seasonal
Seasonal fruits & veggies in California
September
All MonthsEarly fall features the last of summer's bounty with peak tomatoes, peppers, and celery. Grapes are in their prime, and apples begin their peak season.
- ApplesPeak SeasonPrimarily grown in California's Central Valley, particularly the San Joaquin Valley. While California ranks 5th in U.S. apple production, the state grows both popular varieties like Red Delicious and Gala, as well as specialty varieties. Available July through November, with peak flavor from August through October.
- AvocadosPeak SeasonThriving 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.
- BeetsPeak SeasonCalifornia'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.
- CabbagePeak SeasonCalifornia'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.
- CantaloupePeak SeasonCalifornia produces 75% of nation's cantaloupes, grown in the Southern Desert Area and along the western San Joaquin Valley from Bakersfield to Sacramento. Available June through October, sweetest from July through September.
- CarrotsPeak SeasonThe 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.
- CeleryPeak SeasonOxnard 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.
- EggplantPeak SeasonCalifornia's Central Valley, particularly Fresno County, is known for its eggplant production. The state grows a variety of eggplant types, including the popular Italian and Japanese varieties.
- FigsPeak SeasonCalifornia 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.
- GrapesPeak SeasonCalifornia 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.
- LettucePeak SeasonThe 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.
- MushroomsPeak SeasonCalifornia 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.
- PearsPeak SeasonPrimarily grown in the Sacramento River Delta region and Sierra Nevada foothills. Known for Bartlett, Bosc, and Comice varieties with smooth texture and sweet, aromatic flavor. Available July through November, peaking August through October.
- PeppersPeak SeasonCalifornia'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.
- PlumsPeak SeasonMajor 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.
- PotatoesPeak SeasonWhile 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.
- RadishesPeak SeasonRadishes 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 SeasonCalifornia'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.
- Sweet PotatoesPeak SeasonMerced 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.
- TomatoesPeak SeasonCalifornia 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.
- WatermelonPeak SeasonGrown in the Central Valley and desert regions, California's hot, dry summers create ideal conditions for sweet, juicy watermelons. Both seeded and seedless varieties are produced. Available June through November, peaking July through September.
- 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.
- 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.
- Half Moon Bay and the Santa Cruz area are prime Brussels sprouts growing regions in California. The cool, foggy climate along the coast provides ideal conditions for these miniature cabbages.
- 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.
- While not California's largest crop, sweet corn is grown throughout the state's Central Valley. Many small farms and farmers' markets offer locally grown, super-sweet varieties during summer months.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- California's Central Valley, including Fresno and San Joaquin counties, is a major green bean growing area. The state's warm summers provide ideal conditions for both bush and pole bean varieties.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Grown throughout the Central Valley and coastal areas, California produces both Fuyu and Hachiya varieties. Known for vibrant orange color and honey-like sweetness when ripe. Available September through December, peaking October through November.
- California produces nearly all U.S. commercial pomegranates, primarily in the San Joaquin Valley's Fresno and Kern counties. Prized for ruby-red arils and antioxidant-rich juice. Available September through December, peaking October through November.
- Half Moon Bay is known as the 'Pumpkin Capital of the World', hosting an annual pumpkin festival. California's San Joaquin Valley also produces a significant amount of pumpkins for both ornamental and culinary use.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.