Frugal Tip: Buy Produce in Season

New coupon users often wonder how they can create healthy meals on a lean budget when there are rarely any produce coupons offered. Although it is true that you are saving lots of money on your grocery bill, so you can afford to add a bit of fresh produce to your list without too much guilt. For the serious frugal shopper, it is sometimes mentally difficult to pay full price for... well, anything. If you buy fresh produce in season, you will save a lot money. If you need a fruit or vegetable that is not in season, consider buying it frozen or canned.

Here is a list of produce and when they are in season. If you want to buy fresh produce, chances are that if you purchase the vegetables and fruit that are in season, you'll end-up paying a lot less.

• January:
  oranges
  grapefruit
  lemons
  tangerines and tangelos
  lemons
  papayas
  cabbage
  leeks
  broccoli
  cauliflower
• February:
  same citrus fruits as above
  papayas
  broccoli
  cauliflower
• March:
  pineapples
  mangoes
  broccoli
  lettuce
• April:
  (Same as March)
  zucchini
  rhubarb
  artichokes
  asparagus
  spring peas
• May:
  (Same vegetables as listed in April)
  pineapples
  cherries
  apricots
  okra
• June:
  watermelon
  strawberries
  cantaloupe
  cherries
  blueberries
  peaches
  apricots
  corn
  lettuce
• July:
  watermelon
  strawberries
  cantaloupe
  berries
  peaches
  apricots
  kiwi
  raspberries
  plums
  cucumbers
  tomatoes
  summer squash
  corn
  green beans
  lettuce
• August:
  Same as July
  eggplant
• September:
  grapes
  pomegranates
  persimmons
  eggplants
  pumpkins
  tomatoes
  spinach
  lettuce
• October:
  cranberries
  apples
  pomegranates
  persimmons
  pumpkins
• November:
  Same as October excluding apples
  oranges
  tangerines
  pears
  winter squash
  sweet potatoes
  broccoli
  mushrooms
  spinach
• December:
  pears
  oranges
  tangelos
  grapefruit
  tangerines
  papayas
  pomegranates
  sweet potatoes
  mushrooms
  broccoli
  cauliflower
• Always "in season": potatoes, bananas, celery