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istetiana / Getty Images
An easy way to save on fruits and vegetables is to buy what's in season when they are at their most plentiful. And there's a bonus that money can't buy when you follow this strategy: Fruits and vegetables always taste better when they are in season in your area and are harvested closer to the peak of freshness than those that spend a lot of time in shipping that might cover thousands of miles. There's an old saying that holds a lot of truth: "There's nothing so rare as true love and homegrown tomatoes." Seasonal fruits and vegetables might be fleeting, but they are literally the pick of the crop.
Here's a guide to help you find the best produce deals month-by-month. Need recipe ideas? Just click on any of the linked foods.
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January
Django / Getty Images Buy broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, grapefruit, kale, leeks, lemons, oranges, parsnips, rutabagas, tangelos, tangerines, and turnips in this deep winter month.
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February
Cultura Exclusive / Magdalena Niemczyk - ElanArt / Getty Images
February's best buys are similar to those in January: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, grapefruit, kale, leeks, lemons, oranges, parsnips, rutabagas, tangelos, and turnips.
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March
Michael Moeller / EyeEm / Getty Images
March changes up the season list somewhat with artichokes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, parsnips, pineapples, radishes, rutabagas, and turnips.
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April
Ekaterina Smirnova / Getty Images This first full month of spring brings artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, pineapples, radishes, rhubarb, and spring peas. Asparagus is a traditional part of Easter dinner and other spring feasts.
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May
Daniel Grill / Getty Images The list starts to lengthen in May as spring deepens with apricots, artichokes, asparagus, cherries, lettuce, mangoes, okra, pineapples, radishes, rhubarb, spring peas, strawberries, Swiss chard, and zucchini.
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June
Brian Macdonald / Getty Images June welcomes summer and brings a fruit-heavy harvest of apricots, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, corn, kiwi, lettuce, mangoes, peaches, strawberries, Swiss chard, watermelon, and zucchini.
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July
Roman Larin / EyeEm / Getty Images July is high summer, and the racks at the farmer's markets are bursting with apricots, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, green beans, kiwi, kohlrabi, lettuce, mangoes, okra, peaches, peppers, plums, raspberries, strawberries, summer squash, Swiss chard, tomatoes, watermelon, and zucchini.
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August
Elisabeth Coelfen / EyeEm / Getty Images The bountiful harvest of summer continues in August with acorn squash, apples, apricots, blueberries, butternut squash, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, figs, green beans, kiwi, kohlrabi, lettuce, mangoes, okra, peaches, peppers, plums, raspberries, strawberries, summer squash, Swiss chard, tomatoes, watermelon, winter squash, and zucchini.
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September
istetiana / Getty Images The still-warm days of September bring acorn squash, apples, beets, butternut squash, cantaloupe, cauliflower, eggplant, figs, grapes, green beans, lettuce, mangoes, mushrooms, okra, peppers, persimmons, pomegranates, pumpkins, spinach, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, and tomatoes.
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October
Brzozowska / Getty Images The first full month of fall isn't short on seasonal produce, with acorn squash, apples, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, cabbage, cauliflower, cranberries, grapes, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, parsnips, persimmons, pomegranates, pumpkins, rutabagas, spinach, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, turnips, and winter squash.
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November
Caiaimage / Adam Gault / Getty Images
November is the time to buy beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cranberries, leeks, mushrooms, oranges, parsnips, pears, persimmons, pomegranates, pumpkins, rutabagas, spinach, sweet potatoes, tangerines, turnips, and winter squash.
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December
"Timmann, Claudia" / Getty Images
Deep in December, the seasonal shelves hold broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, grapefruit, kale, leeks, mushrooms, oranges, papayas, parsnips, pears, pomegranates, rutabagas, sweet potatoes, tangelos, tangerines, and turnips.
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Freeze Some for Later
Westend61 / Getty Images Many of the fruits and vegetables on this list freeze well. Buy extra while they're in season so you can enjoy them throughout the year.