What's in season in Connecticut? It depends on the month: asparagus and strawberries kick off the year in spring, sweet corn, peaches and tomatoes take over in summer, and apples, pumpkins and winter squash carry us through fall. One of the best parts of shopping local is watching those seasons change right in our produce aisle.
This guide walks through each season, then gives you a full Connecticut seasonal produce calendar so you always know when to catch your favorites at their peak, plus tips for picking the best of the bunch.
What's in Season in Connecticut, Season by Season
Here's the short version. Tap any item to jump to more detail below.
Spring (Apr to Jun):
- Asparagus
- Strawberries
- Rhubarb
- Lettuce & spinach
Summer (Jul to Aug):
- Sweet corn
- Cherries
- Peaches & berries
- Watermelon
Fall (Sep to Nov):
- Apples
- Pumpkins
- Winter squash
- Cranberries
Winter (Dec to Mar):
- Storage apples
- Potatoes & onions
- Root vegetables
- Greenhouse greens
Spring in Connecticut: Strawberries Take Center Stage
As the weather warms up, the first local crops arrive, and strawberry season is one of our favorite times of year in the produce department.
Asparagus
One of the first true signs of spring. Look for firm, straight spears with tight, closed tips. Roast them with olive oil and salt, or toss them into a spring pasta like our spring pea pesto pasta salad.
Strawberries
Sweet, juicy, and best enjoyed as close to picking as possible, local strawberries are a sure sign that summer's on its way. Rhubarb (May to June) and tender spring lettuce and spinach show up around the same time. Try them in our strawberry avocado salsa.
Spring is also when we start seeing more demand for our fresh-cut fruit cups and mixed fruit platters. Our cups are an easy grab-and-go option when you want fresh fruit without the extra prep.
Summer in Connecticut: Cherries, Watermelon and Sweet Corn
Summer is peak season in our produce aisle, and a few favorites always lead the way.
Cherries
Connecticut grows a small crop of sweet and tart cherries in late June and July, and Northwest cherries shipped from the Pacific Northwest arrive in summer too. Either way it's a short season, so when they're in, grab them while you can. If you love cherries, you already know they're the star of our LaBada Bing! ice cream.
Blueberries, Raspberries and Peaches
Midsummer is berry time. Blueberries usually run from early July through August, and raspberries come in two waves, a summer crop and a fall crop that can last until frost. Local peaches follow from late July, peaking in August. Try a summer peach spinach salad or a bourbon peach crisp.
Watermelon
Watermelon becomes a household staple all summer long, whether it's for a backyard barbecue or just a cold, refreshing snack on a hot day. Local melons arrive in August, and we carry watermelon right through the summer.
Sweet Corn and Tomatoes
When local corn season hits, it's one of the moments our customers look forward to most every year. Sweet, fresh, and grown close to home, there's nothing quite like it. Field tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and summer squash hit their stride at the same time. Make elotes (Mexican street corn).
Our fresh-cut fruit cups and cut fruit platters stay in high demand right through the summer months too, perfect for cookouts, pool days, and everything in between.
Fall in Connecticut: Apples, Pumpkins and Pumpkin Fest
As summer winds down, the orchards and pumpkin patches take over.
Apples and Pears
Early apple varieties start in late summer, and the main Connecticut harvest peaks in September and October. Local storage apples then carry through the winter. Not sure which apple to buy? Our complete guide to types of apples sorts them by sweetness and best use. Then bake the best apple crisp.
Pumpkins and Pumpkin Fest
Along with pumpkins comes one of our most anticipated traditions: Pumpkin Fest. Held for one weekend only every October, Pumpkin Fest is a LaBonne's tradition our customers look forward to all year. Here's the catch: we never announce the date until the day before! So if you don't want to miss it, keep an eye on our social media pages as fall approaches. You won't want to find out a day late.
Fall is also the season for winter squash, Brussels sprouts, kale (which gets sweeter after a frost) and cranberries from New England bogs. Roast the seeds from your jack-o'-lantern with our roasted pumpkin seeds recipe.
What's in Season in Connecticut in Winter?
Winter is when Connecticut's storage crops shine. Many local farms harvest in the fall and store their crops so they can sell them through the cold months, and some grow greens in greenhouses and hoop houses to stretch the season. According to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, these are often available into early spring:
Stored from the fall harvest
Storage crops
- Apples
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes
- Onions, garlic and leeks
- Winter squash
- Carrots, parsnips, turnips and rutabaga
- Cabbage
Extended season
Greenhouse and hardy greens
- Lettuce and salad greens
- Spinach and arugula
- Kale and beet greens
- Mushrooms (grown year-round)
Of course, our produce department carries a wide selection of organic and exotic fruits and vegetables all year, so you'll never be short on options. Winter is a great time for a hearty pot of sweet potato chili.
Your Connecticut Seasonal Produce Calendar
Here's a closer look at when your favorites are typically available and at their peak. Keep in mind, actual timing can shift by a week or two depending on the weather each year.
| Item | Typical CT season | Peak window |
|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | April to June | Late April to May |
| Rhubarb | May to June | May |
| Lettuce, spinach & salad greens | April to October (spinach takes a midsummer break) | May to June, again in September |
| Radishes | May to November (spring and fall crops) | May to June |
| Strawberries | Early June to early July | Mid-June |
| Sweet cherries | Late June to mid-July | Early July |
| Summer squash & zucchini | May to October | July to August |
| Blueberries | Late June or early July to August | Late July |
| Raspberries | July to frost (summer and fall crops) | Mid-July and late August |
| Snap beans | July to October | August |
| Sweet corn | Mid-July to frost | August |
| Peaches | Late July to mid-September | August |
| Tomatoes | July to frost | August to September |
| Peppers & eggplant | July to frost | August to September |
| Watermelon | August to early October | August |
| Apples | August to October harvest (early varieties from late July), stored apples through winter | September to October |
| Pears | Late August to October | September |
| Grapes | Late August to September | September |
| Pumpkins | Late August to October | October (don't miss Pumpkin Fest!) |
| Winter squash | Late summer to October harvest, stored through winter | October |
| Sweet potatoes | August to October harvest, stored through winter | October |
| Kale | April to November | October to November |
| Brussels sprouts | October to November | November |
| Cranberries (New England bogs) | Mid-September to early November | October |
| Storage crops (potatoes, onions, cabbage, root veggies) | Year-round, fresh harvest summer to fall | September to November |
Seasons checked against the Connecticut Department of Agriculture's CT Grown crop calendar and UConn Extension's in-season produce calendar. Cranberries aren't a major Connecticut crop; ours come from New England growers, chiefly in Massachusetts. Fresh-cut fruit cups and mixed fruit platters are available in our produce department year-round, with the biggest demand in spring and summer.
How to Pick Seasonal Produce at Its Peak
Corn: check the husk. Look for bright green husks wrapped snugly around the ear and silks that are slightly moist. Cook it the day you buy it for the sweetest flavor.
Tomatoes: skip the fridge. Keep ripe tomatoes on the counter, stem side down. Cold temperatures dull their flavor and turn the texture mealy.
Berries: wash right before eating. Store strawberries and blueberries dry in the fridge and rinse only what you'll eat. Moisture speeds up spoilage.
Peaches: let them ripen. A peach that's still firm will soften on the counter in a day or two. When it smells sweet and gives slightly near the stem, it's ready.
Watermelon: look for the field spot. A creamy yellow patch where the melon rested on the ground and a heavy feel for its size are good signs of ripeness.
Apples: buy firm, store cold. Apples keep much longer in the fridge than in a fruit bowl, so keep a few out for snacking and refrigerate the rest.
Connecticut Seasonal Produce FAQs
What fruits are in season in Connecticut in summer?
Strawberries finish in early July, then blueberries, raspberries, cherries, peaches, plums and watermelon carry through July and August. Grapes and pears start in late August.
When is strawberry season in Connecticut?
Local strawberries usually run from early June to early July, with the peak around mid-June. A cool or warm spring can shift that by a week or two.
When is sweet corn season in Connecticut?
Local sweet corn typically arrives in mid-July and lasts until the first frost, usually in October. August is the peak.
When are Connecticut apples in season?
Early varieties start in late summer, and the main harvest peaks in September and October. Stored local apples are available through the winter.
What produce is in season in Connecticut in winter?
Mostly storage crops harvested in the fall, such as apples, potatoes, onions, winter squash, carrots, cabbage and other root vegetables, plus greenhouse-grown greens and mushrooms.
When is LaBonne's Pumpkin Fest?
Pumpkin Fest is held for one weekend every October, and we announce the date only the day before. Follow our social media pages as fall approaches so you don't miss it.
Shop Local, Shop the Season at LaBonne's
No matter the time of year, our produce team works hard to bring you the freshest local options as they come into season, and every item is hand-inspected before it reaches the sales floor. From spring asparagus to fall pumpkins, there's always something worth stopping in for. Planning a party? See our tips for a great party platter, or browse more seasonal recipes.
LaBonne's has been helping Connecticut families shop smarter since 1962. Check the weekly sale flyer for produce deals, find your nearest store, or order online for pickup or delivery. And keep an eye on our blog and social media throughout the year for updates on what's fresh, what's in season, and, of course, when Pumpkin Fest is happening.