Florida may lack the colors of changing leaves, but this time of year, produce stands burst with every color of the rainbow.
Intense Florida summers can be too hot for most crops to grow. Even with only slightly cooler temperatures in the fall, the growing season ramps up. It is a time of year when both warm-weather and cool-weather crops can overlap in season.
September is still a bit early in the season locally. At most markets, only the summer crops are available in September. In October and November, though, more local produce including cucumbers, snap beans and sweet corn will begin hitting the shelves. It is also the planting season for leafy greens, root vegetables and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower.
Here is a guide to what is in season in Greater Tampa Bay in the coming fall months, according to Fresh From Florida:
September
Avocados, guava, peanuts, carambola, mushrooms, tangerines, grapefruit, oranges
October
Cucumbers, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, avocados, guava, peanuts, carambola, mushrooms, tangerines, grapefruit, oranges
November
Eggplant, passion fruit, snap beans, radishes, strawberries, cucumbers, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, avocados, guava, peanuts, carambola, mushrooms, tangerines, grapefruit, oranges
Where to find it
In search of the freshest fruits and veggies? Here is a guide to some of GTB’s farmers markets that offer local produce.
Hillsborough County
Tampa Bay Farmers Market
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, closed at 5 p.m. Sundays
WHERE: Tampa Bay Farmers Market, 10001 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa
Hyde Park Fresh Market
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. first Sundays, monthly
WHERE: Hyde Park, 1602 W. Snow Ave., Tampa
Parkesdale Farm Market
WHEN: Wednesday to Sunday, April to October; Monday to Sunday, November to April
WHERE: 3702 W. Baker St., Plant City
Pinellas County
Saturday Morning Market + Williams Park Summer Market
WHEN: Williams Park Summer Market 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, June to August, extended to Oct. 31 in 2022; Saturday Morning Market 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., October to May
WHERE: Williams Park, 350 2nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg
Corey Avenue Sunday Market
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays
WHERE: Corey Avenue and Blind Pass, St. Petersburg
Dunedin Downtown Market
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, November to June
WHERE: 349 Main St., Dunedin
Pasco County
Fresh Market at Wiregrass
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. first and third Saturdays; biweekly
WHERE: The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Ste. 100, Wesley Chapel
Keystone Farmers Market
WHEN: Open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: 12615 Tarpon Springs Road, Odessa
Trinity Farmers Market
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays
WHERE: 1540 Little Road, Trinity
By Jewell Tomazin
