Diego, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties. The Hass variety dominates California production. Available year-round, with peak season from March through September.
• BlueberriesPeak Season
  Production has increased significantly in recent years in the Central Valley and coastal regions. Known for large size and sweet flavor, California's early-season blueberries are available April through July, peaking May through June.
• CarrotsPeak Season
  The Imperial Valley and Kern County are California's carrot powerhouses. The state produces over 85% of all carrots grown in the United States, thanks to its ideal growing conditions.
• CherriesPeak Season
  Primarily grown in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Kern counties, California is known for sweet varieties, particularly Bing cherries. The short but highly anticipated season runs April through June.
• GrapefruitPeak Season
  Primarily grown in California's Desert Region, including Coachella and Imperial Valleys. Known for juicy texture and balanced sweet-tart flavor. Available year-round, with peak flavor January through June.
• LettucePeak Season
  The Salinas Valley, 'America's Salad Bowl', produces the majority of California's lettuce. The state grows over 70% of the nation's lettuce, with dozens of varieties cultivated year-round.
• PeasPeak Season
  While not a major commercial crop, peas are grown in many California home gardens and small farms. The cool coastal areas and foothill regions provide ideal conditions for spring and fall pea crops.
• RadishesPeak Season
  Radishes are grown throughout California, with the Imperial Valley and central coast being major production areas. The state's varied climate allows for year-round cultivation of many radish varieties.
• SpinachPeak Season
  California's Salinas Valley is a major spinach-growing region. The state produces over 70% of the nation's spinach, with year-round production possible due to the mild coastal climate.
• StrawberriesPeak Season
  California produces 86% of U.S. fresh strawberries, primarily in Monterey, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Cruz counties. Available March through November, peaking April through June.
• Apricots
  California produces about 95% of U.S. apricots, mainly in the San Joaquin Valley, with Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Merced counties being top producers. Available May through August, with peak flavor in June and July.
• Beets
  California's diverse climate allows for year-round beet production. The Imperial Valley and central coast regions are major growing areas, with organic beet production on the rise.
• Blackberries
  Grown in the Central Coast and Central Valley regions, California blackberries are known for their juicy, sweet-tart flavor. Popular in jams and pies, they're available May through July, with peak flavor in June and July.
• Broccoli
  California produces over 90% of the broccoli grown in the United States. The Salinas Valley, known as the 'Salad Bowl of the World', is a major broccoli-growing region.
• Cabbage
  California's central coast, particularly Monterey County, is a major cabbage-producing area. The state's mild climate allows for year-round cultivation of various cabbage varieties.
• Cauliflower
  California's central coast, particularly Santa Barbara and Monterey counties, produces the majority of U.S. cauliflower. The cool coastal climate is perfect for growing this cruciferous vegetable.
• Celery
  Oxnard and the Salinas Valley are major celery-growing regions in California. The state produces about 80% of the nation's celery, thriving in the coastal Mediterranean climate.
• Cucumbers
  San Joaquin Valley is a major cucumber-growing region in California. The state's warm, sunny climate is ideal for both field and greenhouse cucumber production.
• Figs
  California produces 100% of U.S. dried figs and 98% of fresh figs, primarily in the Central and San Joaquin Valleys. Popular varieties include Black Mission and Brown Turkey figs. Available May through November, peaking August through October.
• Garlic
  Gilroy, the 'Garlic Capital of the World', leads California's garlic production. The state produces over 90% of the commercial garlic grown in the United States.
• Grapes
  California produces 99% of U.S. table grapes, primarily in the San Joaquin and Coachella Valleys. Available May through December, with peak flavor August through October. The state grows diverse varieties of red, green, and black grapes.
• Kale
  Kale thrives in California's coastal regions, with Monterey County being a major producer. The state's cool winters allow for sweeter kale, as cold temperatures convert the plant's starches to sugars.
• Kiwi
  California is the only U.S. state with commercial kiwifruit production, primarily in the Central Valley's Tulare, Kings, and Kern counties. Available October through May, peaking November through April.
• Lemons
  Major production in coastal regions from Santa Barbara to Riverside counties. The marine-influenced climate produces bright, juicy lemons available year-round, with peak flavor November through April.
• Mandarins
  Primarily grown in California's Central Valley, producing over half the state's tangerines. Known for easy-peel skin and sweet, juicy segments. Available November through May, peaking December through February.
• Mushrooms
  California is the nation's leading mushroom producer, with major operations in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. The state's climate-controlled growing facilities allow for year-round production of various mushroom types.
• Nectarines
  Part of California's significant stone fruit production, primarily grown in Fresno, Tulare, and Kings counties. Available in white and yellow-fleshed varieties May through September, peaking July through August.
• Onions
  California's Imperial Valley and Central Valley are major onion-growing regions. The state produces a wide variety of onions, including sweet onions, thanks to its diverse microclimates.
• Oranges
  Major production in the Central Valley Region, producing most of the state's navel oranges. Valencia oranges grow in both Central Valley and coastal regions. Season runs November through June, peaking January through March.
• Peaches
  A major crop in California's Central Valley, particularly Fresno, Tulare, and Kings counties. Both yellow and white varieties are grown, known for juicy texture and sweet flavor. Available May through October, peaking July through August.
• Peppers
  California's Central Valley, especially Fresno County, is famous for its pepper production. The state grows a wide variety of peppers, from sweet bell peppers to spicy chili peppers, thriving in the hot, sunny climate.
• Plums
  Major production in California's Central Valley, growing both European and Japanese varieties. Known for juicy texture and flavors ranging from sweet to tart. Available May through October, peaking June through September.
• Potatoes
  While not as well-known as Idaho, California produces a significant amount of potatoes. The state's diverse growing regions allow for year-round production, with Kern County being a major producer.
• Raspberries
  Grown in coastal areas and the Central Valley, California raspberries are known for their delicate texture and sweet-tart flavor. Available May through November, with peak flavor from June through August.
• Summer Squash
  California's Central Valley, including Fresno and Tulare counties, is known for its summer squash production. The state's warm, sunny summers are ideal for growing various squash varieties, including zucchini and yellow crookneck.
• Sweet Potatoes
  Merced County in the San Joaquin Valley is California's sweet potato capital. The state is the second-largest producer of sweet potatoes in the U.S., with its warm climate and sandy loam soil providing ideal growing conditions.
• Tomatoes
  California produces over 95% of the U.S. processing tomatoes and a significant portion of fresh market tomatoes. The Central Valley, particularly Yolo and San Joaquin counties, are major tomato-growing regions.
• Zucchini
  Zucchini thrives in California's Central Valley, with Fresno County being a top producer. The state's long, warm growing season allows for prolific zucchini production, often leading to an abundance of this summer squash.