Do fruits grow in autumn? A common question because many of us love to eat healthy as well as save money by buying seasonal foods that are produced when the weather is the best for delivering the best-tasting products. In this article, I am going to focus on all of the fruits that grow in autumn and what I think about them.
Every season brings about its own wonders. The foods you eat and the fruits you harvest are sure to differ from one period of the year to another. And as we go about our lives enjoying all the fruits of our labor, we are likely to forget that there are some vegetables that grow in autumn.
Autumn is the best time for harvesting fruits. First, we are less distracted by the various responsibilities and other things to do during the school year, and second, there is an abundance of fruits that usually disappear during summertime. It is a perfect opportunity for us to start my new journey of building an online business from home.
Related Post: Food With Fruits
Fruits That Grow In Autumn
Autumn in Australia is one of the best times of the year. The throng of the festive season is still strong in our memories and the stifling heat of summer has passed, leaving us with fresh mornings and cooler evenings. And, along with the change in temperature, comes a change in fresh in-season produce.
Not only is eating locally-sourced seasonal produce a great way to help the environment (Environment Victoria estimates out-of-season produce travels more than 21,000 kilometers before it reaches your kitchen), but it’s often a cheaper option.
So, we’ve partnered with a medical doctor and author of the cookbook, The Doctor’s Diet, Dr. Sandro Demaio to find out what should be on your autumn grocery list, as well as his tips and tricks for cooking delicious autumn produce.
Autumn vegetable shopping list
| Beans | Chilies | Peas |
| Beetroot | Corn | Potatoes |
| Bok choy | Cucumber | Silverbeet |
| Broccoli | Eggplant | Spinach |
| Brussels sprouts | Kale | Spring onion |
| Cabbage | Leeks | Squash |
| Capsicum | Lettuce | Sweet potatoes |
| Carrot | Onions | Tomatoes |
| Cauliflower | Parsley | Zucchini |
| Celery | Parsnips |
Not sure how to use this array of autumn vegies in everyday cooking? Sandro has some suggestions for simple meals that’ll have the whole family eating their greens – even broccoli and cabbage!
“Broccoli and cauliflower have become very popular in recent years, and with good reason – they’re extremely versatile. Broccoli can be roasted with garlic to make a crunchy, delicious side, or lightly steamed and served in a salad with flaked almonds, feta, olive oil and seasoning. Cauliflower can also be roasted with garlic or spices, like cumin, and turned into a soup, or tossed with barley, walnuts and herbs to make a delicious salad.”
“Cabbage is also a favourite of mine, although it commonly has a bad reputation. When done well, it’s a very cheap and tasty way to get your daily greens. I like to slice it into wedges and pan-fry it with butter and oil, which brings out its sweetness while keeping its shape.”
Related Post: Calcium Rich Foods And Fruits
Autumn fruit shopping list
| Apples | Melons |
| Figs | Oranges |
| Grapefruit | Pears |
| Grapes | Pomegranates |
| Mandarins | Rhubarb |
| Strawberries |
Autumn fruit can be eaten straight from the grocers; fresh apples and strawberries are a great option to snack on in between meals. Alternatively, Sandro explains that you can use autumn fruit as an unexpected, but delicious addition to salads.
“Autumn salads can also be taken up a notch with seasonal pomegranates and figs. Mix green leaves, such as rocket, spinach, or kale, with pomegranate or sliced figs; add some goat’s cheese and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and you have yourself an elegant, yet simple, autumn salad.”
Autumn: Seasonal fruits and vegetables
Eating seasonally involves choosing fruits and vegetables that are at their peak in terms of flavor or harvest at a particular time of year. Fresh, local fruits and vegetables are a much healthier option, buying in season reduces damage to the environment, helps to support local farmers and producers, and is more economical.
Autumn runs from March to May. Stewed autumn fruit and vegetables like apples and rhubarb are great healthy snacks either on their own or with some yogurt or ice cream as a dessert. Asian greens in season at this time of year are a great variation of your usual serving of side vegetables.
Related Post: Best Fruits For Weight Loss
Autumn fruits include:
| Figs | Apples | Grapes |
| Bananas | Limes | Quince |
| Custard apples | Guavas | Oranges |
| Rhubarb | Lemons | Pomegranate |
| Kiwi fruits | Passionfruit | Pears |
| Plums |
Best Fall Fruits and Vegetables
If you’re like most people, you love fruits and vegetables. The problem with fruits and vegetables is that sometimes people have a hard time knowing which fruits and vegetables are in season. I’m here to help. Below you will find a list of some of the best fall fruits and vegetables that you can make your tastebuds happy with.
In season vegetables include:
| Beans | Cabbage | Asian greens (for example buk choy, Chinese cabbage and pak choy) |
| Brussels sprouts | Cauliflower | Leek |
| Lettuce | Potatoes | Avocados |
| Broccoli | Capsicum | Mushrooms |
| Fennel | Eggplant | Onions |
| Carrots | Sweet corn | Zucchini |
| Tomatoes | Parsnip | Turnip |
| Spinach | Sweet potato | Cucumber |
| Pumpkin |
Best Fall Fruits and Vegetables
When summer ends, it’s time for fall fruit to shine! The autumn season has many delicious seasonal fruits and veggies, and they’re all at their tastiest right now. Whether you prefer to hit up the locally grown section of your local supermarket, support local farms with a CSA, or hit the nearest farmers’ market for a weekly stock-up, these are the best fall fruits and vegetables to buy, along with a few smart (and savory) ways to use ’em!
Apples
Sweet or tart, apples are at their crunchy best in fall! With hundreds of varieties (and many regional favorites) it’s worth your while to search beyond the galas and granny smiths to find locally grown ones to love.
When choosing—either at the store or apple-picking orchard—look for solid apples with no mushy spots, bruises, or holes. Store in a cool, dry place in perforated plastic bags to allow air movement while retaining moisture. Perforate your own bag by poking holes every 6 inches on both sides of the bag.
Stores for: 1 to 3 months, depending on the variety
Best for: Pies, sauces, or sautéed for breakfast or served with pork dishes
Related Post: Vegan Apple Desserts
Cranberries
These jewels are at their peak in the fall when they’re harvested from bogs. Choose hard berries with no visible brown spots. Store cranberries in perforated plastic bags in the fridge, or freeze them.
Stores for: 1 to 2 months in the fridge, but freeze well whole for up to a year
Best for: Sauces, baked goods, or as a side to pork and poultry dishes
Pumpkins
Pumpkin’s not just for pies! This nutritious winter squash can be used in dishes that go way beyond dessert (Here are 5 health benefits of eating fresh pumpkin). Choose pumpkins with no holes or smooshy spots. Store in cool, dry condition.
Stores for: 2 to 6 months, depending on the variety
Best for: Roasting as a side, adding to stews, and puréeing into baked goods or to top yogurt and oatmeal
Spaghetti Squash
These oblong-shaped squash have stringy flesh that you can scrape out to create—you guessed it!—spaghetti-like strands. Look for solid squashes with no cuts. Store in a cool, dark place.
Stores for: A month or so
Best for: Stews, side dish with Romano cheese, or as a pasta substitute
Turnips
If you’ve never tried turnips, you may be surprised at their sweetness. Newer varieties can be eaten raw, too! Look for smooth turnips with no blemishes. Remove the tops (which also are edible) and wash them before storing them in the fridge without a plastic bag.
Stores for: 4 to 5 months
Best for: Stews, sides, or raw snacks
Butternut Squash
Butternuts are another type of winter squash (one of our favorite squash varieties), and they’re readily available everywhere. Choose butternuts that are heavy and not bruised or dented. Store at room temperature or in a cool, dry place.
Stores for: 3 to 6 months
Best for: Roasting drizzled with maple syrup, add to soups and stews, or as a pie.
Related Post: Peanut Butter Frosting
Arugula
This spicy green loves cool weather, so it’s plentiful in the fall. You can even try growing it yourself because it matures quickly, typically in less than a month. Choose bright green, dry arugula with no sliminess. Store it loosely packed in a perforated plastic bag. In a sealed bag, too much moisture will build up and cause mushiness.
Stores for: About a week
Best for: Salads alone or with other mixed greens, pizza toppings, or pasta dishes
Beets
No more canned beats! If you’ve never roasted fresh, you’re missing out on their earthy sweetness. Look for solid beets with healthy tops, which also are edible. Store in the fridge (but you can cut off tops to extend storage life).
Stores for: A few weeks
Best for: Roasting with olive oil and topping salads, or eaten warm or cold as a side
Broccoli
Look for firm heads with no yellow or open florets. Store unwashed heads in the fridge in a perforated plastic bag.
Stores for: About a week
Best for: Raw for snacks, steamed, or sautéed as a side or main dish
Brussels sprouts are sweeter when harvested after a frost, so buy local, when possible. Pick firm and solid heads. Refrigerate in perforated plastic bags.
Stores for: 3 to 5 weeks
Best for: Steamed or roasted with olive oil and drizzled with maple syrup
Buttercup Squash
Buttercups, not to be confused with the better-known butternut variety (see below), are a type of winter squash. Winter squash has hard outer rinds, so they can be stored for months.
Buttercup may be a little more difficult to find, but it’s worth the search. It’s a turban-shaped squash with a buttery-sweet, creamy texture. Pick smooth, solid squashes with no nicks. Store in a cool, dry place, such as a basement or pantry.
Stores for: A few months
Best for: Bake, purée, and add olive oil and Parm for a creamy pasta sauce, or use in any winter squash recipe.
Cabbage
Pick heavy, firm heads with no squishiness. There are many different varieties, but they store the same: Leave a few outer leaves in place to prevent drying, and store them in your crisper drawer; a plastic bag isn’t necessary.
Stores for: 3 to 4 months
Best for: Slaws, sautéed, or oven-roasted or made into sauerkraut
Related Post: 7 day diet plan with cabbage soup
Cauliflower
Cauliflower comes in so many pretty colors! Choose firm, smooth heads with no black spots. Keep a few leaves in place to hold the head together. Wrap it in a damp cloth or paper towel to boost humidity, which prevents browning.
Stores for: 3 weeks
Best for: Fresh for snacks, or steamed, stir-fried or mashed and substituted for potatoes
Best Fruits and Vegetables
Whether you’ve been ready for the return of overwhelming amounts of PSL #content or you’re desperately hoping it never comes back, the bombardment is coming. Because, yes, believe it or not, fall is not that far away. Therefore it is almost time for the resurgence of some of our favorite things: pumpkin spice lattes, spooky Halloween treats, and FRUITS AND VEGGIES.
Here are what products you should be buying for optimal freshness in the coming fall months and when, in particular, you should be buying it. One note: Let’s call “early fall” the beginning of September and “late fall” the end of November. With that, get yourself ready for some delicious and nutritious times ahead, my friends.
(Hey! And while you wait, might I suggest you check out some of our fantastic fall recipes in preparation? I’d start with the fall cocktails, move into the fall appetizers, crush your way through some easy breezy fall dinners, and conclude with a lil’ fall dessert, of course. Enjoy!)
Fruits:
- Apples: late summer through late fall
- Cranberries: mid-to-late fall
- Figs: late fall
- Grapes: late summer through early fall
- Guava: late fall
- Key limes: mid-to-late fall
- Kumquats: mid-to-late fall
- Passion fruit: early-to-mid-fall
- Pears: throughout the fall
- Persimmons: late fall
- Pomegranates: mid-to-late fall
- Quinces: late fall
What Fruits and Vegetables Are In Season In Autumn?
What Fruits and Vegetables Are In Season In Autumn? Autumn is the best time of the year to harvest and enjoy earthy fruits, veggies and herbs. It’s even better if you grow them yourself! Right here at Flora & Fauna, we have 50+ different seed varieties from The Little Veggie Patch Co. So, let’s take a look at what’s in season!
Why Eat Seasonally?
Do you eat local produce that’s in season? Eating in-season produce means that you’re consuming fruits, veggies and herbs at the height of their freshness and flavor. In-season produce packs a nutritional punch because it’s typically grown, harvested, and delivered in a shorter period of time.
Not only is it better for your health, but it’s also better for your wallet, too. In-season produce is generally in peak supply, so there’s no reason for growers to artificially extend the “season” of the produce in greenhouses. Buying local, in-season produce is also a fantastic way to support local growers and the economy.
Lastly, eating seasonally is a great way to add a variety of different vitamins and minerals to your meals throughout the year. Plus, it’s always fun to experiment with different produce.
Autumn Vegetables In Australia
Here in Australia, we’re pretty spoiled for choice when it comes to autumnal veggies! There are plenty of root veggies in season, which make fantastic bases for plenty of hearty dishes to warm you up in the chilly evenings. We have Beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Capsicum, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chillies, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Onions, Pak Choy, Parsley, Peas, Pumpkins, Spinach, Spring Onion, Tomatoes. Brussels Sprouts, Parsnips, Potatoes, Silverbeet, Sweet Potatoes, and Zucchini are also in season.
There are plenty of ways to jazz up these autumnal veggies. Try our delicious, creamy Pumpkin Soup With Coconut Bacon for example, or for something fresh and crunchy, you’ll love this Vietnamese Rainbow Salad With Sesame Crusted Tofu.
Autumn Fruits In Australia
Many fruits thrive in the cooler weather that we typically experience in March, April, and May. In autumn, many of these fruits are leaning toward the end of their harvest season, so they’re ripe and ready to go! Autumnal fruits include Apples, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Mandarins, Oranges, Pears, Pomegranates, Rhubarb, Strawberries and Watermelons.
Aside from the obvious (enjoying fruit in its whole form), why not experiment with these fruits in sweet and savory dishes? A delicious bed of leafy greens (kale, spinach, or lettuce), a layer of sweet, roasted veggies (beetroot, carrot, or pumpkin), a handful of chopped fruit (orange, apple, pear, or pomegranate), topped with walnuts and parsley.
Another great option is to make homemade jam with rhubarb or figs to channel the deep, earthy flavors of autumn.
Grow Your Own Produce With The Little Veggie Patch Co!
Here at F&F, we stock 50+ heirloom seed varieties from The Little Veggie Patch Co, plus their fantastic Seed Kits. These Seed Kits provide you with all the tools and information you’ll need to grow your own produce. You can grow Leafy Greens or Culinary Herbs — or choose a specially-designed Seed Kit for Beginners, Apartment-Dwellers, or Kids. Super handy!
The Little Veggie Patch Co — Grow Food Anywhere, The New Guide to Small-Space Gardening will introduce you to the basics of growing food. It’s split into three distinct chapters: What Plants Need (Soil, Light and Water; Infrastructure; Planting and Harvesting styles), Fruit and Veg to Grow (more than 70 varieties of fruit and vegetable across Australia and New Zealand), and Pests and Diseases to Know (identifying them according to their appearance and damage they cause).
Autumn is such a lovely time of the year! We love enjoying hearty root veggies and earthy fruits in all sorts of sweet and savory dishes
Related Post: Diet Plan With Fruits
Fall Fruits and Vegetables
Look for these fall fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets and in produce departments for the best flavor (and greatest value) in season. Specific crops and harvest dates of fall produce will depend, of course, on your region’s climate.
Wrong season? See the summer, spring, winter, or general seasonality guides for in-season produce all year long.
A to C
Apples
Apples belong to those fruits people have forgotten have a season. But they do, and in the Northern Hemisphere, they’re harvested late summer through fall.
Artichokes
Artichokes produce a second, smaller crop in the fall (the first go-around is in the spring) that tends to yield small-to-medium artichokes.
Arugula
Arugula is a cool-weather peppery green harvested at different times in different places (winter in warm climates, summer in cool ones), and in many places, during the fall.
Beets
Beets are in season in temperate climates from fall through spring and are available from storage most of the year everywhere else. Fresh beets often are sold with their greens still attached.
Belgian endive
Belgian endive is mostly “forced” to grow in artificial conditions. Its traditional season (when grown in fields and covered with sand to keep out the light), like that of all chicories, is late fall and winter.
Broccoli
Broccoli can be grown year-round in temperate climates, so we’ve forgotten it even has a season. In most climates, it is sweeter and less bitter, and sharp when harvested in the cooler temperatures of fall.
Broccoli rabe, rapini
Broccoli rabe, rapini is a more bitter, leafier vegetable than its cousin, broccoli, but likes similar cool growing conditions.
Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts grow on a stalk, and if you see them for sale that way, snap them up—they’ll last quite a bit longer than when they’re cut.
Cabbage
Cabbage is bright and crisp when raw and mellows and sweetens the longer it’s cooked. The cooler the weather when it’s harvested, the sweeter it tends to taste (this effect is called “frost kissed”).
Carrots
Carrots are harvested year-round in temperate areas. Unusual varieties are harvested during the carrot’s natural season, which is late summer and fall. True baby carrots—not the milled-down versions of regular carrots sold as “baby carrots” in bags at grocery stores—are available in the spring and early summer. Locally grown carrots are often available from storage through early winter even in colder climates.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower can be grown, harvested, and sold year-round, but it is by nature a cool-weather crop and at its best in fall and winter and into early spring.
Celeriac/celery root
Celeriac/celery root is at its best in the cooler months of fall, winter, and early spring (except in cold climates, where you’ll find it during the summer and early fall).
Celery
Celery is at its best in the fall, with its harvest continuing through winter in warm and temperate climates.
Chard
Chard, like all cooking greens, turns bitter when it gets too hot. It grows year-round in temperate areas and is best harvested in late summer or early fall in colder areas, and fall through spring in warmer regions.
Health Benefits of Fruits
Eating fruits and vegetables may promote emotional well-being among healthy young adults. Research suggests that a good mood may lead to a greater preference for healthy foods over overindulgent foods. The other benefits of fruits are listed in detail below.
1. Boost Energy
When you eat fruits, your supply of energy increases in no time; this is one of the prime benefits of fruits that we can utilize in our busy schedules. This is the reason why athletes often eat fruit during and after exercise and why diets for pregnant mothers almost always involve fruits.
2. Heart Health
Fruits like apricot, apple, banana, cantaloupe, berries, grapefruits, and oranges are great for protecting your heart as they are rich in flavonoids, carotenoids, fiber, potassium, and magnesium. Fruits also contain vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, and folate, all of which aid in regulating cholesterol levels and preventing diseases like stroke, atherosclerosis, and heart attack.
Related Post: heart healthy breakfast
3. Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a condition troubling a majority of people around the globe. While fruits are healthy for everyone, the ones with greater carb content are not recommended for diabetics. Fruits like apples, avocados, cherries, bananas, oranges, peaches, plums, etc., have a low glycemic index (GI) – less than 55, and they help in controlling blood sugar levels. Also, processed and canned fruits are not healthy as they contain artificial sweeteners, so always eat fresh fruits to reap maximum benefits.
4. Cancer
Vitamin-rich fruits are great for the prevention and treatment of many types of cancer like liver cancer and breast cancer. These include soursop, goji berry, camu camu and citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines, etc., When consumed regularly, fruits have the ability to show hepatoprotective properties which help in driving away cancer.
5. Blood Pressure
Potassium-rich fruits like bananas, apples, melons, plums, pears, apricots, and mango help in lowering hypertension. This mineral has been connected to regulating blood pressure owing to its vasodilating properties.
Related Post: foods that increase white blood cells
6. Kidney Stones
Fruits are rich in vitamin C, which helps in treating kidney stones. Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons are great for reducing your chances of suffering from kidney stones. Also, fruits are low in sodium, which is great news for people suffering from painful conditions.
7. Bone Health
Fruits like grapefruit and orange are rich in calcium and vitamin K, both of which aid in maintaining healthy bones and also help improve bone mineral density.
8. Prevent Diseases
The combination of powerful flavonoids, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, phytochemicals, and countless micro and macronutrients make fruits very advantageous for your health. The daily consumption of fresh fruits lowers the risk of strokes, high blood pressure, indigestion, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Some fruits like bananas contain vital chemicals such as potassium, which helps prevent strokes, high blood pressure, and anxiety. Fruit consumption basically eliminates vitamin and mineral deficiencies and their associated symptoms. Fruits also have high quantities of water and fiber in them, which helps keep your digestive tract clean and your weight under control.