What's in season in Queensland? A year-round guide for organic shoppers
One of the joys of buying organic in Queensland is that something good is always coming into season. Our state stretches from the cool Granite Belt to the tropical north, so harvest times can differ by weeks or months depending on where a farm is.
This guide gives you a general picture of what's usually around in each season. Treat it as a rough guide rather than a calendar. Weather, region and variety all shift timings, and certified organic supply of any given crop can be smaller and patchier than conventional supply. The best source of truth is always the grower.
Why shop in season?
- Availability. Organic farms grow without most synthetic inputs, so they tend to work with the season rather than against it. In-season organic produce is usually easier to find.
- Price. When a crop is plentiful, prices are often lower. That makes seasonal shopping one of the easiest ways to buy organic on a budget.
- Flavour and freshness. Produce grown closer to home and in its natural season often travels less and spends less time in storage.
- Supporting local growers. Buying what Queensland farms are harvesting now helps keep those farms going.
Summer (December to February)
Queensland summers are hot, wet and humid in much of the state, which suits tropical fruit.
Usually in season: - Mangoes. Queensland's mango season generally runs from late spring into late summer, with northern regions earlier and southern regions later. - Lychees and longans. A short summer season, so enjoy them while they last. - Pineapples, passionfruit and bananas. Bananas are grown year-round in north Queensland; pineapples have a summer peak. - Stone fruit and summer vegetables from the Granite Belt. The cooler highlands around Stanthorpe produce peaches, plums, nectarines, tomatoes, capsicums and zucchini through summer. - Cucumbers, eggplant, okra and snake beans from warmer growing areas.
Tip: Heavy summer rain can damage soft fruit and leafy greens. Expect gaps in organic supply after big storms, and be flexible.
Autumn (March to May)
As the heat eases, a wider range of crops comes back.
Usually in season: - Avocados. Some varieties start in late summer and autumn; Hass avocados become more common from late autumn. - Custard apples, a Queensland favourite, from about autumn into winter. - Apples and pears from the Granite Belt. - Persimmons, limes and passionfruit. - Pumpkins and sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are grown in Queensland for much of the year. - Ginger and turmeric from south-east Queensland growers.
Tip: Autumn is when many market gardens replant. Some leafy greens may be briefly scarce before the cool-season crops come in.
Winter (June to August)
Winter is south-east Queensland's great vegetable season. The Lockyer Valley, Darling Downs and Bundaberg regions are busy, and dry, sunny days suit many crops.
Usually in season: - Strawberries. South-east Queensland strawberries generally run from about winter into spring. - Citrus: mandarins, oranges, lemons, grapefruit and limes. - Brassicas: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale and brussels sprouts in cooler areas. - Lettuce, spinach, silverbeet, peas and broad beans. - Carrots, beetroot, potatoes and onions. - Tomatoes and capsicums from warmer winter growing areas such as around Bowen and Bundaberg.
Tip: Winter is a brilliant time for soups, roasts and big salads built from local organic veg.
Spring (September to November)
Spring brings the transition from cool-season crops to the first of the summer fruit.
Usually in season: - Strawberries, finishing during spring. - Blueberries. Queensland blueberries are generally available through the cooler months into spring. - Early mangoes from northern growing areas, usually from around October or November. - Peas, snow peas and spring greens, depending on region. - Zucchini, beans and early tomatoes as the weather warms. - Lettuce and herbs, before the summer heat makes them harder to grow.
Tip: Spring storms can arrive suddenly. As always, organic supply follows the weather.
Year-round staples
Some Queensland crops are available for much of the year, though supply rises and falls:
- Bananas
- Sweet potatoes
- Pumpkins
- Herbs such as parsley, coriander (in the cooler months) and basil (in the warmer months)
- Eggs, with some seasonal variation in supply from pasture-raised flocks
How to buy organic produce in season
- Ask the grower what's coming next. Growers are the best guide to what's about to ripen.
- Try a seasonal box. Organic delivery boxes are built around what's being harvested, so they're an easy way to eat seasonally without planning.
- Buy in bulk at peak season and preserve. Mango cheeks freeze well; tomatoes can be made into passata; citrus can become marmalade.
- Be flexible with recipes. Swap kale for silverbeet, or zucchini for squash, depending on what's available.
- Check certification as usual. Seasonal doesn't automatically mean organic. Look for the certifier and certificate number.
A note on accuracy
Harvest seasons vary from year to year and region to region. A cold snap, a wet season or a dry spell can shift timings by weeks. Certified organic supply of specific crops can also be limited, so a fruit being "in season" in Queensland doesn't guarantee you'll find it certified organic every week. When we list sellers on Blueberry Bear Organics, their shop pages will show what they actually have available.
General guide only, based on typical Queensland growing seasons. Check with growers for current availability.
— the Blueberry Bear Team