Secure online shopping 
FREE DELIVERY for orders over R650
Eating with the seasons is one of the most natural things on earth.
But with supermarkets offering air freighted foods, artificially preserved foods and farmers growing using unnatural methods to extended their seasons it can be difficult to tell what is seasonal food anymore?
Here we attempt to provide a seasonal calendar for the Western Cape in South Africa. Month by month you will find the fresh produce listed that will be coming out of gardens, smallholdings and farms employing natural outdoor growing. It’s not a perfect guide, weather conditions and different varieties of produce will cause variations, but will give a good guideline for seasonal eating.
Remember, eating seasonally is best for nutrition and flavour as produce is in peak condition and properly ripe, you also get the best possible prices. Seasonal eating is also best for the planet too, avoiding long distance transport or air freighting, and all the costs of storage etc.
We hope this list will inspire and inform so you can make better, tastier choices.
Please note: earthshine does not sell fresh fruit and vegetables, just delicious healthy snacks and foods made from them!
January
Vegetables: asparagus, baby butternut, baby corn, green beans, mange tout, beetroot, sweet peppers, baby corn, carrots, chives, courgettes, cucumber, brinjal, endive [limited supply], garlic, lettuce, mushrooms, onion, parsley, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, radicchio. spinach, squash, Italian tomatoes, table celery
Fruit: all berries, apricots, figs, granadillas, nectarines, peaches, plums, bananas, lemons, litchis, mangoes, nectarines, peaches, pears, pineapples, prickly pears, grapes, watermelons, honeydew melons, kiwi fruit
Herbs: mint, sage, thyme, marjoram, origanum, basil, rosemary, fennel, dill, bay leaves, winter summer savoury, borage, rocket, lemon grass
February
Vegetables: asparagus, green beans, beetroot, sweet peppers, carrots, cabbage, chives, courgettes, cucumber, brinjal, endive, [limited supply] garlic, lettuce, mealies, mushrooms, onion, parsley, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips
Fruit: apples top red, starking, golden delicious, Royal Gala end of Feb, figs mid Feb, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, pomegranates, bananas, lemons, mangoes, melons, pineapples, prickly pears, grapes, spanspek, watermelon, granadillas, all berries.
Herbs: mint, sage, thyme, marjoram, origanum, basil, rosemary, fennel, dill, bay leaves.
March
Vegetables: . avocados starting, green beans, beetroot, cabbage, sweet peppers, carrots, celery, chives, courgettes, cucumber, brinjal, endive-limited supply, leeks, garlic, lettuce, mealies, mushrooms, onion, parsley, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips
Fruit: apples end of March Granny Smith, Royal Gala, bananas; avocados, figs,
peaches, pears, plums, pomegranates, quince, lemons, grapefruit-imported, mangoes, pineapples, grapes, spanspek, watermelon
Herbs: mint, sage, thyme, marjoram, origanum, basil, rosemary, dill, bay leaves.
April
Vegetables: Jerusalem artichokes, green beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, sweet peppers, carrots, celery, chives, courgettes, cucumber, brinjal, endive-limited supply, leeks, garlic-scarce, lettuce, mealies, mushrooms, onion, parsley, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips
Fruit: apples granny smith, fuji-mid April, pears, avocados, bananas, lemons, grapefruit-imported, grapes, gooseberry; pineapples winter melons; pomegranates
Herbs: mint, sage, thyme, marjoram, origanum, rosemary, bay leaves
May
Vegetables: Jerusalem artichokes, green beans, beetroot, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, sweet peppers, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chives, courgettes, cucumber, endive, horseradish-limited, kale, leeks, garlic-scarce, lettuce, mushrooms, onion, parsley, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, spinach, gem squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, peas
Fruit: avocados, bananas, oranges, lemons, grapefruit-imported, guavas, paw-paw, pineapples, Cape gooseberry, pecan nuts
Herbs: mint, sage, thyme, marjoram, origanum, rosemary, fennel, bay leaves
June
Vegetables: Jerusalem artichokes, beetroot, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chives, cucumber, endive, horseradish, kale, leeks, garlic-scarce, lettuce, mushrooms, onion, parsley, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, turnips, peas
Fruit: avocado, bananas, orange, lemons, grapefruit, naartjies, limes, guavas, paw-paw, pineapples, Cape gooseberries, granadilla, kiwi-limited, rhubarb, apples
Herbs: mint, sage, thyme, marjoram, origanum, rosemary, fennel, bay leaves
July
Vegetables: beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, black radish, Japanese white radish-daikon, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, celeriac, endive, horseradish, kale-red russian, kale-black cavelo nero, kohlrabi, leeks, garlic-scarce, lettuce, mushrooms, onion, parsley, parsnips, peppers, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, swiss chard, spring onion, gem squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, tatsoi, pak choi, turnips, peas
Fruit: avocado, bananas, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, naartjies, kumquats, guavas, paw-paw, pineapples, Cape gooseberry, granadillas, kiwi, apples
Herbs: mint, sage, thyme, sweet marjoram, origanum, rosemary, fennel, bay leaves, lavender, parsley, dandelion, nasturtiums, garlic chives, winter savoury, calendula, nettle, rocket, sage-limited, bulb fennel, perennial basil, sorrel, bloody sorrel, lemon grass stems, lime leaves, cat mint, green & red mustard, garden cress
August
Vegetables: asparagus, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, black radish, Japanese white radish-daikon, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, celeriac, cucumber, endive, horseradish, kale, leeks, garlic-scarce, lettuce, mushrooms, new potatoes, onion, parsley, parsnips, peas, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, spring onion, Swiss Chard, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, tatsoi, pak choi, turnips
Fruit: avocado, bananas, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, naartjies, limes, tangelo-limited, kumquat, guava, loquats, paw-paw, pineapples, cape gooseberries, granadilla, kiwi,
Herbs: mint, sage, thyme, marjoram, origanum, rosemary, fennel, bay leaves, lavender, parsley, dandelion, nasturtiums, garlic chives, winter savoury, calendula, nettle, rocket, sage-limited, bulb fennel, perennial basil, sorrel, bloody sorrel, lemon grass stems, lime leaves, cat mint, green & red mustard, garden cress
September
Vegetables: asparagus, artichokes, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, black radish, Japanese white radish-daikon, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, endive-limited, leeks, garlic, lettuce, mushrooms, new potato, onion, parsley, parsnips, peas, potato, pumpkin, radishes, rhubarb, swiss chard, squash, spring onion, sweet potatoes, tatsoi, pak choi, tomatoes, turnips, waterblommetjies
Fruit: mulberries, avocados, bananas, cape gooseberries, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, naartjies, limes, tangelo-limited, kumquats, guava, paw paw, pineapple, kiwi, rhubarb
Herbs: mint, sage, thyme, rosemary, fennel, french tarragon-limited, bay leaves, lavender, parsley, dandelion, nasturtiums, garlic chives, winter savoury, calendula, , nettle, rocket, sage-limited, bulb fennel, perennial basil, sorrel, bloody sorrel, lemon grass stems, lime leaves, cat mint, green & red mustard, garden cress
October
Vegetables: globe artichoke, beetroot, green beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chives, courgettes, cucumber, endive-limited, leeks, garlic, lettuce, mealies, mushrooms, onion, parsley, parsnips, peas, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, waterblommetjies
Fuit: apricots, mulberries, bananas, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, naartjies, guava, paw-paw, pineapples, kiwi, rhubarb, strawberries
November
Vegetables: asparagus, baby marrows, beans, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, globe artichokes, leeks, peas, spinach
Fruit: almonds, apricots, avocados, cherries, guavas, paw-paw, peaches, pineapples, plums, spanspek, strawberries, watermelons, melons
Herbs: mint, sage, thyme, marjoram, origanum, basil, rosemary, fennel, dill, bay leaves
December
Vegetables: globe artichokes, green beans, sweet peppers, carrots, chives, courgettes, cucumber, brinjal, endive-limited, garlic, lettuce mealies, mushrooms, onion, parsley, potato, pumpkin, radishes, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes
Fruit: cherries-one or two weeks only, figs, nectarines, peaches, plums, bananas, lemons, litchis, mango, paw paw, pineapples, spanspek, water, melons, rhubarb.
Herbs: mint, sage, thyme, marjoram, oreganum, basil, rosemary, fennel, dill, bay leaves
fantastic! I’ve been looking for a list like this.
Agreed, so useful!! Thank you.
Thank you
Can you please publish a list with prices of the things we may order from your shop to be included with the pizza delivery. EG could I order sprouted buckwheat?
i hope so.
kind regards,
christine
All our other products are available from our webshop on this site or from good retailers like wellness warehouse, superfoods or faithful to nature. Sorry we dont sell fresh produce
Hi
I am looking for Parsnips to buy bulk about 400kg per week.
Please assist
Sorry we do not sell fresh veg
Would it be possible to have a planting list for all of the above (in the Western Cape) as it appears that the month under which they are listed is according to the picking time.
Many thanks
Karen
This list was compiled for commercial seasonal availability, no planting times.
I’ll work on it!
Hello Karen
I can supply planting times as I am a grower and agri advisor nationally!
Dear Gavin,
Can you supply me with a seasonal planting list for vegetables for the Gordons Bay area.
Kind Regards
Hi Gavin,
Can you send me a list of planting times for the Western Cape.
Many Thanks
Peer
Hi Gavin,
did you compile a planting/seeding table for the Western Cape? I wanted to find out the best crops and planting times for domestic vegetables in the Robertson area.
thank you
Jonathan Taylor
Hi Gavin
Could you send me a copy of your list for planting times of the fruit n veg that Earthshine put on web page above. Many thanks
Kind regards
Gillian
Can you please send me a list of the planting times in the cape region.I will apprecite it.
Dear Gavin
Please can you send me a planting list for seasonal fruit and veg for cape town.
Many thanks.
Please do share such a planting list!
Thanks
We are working on it… 🙂
Good Morning.
I want to plant sweet corn beginning of August but want to sell it before I plant. I know it is basicly the wrong way around but want to limit the chances of sitting with the product at the end and then having it go bad before I sell it. I’m planning to plant about a hecter to start with.
Would you have any advise for me or know where I could market it?
Regards
Danie
Essentially you are talking more of a box scheme approach, not sure if thats viable with just one crop? maybe though.
I dont know of anyone that would pay for the whole crop up front, but there are several who would buy once ready if organic, ethical co-op good starting point.
Hello Danie
The only crops planted with a future contract is maize,wheat and soyas. There is no supermarket that will buy any produce in advance so best to plant grow and when you have make sure that the quality is great!
Hi Gavin.
Hi Gavin and Admin.
We do Refrigerated transport. we are in the market for new and bigger customers.
i would like if you can share the time list with me on where and when and what is harvested if possible.
You can send me a list to john@sedakalogistics.co.za
Thank you.
Do you have any Jerusalem Artichokes for sale?
Thanks
Sorry, We dont sell fresh produce
Tracey
Do you need year round or just through winter?
could you kindly advise of suppliers in western cape who could immeditely supply the following vegetables
Pumpkin,butternut;carrots;sweetcorn;sweetpotoatoes.
Fruit any fruit in season
Good day,
I am looking for fresh kumquats in the Hermanus region. Could you suggest a location?
You could try asking at the Camphill?
Hi can you email me a seasonal chart for western cape Boland harvest time and planting time fruits and vegs thank you
The seasonal chart is here in the post
Fantastic page and simple to fully understand description. How can I go about getting permission to publish part of the post in my upcoming e-newsletter?
Thank you so much for an awesome list.
Can I plant Asparagus seed all year long? I brought some seed from overseas.
Thanks Margie.
I WILL BE IN CAPETOWN IN MID MAY, I LIKE TO TAKE MY FAMILY FRUIT PICKING. PLEASE COULD YOU ADVISE ME TO WHERE TO GO, thank you
Hi, I am beginning now in March with a herb and vegie garden. I see you have decided to try and compile a list of when to plant what. Would like very much to know what I can plant now in a semi shade garden…more interested in green leafy plants and culinary herbs. Does one have to plant new each season or do some just keep going. Can you recommend a site or book on this? Thank you so much. I am in the Hermanus area.
Thank you for this list, i will be sharing it with all my friends and family.
Hi Tracy,
Can you also send me the list.
Kind Regards
Peer
Hi there
Would you be able to
Send me the planting times
for western cape.
Thanks marc
http://www.organicseed.co.za/content/13-sa-planting-calendars
Hello
I would like to know the most suitable vegitables and best planting times for the Grabow/Elgin area.
This calendar will be a great start point, then apply your observations 🙂
Hi, I’m the Sous Chef at Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites. Its a 4-star hotel
Situated in Cape Town city. We are currently reviewing our menu and I’m
Having great difficulty getting kumquats- fresh or frozen. Can you
Help?
thanks for the info, it’s been a great help. i’d like to find out how long it would take for all the above seeds to germinate. do you perhaps know how i can find out without having to research them all individually?
Kind regards,
Fiona
Good day, we are planning to produce vegetables of about 30ha in the Prince Albert region! “Retail” offset will be nice so if anyone is interrested in buying bulk then let me know! We will plant what you need!
A great site, very useful! I wanted to let you know we have a lime farm near Paarl and we have grade A limes (min 6kgs) and lesser grade for juicing. We are trying to supply into non seasonal months and staedy the often massivly fluctuating prices!
We will produce around 20 tonnes this season and doubling that in 2012. We currently have customers on the markets and in the restaurant trade in Cape Town and around the Southern suburbs drop me a line with any inquiries.
Thanks
Josh (The Limey)
Hello Josh, please let me have your details as I require limes…thanx
Hello, I am farming garlic, so if anyone is interested please do contact me for fresh garlic from the Robertson area, can be delivered to Cape Town if large quantities are ordered. thank you
Hi David, I’d like to chat to you about garlic. I see you posted a while back but if you want to chat about garlic plz get in touch w me at ninz1982@gmail.com
Thanks so much!
Hi, is this offer still standing? We seek urgently 21 tons of white garlic a week for export. Minimum 21 ton. Or do you know were we can find some?Thanks a lot
Hello David,
I’ve seen you posted a while back at. I’m interested in Garlic in Large quantities. Can you please write me at simon.jakes5@gmail.com
Hi is there anyone that can help me I’m looking to buy bulk grapes and other fruit plz let me know
Epping market in Cape Town for non organic.
If you need organic you will need to do more homework, you can try Naturally Organic in Philippi agricultural area though, they might be able to help with some fruit.
Epping market, Cape Town for all bulk fruit and veg
Hi im in the Western Cape and would really love to purchase some loquats do you stock them? Thanks
Alison
Sorry we dont Alison, we make raw food health snacks.
Dear Sir/Madam
Are you exporting vegetables and fruits to Namibia?
Best regards,
Willem
Windhoek
Namibia
Mobile: +264 81 2287474
Hi Willem, Sorry we dont deal in fresh produce at all, we manufacture raw food snack products. For wholesale fruit and veg you can try Golden Harvest at epping market, Cape town. They are not organic though.
Hope that helps!
Hi, I would so much like a list of different vegetable as to when they must be planted in the Western Cape. As I want to start my own vegetable garden.
Would be most grateful if you could help me with this and send me a list of the planting times for every month .
Thanks,
Estelle.
You can try here Estelle: http://www.organicseed.co.za/content/13-sa-planting-calendars
This is great; do you have a similar info list on seasonal planting for Western Cape so you know when to plant what so its ready for seasonal eating?
This should help Jill: http://www.organicseed.co.za/content/13-sa-planting-calendars
I am looking for fresh horse radish in the somerset west area. Any suggestions where I can purchase?
Mmm, tricky! You will most likely have to try epping market in CT
Planting calendars can be found here, according to your climate: http://www.organicseed.co.za/content/13-sa-planting-calendars
Hi there
Can you steer us in the direction of finding Daikon?
Seeds here: http://www.organicseed.co.za
Fresh: try the Chinese supermarkets, the one at N1 city, Cape Town, usually has it
Hi
Any idea where I can purchase asparagus plants. Looking to plant some in my garden as they are a great cut, and come-back plant. The closest my local garden centre came was the indoor-type, which cannot be eaten.
Regards
Geraldine
Not sure, I would email some of the organic seed suppliers and ask them, they may sell crowns.
Asparagus: did you find asoaragus crowns? I am searching for some, but the country seems to have few selkets. Thank you for sharing relevant , useful info. Herbertsdale
Asparagus: did you find asparagus crowns? I am searching for some now (2023), but the country seems to have few sellers. Thank you for sharing relevant , useful info. Herbertsdale
Living seeds did have some…
WHAT HERBS CAN I PLANT NOW IN FULL SHADE IN CAPE TOWN IT UNDER
Andre, you can look here for ideas: http://www.organicseed.co.za/content/13-sa-planting-calendars
Will you please send me the list of fruit & vegetable harvesting times in the Western Cape?
This is it! See above
Hi
Silly question but just to confirm.
Is this chart planting seeds or seedlings?
Leanne
Not a planting guide, this list is to indicate harvesting times.
Hi
I am looking for Parsnips to buy bulk about 400kg per week.
Are you maybe interested in Amadumbe for crisps chips.
Please assist
Please try Epping market, we dont sell fresh veg