Summer is a great time to enjoy fresh, seasonal vegetables and fruits. Eating seasonally is for your body, pocket book, and the earth as well!

Summer Season Fruits & Vegetables Eating Guide

Eating seasonally is a great way to be more self-sufficient. During summer, fresh produce at its peak in terms of flavor and nutrition is readily available – in your garden, from CSAs, or from friends or farmer’s markets! If you’re wondering what fruits and vegetables are in season now, in summer, this guide will help!

Learn which fruits and vegetables are in season, maximize your summer garden with helpful tips, get seasonal eating tips on a budget, and find lots of delicious recipes full of summer vegetables and fruits! 

Take advantage of the many benefits of seasonal eating with this guide.

• Autumn on a Budget: 11 Ways to Save Money with Fall Seasonal Eating
• 5 Ways it’s Possible to Continue Seasonal Eating in Winter
• 13 Spring Season Fruits and Vegetables for Your Seasonal Eating Journey

What’s in Season During Summer

Summertime offers an abundance of fresh summer fruits and vegetables. Here are just a few of the delicious fruits and vegetables in season during the warm summer months.

Summer Season Fruits 

There are so many delicious summer season fruits to fill up your bellies. Some of my favorite summer fruits include: apricots, berries, cherries, melons, peaches, and plums. There’s really nothing better than heading outside and picking juicy fruit directly off the vine or tree!

Apricots

A juicy, sweet fruit that is in season during the summer, apricots are rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber. Use them for snacks, in salads, or in baked goods. You can even dehydrate them or make fruit leather.

Berries

A wide variety of delicious berries are in season during the summer and there are so many great reasons to eat berries. Here are just a few of the delicious berries in season in summer:

• blueberries – sweet and versatile, perfect for snacks, desserts, or adding to breakfast foods like oatmeal or pancakes
• raspberries – slightly tart and perfect for eating fresh, in jams or pies, or as a topping for yogurt or ice cream
• strawberries – sweet and perfect for eating fresh, in jams or pies, use as a cake or muffins topper, or as a topping for yogurt or ice cream
• blackberries –  perfect for eating fresh, in jams or pies, or as a topping for yogurt or ice cream

Berries are packed with antioxidants and make a great addition to smoothies, yogurt, cereal, and desserts. You can also bake with them – cobbler and muffins are a couple of favorites.

Cherries

Cherries are one of my favorite stone fruits and they are available in such a variety: sour cherries, sweet cherries. They can be both tart and sweet and they’re perfect for snacking on or using in recipes. 

They’re at their juiciest and sweetest during the summer. Rich in antioxidants, good for heart health, full of vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber, cherries make a healthy and delicious addition to your summer diet.

Melons

Juicy melons, such as watermelon and cantaloupe, are a refreshing treat on hot summer days. They make a great addition to fruit salads and are also delicious on their own.

Peaches

Sweet peaches are delicious when grilled or baked in pies and cobblers. They’re also a great addition to salads and smoothies. They’re popular with home canners since they make a lovely jam or preserves.

Plums

A sweet and tart fruit that is perfect for snacking or using in recipes. Plums are in season during the summer and make a great addition to pies, cobblers, and other baked goods. You can also add them to salads or enjoy them on their own.

Plums are another juicy stone fruit that I am excited to grow in my orchard!

Vegetables in Season in Summer

Corn

Sweet, fresh corn is a summer favorite. Eat it as a side dish, in salads, or on its own. You can also use it to make cornbread or add it to soups and stews.

Cucumbers

Crisp and refreshing cucumbers are perfect for summer meals. Add them to salads or use them as a healthy and hydrating snack. You can even pickle them or make cucumber water.

Eggplant

A nutrient-rich vegetable that is in season during the summer. Eggplant can be grilled, baked, or roasted. It’s also a key ingredient in many traditional dishes, such as ratatouille and baba ghanoush.

Peppers

A variety of flavorful peppers, including green bell peppers and spicy chiles, are in season during the summer.  Peppers can be used in a wide variety of dishes, from salads to main courses.

Tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes make a delicious addition to salads, sandwiches, and other summer dishes.  They can also be used to make homemade tomato sauce or salsa. You can even try drying tomatoes to make your own sun-dried tomato pesto.

Yellow Squash

Yellow squash is a tender squash. It’s a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups to main courses.

Zucchini

Zucchini is a highly versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of recipes. Roasted or in sauces, it’s right at home in savory dishes. It can also be baked into breads and muffins or used to make healthy zucchini chips.

These are just a few of the many seasonal fruits and vegetables that you can enjoy during the summer months.

Getting the Most Out of Your Summer Garden

If you’re growing your own summer fruits and vegetables, there are many foods, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your summer garden:

1. Plant a variety of fruits and vegetables to enjoy all summer long.

2. Water your plants regularly, but be careful not to overwater them.

3. Keep an eye on pests and diseases, and take action if necessary.

4. Make use of natural pest control methods whenever possible.

Related Post: Most Effective Organic Pest Control Methods

5. Harvest your crops regularly to enjoy them at their peak of freshness.

With a little planning and effort, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest from your own garden all summer long.

Eating Seasonally on a Budget

Trying to save money on groceries? Seasonal eating can help. Fruits and vegetables that are in season are generally more affordable than those that are out of season. By planning your meals around seasonal produce, you can save money and eat healthy, delicious food at the same time.

Here are a few tips for eating seasonally on a budget:

1. Shop at farmers markets and roadside stands for the best deals on seasonal produce.

2. Join a CSA or community garden to get fresh, seasonal produce at a discount.

3. Plant your own garden to enjoy the freshest produce possible.

4. Preserve seasonal fruits and vegetables to enjoy them all year long.

5. Use recipes that make use of seasonal ingredients to stretch your budget.

There are many ways to eat seasonally on a budget.

Summer Seasonal Recipes

There are so many delicious meals that you can make with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

• Mediterranean Tomato Salad
• Gurken Salat (German Potato Salad)
• Quick & Easy Greek Style Cucumber Salad
• 15 Grilled Fruit & Vegetable Recipes
• BKT Salad ~ Bacon, Kale, & Tomato
• Easy, Homemade Roasted Tomato Sauce
• Guide to Canning Crushed Tomatoes Quickly
• Thick & Rich Homemade Pizza Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes
• Kid-Approved Italian Stuffed Peppers
• Fried Summer Squash Puffs
• 15 Minute Zucchini & Beef Skillet Dinner
• 12 Savory Zucchini Recipes You Don’t Want to Miss
• Chocolate Chip Zucchini Banana Bread
• Italian Zucchini Pie
• Zucchini Chocolate Cake

Tips for Summer Seasonal Eating

To make the most of seasonal eating, keep the following tips in mind:

• Eat a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables to enjoy the widest range of nutrients.
• Take advantage of in-season produce at farmers markets and roadside stands for the best deals.
• Join a CSA or community garden to get fresh, seasonal produce at a discount.
• Preserve seasonal fruits and vegetables to enjoy them all year long

Eating seasonally is a great way to improve your health, save money, and live more sustainably. This guide has taught you how to eat seasonally during the summer months. Be sure to take advantage of all the delicious seasonal fruits and vegetables that are available this time of year!