Eating in Season: an Easy How-to Guide for the UK
A fresh tomato in summer, a crispy apple in autumn – these are life’s simple pleasures. Enjoying them is just one of the many benefits of eating in season.
Not everyone has the option to enjoy fresh and tasty food right from the garden. But you can increase the chances of enjoying a more delicious and healthier meal if you prioritise eating food that’s grown locally and picked during its natural harvest.
In this post, I’ll cover what eating in season means, why you might want to consider it, and what is in season throughout the year here in the UK.
P.S. don’t read this post on an empty stomach!
Important: always consult your and your family’s GP before making any significant dietary changes.
What does eating in season mean?
Eating in season means choosing foods that have been picked and prepared at the time they are naturally ready for harvest in your country (in this case, the UK). That means strawberries in summer, apples in autumn, spinach in spring – and everything in between.
It’s usually not possible to make complete meals from fruits and vegetables that are in season. However, you can still eat seasonably if you prioritise different foods during their natural peak.
Check out my post How to be a Flexitarian Family
What are the benefits of eating in season?
Food is a wonderful thing. Fresh food is even better!
Eating in season not only means enjoying the very best that nature has to offer. It also means eating in a cost-effective, tasty way that’s healthier for you and the planet. Here are some of the many benefits to eating in season.
Save a bit of money
If you’re looking to cut down the cost of your fruits and vegetables, eating in season can certainly help. You won’t pay more for shipping from far-off countries and you’ll benefit from seasonal deals. There’s also the option of pick-your-own when food is in season, something that’s both fun and frugal!
An added bonus? You’ll be supporting local producers and helping the community.
Enjoy tastier food
Eating in season often means enjoying fresher food that has been through less processing, preserving, and transportation. All of this means the natural deliciousness on offer is kept just for you and your family!
Just think of that gorgeous first strawberry of the summer – it’s worth the wait all year. Now imagine that flavour in all your fruits and veg. Perfection.
It also has the added bonus of challenging you to cook a little outside your comfort zone and try new things. Not sure what to do with Jerusalem artichokes? Well when November rolls around, you’ll find yourself trying new and exciting recipes to make the most of this fresh and tasty vegetable. You never know, it might be your new favourite!
On the path to healthier living
Simply put, eating food that’s in season can pack the most powerful nutritional punch. The journey from farm to plate can have a real impact on nutritional value, especially for things like vitamin C. The fresher the food, the more vitamins and nutrients are retained.
You’re also more likely to consume more varied food by eating in season. This helps you get all the nutritional goodness that you need, as you’ll have a more balanced diet.
Top tip: too many greens in the garden for you to get through? Freezing fresh fruit and veg retains vitamins and minerals, too. Stock your freezer full of freshly harvested produce and you’ll be able to enjoy for longer.
Support sustainability
Finally, eating in season can be more sustainable. Reports suggest that ‘eating seasonal food…reduces GHGE because it does not require the high-energy input from artificial heating or lighting needed to produce crops out of the natural growing season’. As fruits and vegetables are growing according to their natural cycle, they require less artificial support to develop and ripen.
Eating in season also means your food can be grown closer to you. This helps reduce the carbon footprint of your food, as the journey to your fridge is much shorter.
What’s in season when?
Eating in season is easier than you think. While you may think there aren’t many things ready for eating in the depths of winter, nature’s bounty is a wonderful thing and full throughout the year.
Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the fruits and vegetables that are in season in the UK throughout the year.
Remember: this is for the UK – it might be different where you live!
January and February
Fruit | Veg |
Apples Pears | Beetroot Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Carrots Celeriac Kale Leeks Mushrooms Onions Parsnips Spring Greens |
Top tip: Check out this delicious breakfast recipe from BBC Good Food to make the most of mushrooms and kale!
March and April
Fruit | Veg |
Rhubarb | Artichoke Beetroot Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower New potatoes (April) Sorrel Spring Greens Watercress |
Top tip: enjoy new potatoes and spring greens in this stir-fry recipe from Waitrose.
May and June
Fruit | Veg |
Apricots Blackcurrants (June) Cherries (June) Elderflower Gooseberries (June) Raspberries (June) Rhubarb Strawberries | Asparagus Aubergine Chicory Chillies Lettuce New potatoes Peas Radishes Spinach (May) Summer squash (June) Watercress |
Top tip: summer calls for dessert! Try this galette from GoodTaste to enjoy the flavours of the season.
July and August
Fruit | Veg |
Blackberries Blackcurrants Cherries Gooseberries (July) Loganberries Peaches Plums (August) Raspberries Redcurrants Strawberries Tomatoes | Aubergine Broad beans Broccoli Carrots Courgettes Fennel Garlic Leeks (August) Peas Potatoes Pumpkin (August) Sweetcorn (August) Watercress |
Top tip: this pavlova recipe by Cooking Light has been a staple in my family for years and is perfect for summer!
September and October
Fruit | Veg |
Apples (October) Blackberries Damsons (September) Elderberries (October) Pears Plums (September) Raspberries (September) Tomatoes | Aubergine Broccoli Brussels sprouts Butternut Squash Celery Cucumber Chicory Peas Potatoes Pumpkin Radishes Rocket Summer squash Swiss chard Wild mushrooms |
Top tip: Little Green Spoon has a delicious recipe for pumpkin and butternut squash soup!
November and December
Fruit | Veg |
Apples Cranberries (December) Elderberries (November) Pears | Brussels sprouts Chestnuts Jerusalem artichokes Kale Leeks Onions Parsnips Pumpkin Swede Swiss chard Turnips |
Top tip: Brussels sprouts get a bad rap, but this recipe from Jessica in the Kitchen shows them in all their glory!
What next?
Enjoy a healthy, delicious, and varied diet!
Eating in season might not always be possible, but making better choices throughout the year and prioritising food that’s in season can help in lots of ways.
Just keep in mind your five-a-day and remember –