Which fruits and veggies are in season during North Texas spring? Where to buy local
Wildflowers aren’t the only things growing in spring — this time of year is peak produce season.
The warm weather brings out optimal conditions for fruits and veggies. Especially after daylight savings starts, the longer days with more sunlight feed more energy for the produce to grow and ripen, which makes the food more nutrient-dense. You can buy fruits and veggies year-round, but for maximum freshness and nutritional value, it’s best to buy when the produce is in-season..
The Star-Telegram spoke with the Wise County office of Texas A&M AgriLife to find out some produce tips for spring. Here’s what to know.
Which produce is in season this spring?
You can check what produce is in season year-round on the seasonal food guide.
Fruits:
Blackberry
Blueberry
Brambles
Cantaloupe
Citrus
Grapefruit
Lemon
Loquat
Mandarin
Melon
Nectarine
Orange
Peach
Pepper
Pomelo
Strawberry
Summer squash
Tangerine
Tomato
Watermelon
Winter squash
Zucchini
Vegetables:
Asparagus
Arugula
Beet
Black-eyed pea
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Celery Root
Chard
Collard Greens
Cucumber
Fava beans
Green beans
Horseradish
Jicama
Kale
Kohlrabi
Lamb’s Quarters
Lima beans
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Mustard Greens
Onion
Pea Shoots
Peas
Potato
Purslane
Shallot
Shell beans
Sorrel
Spinach
Sprouts
Sweet Potato
Turnips
Watercress
Herbs:
Chives
Cilantro
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Tarragon
Thyme
Where are good places to buy local produce in North Texas?
Marty Morgan, the Texas A&M Wise County agricultural agent, suggests shopping at local farmers markets for the best produce. There are plenty in town, but some may require a road trip out to the country.
Specifically, Morgan suggests the Demases Farms, located on 96 County Road 4756 in Boyd. This farmers market offers lots of fruits and vegetables from the beginning of spring through summer. The last of the fruit to harvest is the melons in late July. And soon, they will have a 30-acre strawberry field where guests can pick their own berries.
How to store produce so it stays fresh longer
Each kind of produce has different storage needs due to their nature, Morgan said.
A few good rules of thumb:
Minimize wilting by providing ventilation to your produce storage (bags with holes, containers with vents).
Potatoes and onions (yellow, white, even green) could tolerate less humid environments so they can be stored in a cool, dry place.
Wash greens and lettuce and store in the fridge.
Jalapenos and peppers can start to be stored at 45 to 50 degrees (in a cool, dry place).
Do not store cucumbers or squash in cold temperatures for more than two to three days.
Unripe tomatoes can be stored at room temperature. Ripe tomatoes should go in the refrigerator.
Turnips should stay cold and humid.