Seasonality Chart
Eating fruits, nuts and vegetables in season is an amazing experience! It’s also relatively easy given North Carolina’s fertile lands, long growing season and growing interest in local foods.
Peanuts and the official State Vegetable – the sweet potato – are available year round because they are well-suited for safe storage. The apple season (mid-August through mid-February) offers plenty of time to savor these crunchy delights, while the strawberry season -- nothing could be finer – is typically 4-6 weeks (mid-to-late April through late May to early June).
As North Carolina’s local food economy grows, so too does the availability of local meats, dairy and eggs. Visit Our Partners page to find a farmer near you.
Did you know fish and shellfish are also seasonal? Clams can be enjoyed year round. Summer and autumn are ideal for shrimp while soft-blue crabs are typically enjoyed in the spring and summer. North Carolina Sea Grant has a terrific on-line seasonal guide.
Below is a sampling of local foods available in the coming months. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services also has a useful on-line “What’s in Season” chart.
Enjoy!
| FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL | MAY |
|---|---|---|---|
FRUITS Apples NUTS Peanuts VEGETABLES Bok Choy Carrots Celery Root Rutabaga Spinach Sweet Potatoes SEAFOOD Black Sea Bass Bluefin Tuna Bluefish Clam Croaker Flounder Grey Sea Trout (Weakfish) King Mackerel Oyster Spotted Sea Trout Striped Bass | NUTS Peanuts VEGETABLES Bok Choy Carrots Celery Root Leafy Greens Rutabaga Spinach Sweet Potatoes SEAFOOD Blue Crab (Soft) Bluefish Clam Grey Sea Trout (Weakfish) Grouper King Mackerel Kingfish Mahi-Mahi (Dolphinfish) Oyster Snapper Tilefish Yellowfin Tuna | FRUITS Strawberries NUTS Peanuts VEGETABLES Arugula Asparagus Beets Bok Choy Broccoli Celery Root Green Onions Greenhouse Tomatoes Kale Leafy Greens Mustard Greens Radish Spinach Spring Onions Sweet Potatoes Turnips SEAFOOD Blue Crab (Soft) Bluefish Clam Grey Sea Trout (Weakfish) Grouper King Mackerel Kingfish Mahi-Mahi (Dolphinfish) Oyster Snapper Tilefish Yellowfin Tuna | FRUITS Blueberries Strawberries NUTS Peanuts VEGETABLES Arugula Asparagus Beets Bok Choy Broccoli Cabbage Celery Root Green Onions Greenhouse Tomatoes Hot Peppers Kale Leafy Greens Mustard Greens Radish Snow Peas Spinach Spring Onions Squash Sweet Potatoes Swiss Chard Turnips Zucchini SEAFOOD Blue Crab (Soft) Bluefish Clam Grey Sea Trout (Weakfish) Grouper King Mackerel Kingfish Mahi-Mahi (Dolphinfish) Oyster Snapper Tilefish Yellowfin Tuna |
Learn about North Carolina's Fruit & Vegetable Availability and North Carolina's Seafood Availability.
Make the Choice. Make a Difference. Make it Local.
