Summer Produce Guide
Mango
Peak season. Look for Kensington Pride, R2E2 and Calypso varieties.
Lychee
Short season — late Nov through Jan. Buy direct from growers.
Pineapple
Year-round but sweetest in summer. Look for Gold Bar.
Passionfruit
Vines peak in early summer. Fragrant and rich.
Tomatoes
Heirloom varieties available at farm gates from Dec.
Capsicum
Red, yellow and orange. Growers' markets have the best variety.
Sweet Corn
Fresh picked is incomparably sweeter than store-bought.
Avocado
Hass begin late summer. Ask growers about variety and timing.
Zucchini
Prolific in home gardens and farm gates through the season.
Basil
Fresh bunches at every growers' market. Make pesto.
Summer Tips
Visit farm gates early in the morning — mangoes are often harvested and sorted overnight.
Ask about "seconds" — cosmetically imperfect fruit sold at a fraction of the retail price, perfect for jams and smoothies.
Many u-pick experiences operate on weekends only in summer. Book ahead or check social media.