This guide explores seasonal vegetables in Australia throughout the year. Understanding what's in season can help you make healthier choices, support local farmers, and enjoy the best flavours. We'll cover vegetables from summer's tomatoes to winter's root crops, providing a comprehensive calendar of nature's offerings. This guide focuses on vegetables; for seasonal fruits, see our guide: Fruit in Season 

Health Benefits of Eating Seasonal Veggies in Australia

Choosing seasonal vegetables offers numerous benefits for your health, wallet, and the environment. Here's why opting for in-season veggies is advantageous:

Optimal Nutritional Value: Seasonal vegetables often contain higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. For example, winter vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts are rich in vitamin C, which supports immune function during colder months. They're allowed to grow and mature naturally, maximising their nutritional content.

Reduced Environmental Impact: Seasonal produce typically requires fewer artificial inputs such as heated greenhouses or long-distance transportation. This significantly reduces the carbon footprint of vegetable production. For instance, locally grown summer tomatoes have a much lower environmental impact than those imported during winter.

Cost-Effectiveness: In-season vegetables are usually more abundant and therefore more affordable. The principle of supply and demand leads to lower prices when vegetables are plentiful. This makes it easier to incorporate a variety of nutritious veggies into your diet without breaking the bank.

Supporting Local: Buying seasonal vegetables is an excellent way to support local farmers and strengthen the Australian agriculture sector. This not only boosts the local economy but also helps preserve farmland and rural communities. Learn more about buying local in our Farmers Market Guide.

Superior Flavour and Texture: Seasonal vegetables develop full flavours and optimal textures when allowed to grow naturally. Compare the taste of a locally grown, in-season asparagus to an imported one, and you'll notice the difference.

Diverse Diet: Eating seasonally encourages you to try a wider variety of vegetables throughout the year, which can broaden your palate and ensure a more diverse nutrient intake.

Food Safety: Remember the importance of properly cleaning your vegetables to remove potential contaminants and ensure food safety. Our ReFresh spray is an effective way to clean your veggies without water, preserving their freshness and extending shelf life.

By choosing seasonal vegetables, you benefit your health, support your local community, and contribute to environmental sustainability while enjoying superior taste and value. Plus, you'll be in sync with nature's rhythms, which can be satisfying in itself.

Summer Vegetables in Australia (December to February)

Australian summers offer a bounty of delicious vegetables. Here's what to enjoy and how to care for them:

Top 5 Summer Veggies

1. Tomatoes: Peak season from December to February. Varieties include Roma, Beefsteak, and Cherry tomatoes.
2. Zucchini: Abundant and versatile, perfect for grilling or spiralling.
3. Cucumbers: Crisp and refreshing, ideal for summer salads.
4. Sweet Corn: At its sweetest from December through February.
5. Capsicums (Bell Peppers): Available in a rainbow of colours, packed with vitamin C.

Selecting and Storing Summer Vegetables

Tomatoes: Choose firm tomatoes with vibrant colour. Before storing, spray thoroughly with ReFresh to remove any pesticide residues and preserve freshness. Allow to air dry, then store at room temperature. Refrigerate only if fully ripe.

Zucchini: Select small to medium-sized zucchini with smooth, unblemished skin. Treat with ReFresh spray before refrigerating to extend shelf life and ensure they're free from contaminants. This eliminates the need for rinsing before use, saving water.

Cucumbers: Pick firm cucumbers with dark green colour. Spray liberally with ReFresh, allow to drip dry, then refrigerate. This process removes any waxy coatings and helps maintain the cucumbers' crisp texture.

Sweet Corn: Look for ears with fresh, green husks and moist silk. If not consuming immediately, keep husks on and spray the outer leaves with ReFresh before refrigerating. This helps maintain freshness without affecting taste.

Capsicums: Choose firm, smooth-skinned capsicums with vibrant colour. Apply ReFresh spray to remove pesticides and potential contaminants, then let air dry. Store in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.

By using ReFresh on these summer vegetables, you're not only ensuring they're clean and safe to eat, but also extending their shelf life and reducing water usage. This approach allows you to fully enjoy the flavours of Australian summer while making environmentally conscious choices.

Autumn Vegetables in Australia (March to May)

As the weather cools, Australia's autumn brings a new selection of vegetables to enjoy. Here's what you can look forward to during these months:

5 Must-Try Autumn Vegetables

1. Pumpkin: Various varieties come into season, including Butternut, Kent, and Jap.
2. Broccoli: Reaches its peak flavour and nutrition in cooler autumn months.
3. Cauliflower: Abundant and versatile, perfect for roasting or using as a low-carb alternative.
4. Eggplant: Late summer/early autumn sees the best of this purple vegetable.
5. Brussels Sprouts: These nutrient-packed mini cabbages are at their best in autumn.

Selecting and Storing Autumn Vegetables

Pumpkin: Choose pumpkins that feel heavy for their size with a hard, deep-coloured rind. After bringing them home, spray thoroughly with ReFresh to remove any soil or contaminants. Allow to air dry, then store in a cool, dark place (not the refrigerator) for up to several months.

Broccoli: Select heads with tight, green florets and firm stalks. Spray with ReFresh, paying attention to the tight floret structure where pesticides can hide. Let dry, then store in the refrigerator in a breathable bag. This treatment helps prevent mold growth and extends freshness.

Cauliflower: Look for compact, white heads without brown spots. Treat with ReFresh spray, ensuring coverage of all surfaces. Allow to dry fully before storing in the refrigerator. This process helps maintain the cauliflower's crisp texture and white colour.

Eggplant: Choose firm, smooth-skinned eggplants with a bright, glossy colour. Spray with ReFresh to clean effectively without water, which can cause premature spoilage. Let air dry, then store at room temperature if using within a couple of days, or in the refrigerator for longer storage.

Brussels Sprouts: Select small, firm sprouts with tightly packed leaves. If bought on the stalk, remove sprouts and spray thoroughly with ReFresh, allowing them to dry. Store in a breathable bag in the refrigerator. This treatment helps prevent yellowing and preserves freshness.

Using ReFresh on your autumn vegetables not only ensures they're clean and free from pesticides but also helps maintain their freshness for longer. This is particularly beneficial for vegetables like pumpkins and Brussels sprouts, which you might store for extended periods. Remember, there's no need to rinse after using ReFresh, saving water and time in your vegetable preparation routine.

Winter Vegetables in Australia (June to August)

While winter may seem less bountiful, Australia still offers a variety of delicious vegetables during the cooler months. Here's what you can enjoy:

5 Hearty Winter Vegetables

1. Carrots: Sweet and crunchy, winter carrots are perfect for roasting or in warming soups.
2. Kale: This nutrient-dense leafy green thrives in cooler temperatures.
3. Leeks: A milder alternative to onions, leeks are at their best in winter.
4. Potatoes: Various varieties are available, from waxy to floury, ideal for different winter dishes.
5. Silverbeet (Swiss Chard): This leafy green is hardy and versatile, perfect for winter meals.

Tips for Choosing and Storing Winter Vegetables

Carrots: Select firm, brightly coloured carrots without cracks. Before storage, spray thoroughly with ReFresh to remove any soil residues and potential contaminants. This is particularly important for carrots, as they're often eaten raw. Allow to air dry, then store in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator in a breathable bag.

Kale: Choose crisp, dark green leaves without yellowing. Spray liberally with ReFresh, paying attention to the curly leaves which can harbour dirt and insects. Let dry naturally, then store in a sealed container lined with paper towels in the refrigerator. This process helps prevent wilting and maintains freshness.

Leeks: Look for firm leeks with crisp, green tops and white bottoms. Treat with ReFresh spray, ensuring the solution reaches between the layers where soil can hide. Allow to dry thoroughly, then wrap loosely in a damp cloth and store in the refrigerator. The ReFresh treatment helps prevent premature yellowing and decay.

Potatoes: Select firm potatoes without sprouts or green patches. After treating with ReFresh spray to clean effectively without water, allow to air dry completely. Store in a cool, dark place (not the refrigerator) in a breathable bag or basket. The spray helps prevent the spread of any mold spores during storage.

Silverbeet: Choose bright, crisp leaves with firm stalks. Spray with ReFresh, ensuring coverage of both leaves and stems. Let dry, then store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. This treatment helps maintain crispness and prevent yellowing, extending the vegetable's shelf life.

Using ReFresh on your winter vegetables is especially beneficial during this season when many vegetables are stored for longer periods. The spray helps remove not just pesticides, but also soil and other contaminants that are often present on winter root vegetables and leafy greens. This allows you to enjoy the pure taste of the vegetable without any residues.

Remember, after using ReFresh, there's no need to rinse your vegetables before use. This not only saves water but also preserves the protective benefits of the spray, helping your winter vegetables stay fresh for longer in storage.

Spring Vegetables in Australia (September to November)

Spring brings a refreshing change to the vegetable scene in Australia, with a mix of tender greens and early summer varieties. Here's what you can look forward to:

5 Delicious Spring Vegetables to Discover

1. Asparagus: The quintessential spring vegetable, asparagus is at its peak during these months.
2. Artichokes: Both globe and Jerusalem artichokes come into season in spring.
3. Peas: Fresh garden peas and sugar snap peas are abundant in spring.
4. Spring Onions: Also known as scallions, these offer a milder onion flavour perfect for spring dishes.
5. Spinach: Tender baby spinach leaves are particularly sweet in spring.

Best Practices for Selecting and Storing Spring Vegetables

Asparagus: Choose firm stalks with tight, compact tips. Spray thoroughly with ReFresh to remove any soil or pesticide residues, paying particular attention to the tips where residues can hide. Allow to air dry, then store upright in a container with a little water at the bottom, covered loosely with a plastic bag, in the refrigerator. This treatment helps maintain freshness without encouraging mould growth.

Artichokes: Select firm, heavy artichokes with tightly packed leaves. For globe artichokes, treat with ReFresh spray, ensuring the solution reaches between the leaves. For Jerusalem artichokes, spray to remove soil residues. Let dry naturally, then store in a paper bag in the refrigerator. This process helps prevent oxidation and maintains texture.

Peas: Look for bright green, crisp pods that are plump but not overly large. If still in pods, spray with ReFresh before storing to clean effectively without water, which can cause premature spoilage. Store in a breathable bag in the refrigerator. For shelled peas, spray lightly and pat dry before storing. The ReFresh treatment helps preserve the peas' natural sweetness.

Spring Onions: Choose spring onions with crisp, green tops and firm white bases. Spray with ReFresh, paying attention to the area where the green meets the white, as dirt often collects here. Allow to dry, then wrap loosely in a damp paper towel and store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. This method helps prevent wilting and maintains crispness.

Spinach: Select bright, crisp leaves without signs of wilting or yellowing. Treat with ReFresh spray to remove any soil or contaminants without water, which can cause rapid deterioration. Let air dry, then store in a sealed container lined with paper towels in the refrigerator. This treatment helps extend shelf life significantly, keeping leaves crisp and fresh.

Using ReFresh on your spring vegetables is an excellent way to ensure they're clean and free from contaminants as you transition into the warmer months. The spray is particularly beneficial for delicate spring vegetables, helping to extend their shelf life without the need for excessive handling or washing.

Remember, ReFresh-treated vegetables don't require rinsing before use, saving water and preserving the vegetables' natural protective qualities. This makes your spring vegetable preparation easier and more environmentally friendly, allowing you to fully enjoy the fresh, tender produce this season has to offer.