What's In Season?

I have mentioned this before but I think something fun

to do while you are vacationing on Eastern Long Island is stopping by a

local farm stand to try some fresh fruits and vegetables. One problem I have noticed

about some local stands in the area however is that they

are not always truthful about where their products come from. Some farm stands will

try and pass fruits and vegetables from other places off as their own.

And while it is hard to always tell what was grown on the Island and what was not,

a good way to start figuring it out is by knowing what is in season

in the area when.

 

I worked at a farm stand in high school and have a pretty good idea of what is in season

when on Eastern Long Island and so I am going to share that with you

in hoping that it will help you be sure to only buy the freshest veggies on your trip!

 

May

Asparagus is really the only item that is in season for all of May.

Spinach comes late in May and depending on the weather radishes may be ready by

the end of May also. Strawberry season usually begins around Memorial Day Weekend

as long as the weather cooperates. To go along with the strawberries, rhubarb is
among the May vegetables too.

 

June

With June comes a lot of local vegetables and fruits on Eastern Long Island. If
strawberries are not ready for the end of May they certainly
will be ready come June. Beets, carrots,

lettuce, arugula and other leafy greens in the same category

are ready in June. Onions, potatoes, zucchini and cucumbers also come later
in the month along with peas and beans.
 If the weather is right, raspberries also may ready in June.

 

July

Local corn is a big one in July. Local corn is usually ready for July 4th or the following
week depending on the weather. Following corn in July are peppers, eggplant

and usually field tomatoes late in the month. Farms may have tomatoes grown in
greenhouses earlier in the summer but the best tomatoes from the
field come in July before peaking in August.

 

August

Watermelon is the big thing in August since by then most things have already
been around for awhile.

 

September

Even though September brings the end of summer it does not mean the end

of fresh vegetables on Eastern Long Island. Broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts and other

vegetables that thrive in cold weather come in the fall. The fall also marks pumpkin
season for farms which means that the farms that have pick your own

are full of visitors picking pumpkins. Local apples also are available in the fall.

 

 

As was already noted a few times, it is important to remember that everything depends
on  the weather. This year the weather has been funky
so everything is already a little behind. Another year the weather
 may be perfect so everything comes early. Keep

in mind this post is just a general guideline for when local produce is in.

 

So now that you know when is the best time to buy what at farm stands on
Eastern Long  Island be sure to include stopping at one for some
of the best produce out there!