May brings the full arrival of spring across Canada, with asparagus hitting peak season, strawberries making their debut, and fiddleheads and rhubarb still available in many regions. Greenhouse produce expands options while storage crops provide hearty staples during this abundant transition month.
Availability varies significantly by province, weather, and year. What you see in a BC greenhouse may differ from an Atlantic market or Ontario grocery store. Use our What’s in Season chart as a general guide, and check your local grocer and farmers’ market for specifics in your region.
Fresh in May (Peak Spring Crops)
These local field, early greenhouse, or wild-foraged crops define May’s bounty:
- Asparagus: Peak May–June across Ontario, Quebec, and BC. Look for firm, vibrant spears—thinner ones cook faster. What’s in Season? Asparagus
- Fiddleheads (ostrich fern fronds): Late April–early June near rivers/streams in New Brunswick, PEI, southern Quebec, southern Ontario, and BC. Select only the ostrich fern (brown papery scales, U-shaped groove on stem). Do not eat raw—boil/steam 10–15 min first to reduce foodborne illness risk. What’s in Season? Fiddleheads
- Rhubarb (field-grown): May–August; thicker stalks and darker green leaves because it is exposed to sunshine. Leaves are inedible; use stalks only. What’s in Season? Rhubarb
- Strawberries (early varieties): Late May–June start in Ontario, Quebec, and BC (Fraser Valley); field-grown replaces greenhouse. What’s in Season? Strawberries
Fresh in May (Greenhouse)
Greenhouse-Grown (year-round availability):
- Bell peppers: Year-round. What’s in Season? Bell Peppers (Field and Greenhouse)
- Cucumbers: Year-round. What’s in Season? Cucumbers
- Eggplant: What’s in Season? Eggplant
- Lettuce: Year-round. What’s in Season? Lettuce
- Mushrooms: Year-yound. What’s in Season? Mushrooms
- Tomatoes: Year-round. What’s in Season? Tomatoes (Field and Greenhouse)
- Strawberries: Year-round supplement. Strawberries (greenhouse, year-round)
Available in May (Peak Storage)
- Apples (deep storage): September–April from Ontario (Niagara), BC (Okanagan), Quebec, Atlantic; Empire, Idared, Cortland excellent long-keepers. What’s in Season? Apples
- Carrots: Year-round storage freshness. What’s in Season? Carrots
- Cabbage: November–April storage. What’s in Season? Cabbage
- Dry Onions: Year-round storage. What’s in Season? Dry Onions
- Potatoes: Year-round storage. What’s in Season? Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes: Year-round storage. What’s in Season? Sweet Potatoes
