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What's in Season in May? Best Fruits and Vegetables

By Joe Boland

May 1, 2025

May marks a vibrant period in the culinary calendar, offering an abundance of fresh, flavorful and nutrient-rich produce. Embracing seasonal fruits and vegetables not only enhances the taste of your meals, but also supports local agriculture and ensures optimal nutritional value.

Let's delve into what's in season in May, highlighting the best fruits and vegetables to incorporate into your diet.

What’s in season in May?

What is the seasonal produce in May? Here are 10 standout fruits and vegetables to enjoy this May, along with their health benefits:

1. Strawberries

These sweet, juicy berries are rich in vitamin C, manganese and antioxidants, supporting an already healthy immune system. Strawberries also promote skin health.

2. Cherries

Cherries are packed with vitamins C and A, fiber, and antioxidants, which can help respond to inflammation in a healthy way and support heart health. Also high in melatonin, cherries are a food that can help you sleep.

3. Apricots

High in vitamin A, fiber and antioxidants, apricots support vision, digestive health and cellular health. They also provide vitamin C, which supports a healthy immune system.

4. Rhubarb

This tart vegetable is a good source of fiber, vitamin K and calcium, promoting bone health and aiding digestion.

5. Peaches

Rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber, peaches promote skin health and support a healthy immune system along with digestion.

6. Asparagus

A staple spring vegetable, asparagus is high in vitamins A, C and K, as well as folate and fiber, supporting eye health, as well as helping keep healthy immune and digestive systems in good shape.

Asparagus also supports heart health and helps with a healthy response to inflammation.

7. Spinach

Spinach offers vibrant green leaves packed with iron, vitamins A and C, and folate, supporting blood health, vision and immune health. Rich in calcium as well, spinach promotes bone health.

8. Peas

Both garden and snap peas are abundant in May. They are rich in fiber; vitamins A, C and K; and plant-based protein, supporting eye health and muscle repair.

Peas also support digestive health.

9. Radishes

With their crunchy texture and peppery bite, radishes are low in calories yet high in vitamin C and antioxidants, aiding a healthy immune system and response to inflammation. Radishes also aid in digestion and have detoxifying properties.

10. Zucchini

Beginning its season in late spring, zucchini is low in calories and rich in vitamins A and C, as well as potassium, supporting eye health and muscle function.

Best May fruits

In May, several fruits reach their peak freshness, though availability can vary by region. While the availability of fruits depends on where you are located, May offers a delightful selection across the U.S.

What are the best fruits to eat in May? Here are some of the freshest:

• Strawberries: In peak season across many states, particularly in California and the Northeast, strawberries offer optimal sweetness and flavor, and they’re widely available across the U.S.

• Cherries: Some varieties become available from the south of Spain, providing fresh flavor with a slight acid tang. Early varieties become available in warmer states like California.

• Apricots: Harvested in May, apricots are versatile for fresh eating, drying or incorporating into dishes. They start appearing in California markets in particular this month.

• Peaches: Making their debut in late May, peaches are rich in vitamins and can be enjoyed fresh, grilled or in desserts.

• Blueberries: While not yet in season everywhere, fresh blueberries are available from southern European and North African regions, with quality peaking in May. They also begin to ripen in Southern states, while Northern regions see peak harvest in June. Loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C, blueberries aid brain function and support heart health.

Other May fruits include:

• pineapple

• blackberries

• mulberries

• loquats

• lemons

• limes

• Valencia oranges

• grapefruit

• cantaloupe

• watermelon

• mango

• papaya

• avocado

• kiwi

• raspberries

Best May vegetables

May's vegetable offerings are diverse and nutrient-rich.

What vegetables are in the month of May? Here are some of the best May vegetables to eat:

• Asparagus: Abundant across the country, asparagus is best shortly after harvest, offering tender stalks rich in vitamins and fiber. It’s particularly abundant in the Midwest and Northeast in May.

• Spinach: Thriving in May, spinach provides iron, vitamins A and C, and folate, supporting overall health. Tender leaves are ideal for fresh dishes.

• Peas: Fresh green peas are available in the spring, offering a sweet flavor and nutritional benefits. Including sugar snap and snow peas, they’re available in cooler climates.

• Radishes: In-season radishes offer a crisp, peppery flavor and are rich in nutrients like vitamin C and potassium. They’re perfect for salads.

• Zucchini: Beginning its season in late spring, zucchini is versatile and nutrient-rich.

• Artichokes: High in fiber and antioxidants, artichokes support liver health and digestion. They’re in peak season in California.

• Fava beans: Available in farmers markets across the country, fava beans provide a buttery texture.

• Lettuce varieties: Lettuces such as Romaine and butterhead thrive in spring conditions.

• Rhubarb: Common in the Midwest and Northeast, rhubarb is often paired with strawberries in desserts. It’s often used as a fruit but is actually a vegetable.

Other May vegetables in season include:

• mushrooms

• carrots

• cactus paddles

• leeks

• kale

• bok choy

• chives

• collard greens

• Swiss chard

• arugula

• mustard greens

• dandelion greens

• endive

• broccoli

• cauliflower

• cabbage

• Brussels sprouts

• kohlrabi

• green onions

• spring onions

• garlic scapes

• beets

• turnips

• parsnips

• new potatoes

• rhubarb

• celery

• cucumber

• parsley

• cilantro

• mint

• basil

• dill

• thyme

• oregano

May recipes

Incorporating May's seasonal produce into your meals can be both delicious and nutritious. Here are some recipe ideas:

• Asparagus and brown rice salad: A simple and flavorful five-ingredient meal combining roasted asparagus, brown rice, tuna, cannellini beans and crumbled feta.

• Sheet-pan vegetable side dishes: Explore a variety of sheet-pan recipes featuring seasonal vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and carrots, roasted to perfection.

• Apricot dishes: Utilize fresh apricots in various preparations, from simple desserts with honey and cinnamon to savory salads with arugula and balsamic vinegar.

• Strawberry rhubarb crisp: A classic dessert highlighting the sweet-tart combination of strawberries and rhubarb.

• Spring pea soup: A light, creamy soup celebrating the freshness of peas.

• Spinach and feta stuffed artichokes: A savory dish featuring tender artichoke hearts filled with a flavorful spinach and feta mixture.

Here are more May seasonal produce recipes utilizing May vegetables and/or May fruits:

• Strawberry Oatmeal Cookies

• Carrot Oatmeal Breakfast Cake

• Papaya Strawberry Smoothie

• Carrot Cake Protein Bars

• Sheet Pan Pancakes with Fruit Topping

• Veggie Frittata

• Strawberry Coconut Oat No-Bake Energy Balls

• Miso Soup

• Raspberry Swirl Sweet Rolls

• Mushroom Risotto

• Asparagus Soup with Lemon (and Gremolata)

• Piña Colada Smoothie

• Spinach Goat Cheese Frittata

• Pineapple Ginger Lassi Drink

• Kale Quinoa Cakes with Lemon Dill Yogurt Sauce

• Collagen Kale Smoothie

• Gut-Supporting Green Smoothie

Embrace the bounty of May by enjoying these fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables in your meals. Not only will your dishes taste better, but you'll also reap the health benefits of produce at its peak.

As always, you should consult your healthcare professional prior to beginning any new dietary or lifestyle regimen.