ontario produce: what’s in season this spring/summer
My love for holistic health took off when I was working up north in Georgian Bay as a nanny. The family I worked for had a huge garden, and it brought me so much joy picking and cooking the seasonal produce and coming up with recipes to feed the kids. These days, I’m lucky enough to have a big garden in my backyard, and I find leaning into what's available seasonally such an easy way to plan nutritious and delicious meals throughout the spring/summer. Keep reading for a guide to what’s in season in Ontario this summer!
THE BENEFITS OF EATING SEASONAL/LOCAL FOODS:
When I was studying to become a holistic nutritionist, one of the first things we learned was the acronym NAG: natural, alive, and good quality. Alive, refers to food that is fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced. Since produce gradually loses its nutritional content after 24 hours, locally sourced, seasonal produce is higher in vitamins and minerals. Plus, locally sourced food is better for the environment, helps to support the local economy, and is way more flavourful.
Whether you have a garden, are heading to the farmers market, or simply shopping at your local grocery store, here's a month-to-month guide for which Ontario produce is in season this spring/summer:
April:
Cabbage
Carrots
Mushrooms
Onions
Parsnips
Potatoes
Sprouts
Sweet potatoes
May:
Rhubarb
Asparagus
Carrots
Mushrooms
Onions
Potatoes
Radishes
Rutabaga
Snow peas
Spinach
Sprouts
June:
Asparagus
Beans (green/yellow)
Bok choy
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cucumber (field)
Radishes
Kale
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Peas
Peppers
Radicchio
Radishes
Snow peas
Sprouts
Summer squash
Rhubarb
Strawberries
July:
Beans
Beets
Bok choy
Broccoli
Cabbage
Corn
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cucumber
Radishes
Garlic
Kale
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Napa cabbage
Onions
Peas
Peppers
Radicchio
Rapini
Rutabaga
Spinach
Sprouts
Summer squash
Sweet potatoes
Tomatoes
Zucchini
Apricots
Blueberries
Cherries
Currants
Peaches
Plums
Raspberries
Strawberries
Watermelon
August:
Artichoke
Leeks
Beans
Beets
Bokchoy
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Corn
Cucumber
Radish
Garlic
Kale
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Nappa cabbage
Onions
Parsnips
Peas
Peppers
Potatoes
Radicchio
Radishes
Rapini
Rutabaga
Spinach
Sprouts
Winter squash
Summer squash
Sweet potatoes
Tomatoes
Zucchini
Apricots
Blueberries
Cherries
Cranberries
Currants
Gooseberries
Grapes
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Raspberries
Strawberries
Watermelon
Take a screenshot to bring to the grocery store to plan meals. Click here for some recipe inspo (more seasonal ideas to come!)
