🍎Buying Ontario’s Produce In-Season
by The Green Jar™️
This is my favourite time of year! Ontario’s farms are bursting with fresh, flavourful produce.
Buying in-season means better taste, lower cost, and fewer food miles. It also supports Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and helps reduce packaging and waste.
Here’s a quick guide to enjoying Ontario’s late summer to autumn fruits and vegetables, with tips for storing, cooking, and even planting garlic for next year’s harvest.
Late Summer (August – September)
Celebrate the tail end of summer with juicy fruits and vibrant vegetables.
Produce to Buy:
- Peaches
- Plums
- Nectarines
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Melons (Cantaloupe, Watermelon)
- Grapes (Concord, Niagara)
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Peppers (Sweet & Hot)
- Beans
- Swiss Chard
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Celery
- Garlic
Storage Tips:
- Peaches/Plums/Nectarines: Ripen on the counter, then refrigerate.
- Berries: Store unwashed in a breathable container with a paper towel.
- Melons: Whole at room temp; refrigerate once cut.
- Tomatoes: Room temp for best flavor.
- Zucchini/Cucumbers: Refrigerate in a perforated produce bag.
- Leafy Greens: Wrap in a damp towel and store in a container or produce bag.
Early to Mid Autumn (September – October)
Ontario’s harvest is rich with hearty produce perfect for preserving and cozy meals.
Produce to Buy:
- Apples (McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Gala, Empire)
- Pears (Bartlett, Bosc, Anjou)
- Crabapples
- Pumpkins
- Winter Squash (Butternut, Acorn, Spaghetti)
- Carrots
- Beets
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Leeks
- Turnips
- Rutabagas
- Parsnips
- Radishes
- Garlic
Storage Tips:
- Garlic: Keep bulbs whole until ready to use. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. Avoid the fridge to prevent sprouting. Once peeled, refrigerate in a sealed container.
- Apples/Pears: Store in the fridge crisper drawer.
- Squash/Pumpkins: Store whole in a cool, dark place.
- Carrots/Beets: Remove tops and store in water or sealed container in fridge.
- Cabbage/Cauliflower/Broccoli: Wrap or bag and refrigerate.
- Brussels Sprouts: Store in a breathable container in the fridge.
- Leeks: Refrigerate in a produce bag.
- Root Veggies: Store in a cool, dark place or fridge crisper.
Late Autumn (October – November)
Cooler weather brings longer-lasting produce and opportunities to plant garlic for next year.
Produce to Buy:
- Apples (Northern Spy, Russet)
- Pears (Bosc, Anjou)
- Cranberries
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Shallots
- Fennel
- Sunchokes
- Horseradish
- Garlic
Storage Tips:
- Cranberries: Refrigerate or freeze.
- Potatoes/Onions/Shallots: Store in a paper or mesh bag in a cool, dark place.
- Fennel: Refrigerate in a produce bag.
- Sunchokes: Store in a paper bag in the fridge.
- Horseradish: Wrap in a damp towel and refrigerate.
I am a huge fan of garlic! It reduces inflammation and boosts our immune system- especially important this time of year. Garlic is super easy to grow at home. Just plant a clove in the fall, and by summer, you’ll have a full bulb! Here are some tips.
🧄 Garlic: Cooking & Planting Tips
Cooking Ideas
- Roasted Garlic Spread: Slice the top off a whole bulb, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast at 400°F for 40 minutes. Squeeze out the soft cloves and spread on bread or mix into mashed potatoes.
- Garlic-Infused Oil: Gently simmer peeled cloves in olive oil for 20 minutes. Strain and store oil in the fridge for up to a week. Use for sautéing or drizzling over roasted veggies. Sooo delish!
Planting Garlic in Ontario
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Best Time: Late October to early November, before the ground freezes.
- Garlic (for planting): Choose firm, healthy bulbs. Store in a cool, dry place until planting.
- Separate cloves from the bulb (leave skins on).
- Plant each clove 2 inches deep, pointed end up, 6 inches apart.
- Cover with mulch (straw or leaves).
- Garlic will overwinter and sprout in spring. Harvest in July!
Try a new recipe using this week’s in-season ingredients, share in the comments below and tag us with your dish @thegreenjarshop with #EatWithTheSeasons