The Best Time to Buy Summer Produce

A way to help you save money is by learning the best time to buy summer produce. You are saving money because every time you throw spoiled food away, you are wasting money.

This post will help you maximize your grocery dollars because now you’ll know when fruits and vegetables are in season and how to know if they’re ripe.

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  Watermelons are in season from late summer until early fall. A watermelon is considered ripe if it sounds hollow when you thump it. Be aware, though, that the thump test doesn’t work on smaller watermelons. Another way to check ripeness is to look at the patch under the watermelon…it’s ripe when it turns yellow.

• Cucumbers are their ripest in the middle of summer through early fall. Cucumbers are considered to be at their peak when they reach about 6 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. The skin should also be smooth. You can refrigerate cucumbers for about a week.
• Onions are at their best from early summer until fall. Select firm, heavy onions with papery skins. They shouldn’t feel soft or have any blemishes. Stay away from any that are sprouting. Store them in a cool, well-ventilated spot up to a few weeks. (Here’s my tip for cutting onions: Place the onion in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes before cutting. Freezing the onion slows down the release of the gases into the air, which makes you tear.)
• Potatoes should be chosen when the skins are smooth and unblemished. They should feel firm, not soft or moldy. Stay away from green or shriveled potatoes. You can store them at room temperature-away from onions-for about a week. (Another tip: Place an apple in the bag of potatoes and they won’t sprout. I learned this trick a few years ago and have not seen a sprout since!)
• Sweet corn is in season from midsummer to early fall. The silks should be brown, but not dried out. The kernels should be formed all the way to the end. If you see any dimpled kernels, they are past their prime. Store sweet corn in the fridge for up to a week.
• Tomatoes are tastiest from midsummer to early fall. Be sure to pick tomatoes when they are almost ripe and feel heavy. It should allow slight pressure and smell just like a tomato. You should store them at room temperature for up to 3 days. Do not refrigerate them because they will become mushy. Only refrigerate them if you’ve cut them and plan to use them by the next day.
• Garlic is sweetest in late summer. The cloves should be firm, not brown. Store them in a cool place for up to 6 months.

Obviously, this list does not include all of the fruits and vegetables that are in season in the summer. I just wanted to show how you can save money on some of the more popular ones.

Feel free to add your tips for picking and storing summer produce in the comments.

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• See How Much I’ve Saved Using Coupons
• 10 Ways to Eat Healthy and Save Money
• Create a Meal Plan to Save Money

**Image courtesy of Paul at freedigitalphotos.net