There’s nothing more deceiving than buying vibrant foods only to unleash a bitter taste onto your taste buds after you’ve taken a bite. Shop smarter and not harder by knowing when it’s prime time to pick the perfect veggies, and find fresh ingredients at a local farmers market. Vegetables actually cost less when they’re in season! Use this guide to find out when is the best time to buy!
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter | ||
| ALFALFA SPOUTS | X | Look for crispy and bright sprouts, with buds intact. | |||
| ARTICHOKE | X | Look for ones with a dusty green color. Avoid those with purple and profound blemishes. | |||
| ASPARAGUS | X | X | X | Look for a bright, rich green color all around with closed, compact tips. | |
| BEET | X | X | Look for one that is firm and round, with a rich color and slender root. Avoid wilted tops. | ||
| BROCCOLI | X | X | Look for compact buds with crisp, green leaves. | ||
| BRUSSELS SPROUTS | X | X | Look for one that is bright green, compact and free of blemishes. | ||
| CABBAGE | X | X | Look for firm leaves without browning or markings. Darker leaves mean more flavor. | ||
| CARROT | X | Look for ones that are plump, smooth and without cracks. Buy with stems attached so they keep their moisture. | |||
| CAULIFLOWER | X | X | Look for flowers that are clean and creamy white, with thick green leaves. Avoid spotted and separated flowers. | ||
| CELERY | X | X | Look for ones that are light green, compact and glossy. | ||
| CORN | X | X | X | Press against husk to feel individual kernels. Make sure there aren’t holes where kernels should be. Silk should be stiff and moist. | |
| GARLIC | X | X | X | Look for large, firm and silky skins. | |
| GREEN BEAN | X | X | Look for slender beans that are crisp, bright-colored, and unblemished. | ||
| KALE | X | X | X | Look for leaves that are moist, crisp, unwilted and unblemished. | |
| LETTUCE | X | X | Avoid wilted, discolored leaves. | ||
| LEEKS | X | Look for ones that are white and light green. Stalks should be crisp and firm. Avoid mostly dark green or yellowed tops. | |||
| MUSHROOM | X | X | X | X | Look for clean, firm texture. They are delicate and highly perishable, so eat soon after purchase. Avoid dark browning or watery spots. |
| OKRA | X | Look for ones that are bright green. Firm, but tender. | |||
| ONION | X | X | X | Look for ones that feel heavy for their size with dry, papery skins, without signs of spotting or moistness. Shouldn’t have any smell. | |
| PEAS | X | X | Look for firm, velvety pods that are medium green. Gently shake the pod. Avoid if there’s a rattling sound, as it’s likely they’re uneven in size. | ||
| POTATO | X | Look for ones that are smooth and unbruised. | |||
| RADISH | X | X | Look for bright, perky greens. The leaves are the tell-tale of the root. | ||
| ROMANESCO | X | X | Look for ones that are dense and uniform in color. | ||
| RUTABAGA | X | Look for ones that are unbruised and unblemished, with purpleish skin. | |||
| SPINACH | X | Look for leaves that are bright and vivid green. Avoid wilted or liquidy leaves. | |||
| SWEET POTATO | X | X | Look for firm with smooth, bright, uniformly light tan skins. | ||
| TURNIPS | X | X | X | Look for ones that are firm, without any blemishes. Feels heavy for its size. If the greens are attached, they should be brightly colored and fresh |
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