Frutino.

Seasonal Guides

The Seasonal Fruit Calendar: What to Eat Each Month

A month-by-month guide to fruit at its peak in the Northern Hemisphere, with tips for buying in season.

By Claire Moreau, Registered Dietitian & Senior Food Researcher · Updated August 28, 2026 · 9 min read · Fact-checked

The Seasonal Fruit Calendar: What to Eat Each Month

Fruit picked and sold in season usually tastes better and often costs less. This calendar covers typical Northern Hemisphere temperate seasons — local timing varies with climate, so use it as a starting point and ask your growers.

Winter (December–February)

Winter is citrus season. Look for oranges, mandarins, clementines, grapefruit and lemons at their juiciest. Stored apples and pears remain good value, and pomegranates carry on into early winter.

Spring (March–May)

Rhubarb — technically a vegetable but cooked like fruit — arrives first. Late spring brings the first strawberries in warmer regions, while imported citrus begins to fade.

Summer (June–August)

The busiest season of the year. Expect:

  • Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and cherries in early summer
  • Apricots, peaches, nectarines and plums in midsummer
  • Melons, watermelon and figs toward late summer
  • Blackberries in hedgerows and markets from August

Autumn (September–November)

Apple and pear harvests peak, alongside grapes, late plums, quince and the first persimmons. Autumn is ideal for stocking up on fruit that stores well.

How to shop seasonally

Farmers' markets and produce boxes make seasonality obvious. In supermarkets, check the country of origin labels: when local fruit appears and prices drop, that is usually peak season.

Frequently asked questions

Is seasonal fruit more nutritious?

Fruit harvested ripe and eaten soon after may retain more of certain vitamins, but frozen fruit is also a strong option out of season.

Does this calendar apply in the Southern Hemisphere?

Seasons are roughly reversed, so shift the months by about six.

This article is for general information only and isn't a substitute for professional medical advice. See our disclaimer.

Keep reading