June is the start of when you get the freshest produce in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Lancaster is the most productive non-irrigated farming county in the country, making it an amazing place to grow produce. As we continue into the month, you'll find more and more roadside stands popping up, and there are several farmers markets throughout the county offering local and fresh produce.
Ripening dates
Some of the vegetables and fruits currently in season in Lancaster, PA, include, but are not limited to:
Cabbage: Most active from June 10 - October 31
Peas: Most active from June 15 - June 25
Rhubarb: Most active in early June
Snap Beans: Most active from June 20 - July 20
Squash: Most active from June 25 - September 1
Spinach: Most active from May 5 - June 25
Cherries: Most active from June 10 - June 25
Strawberries: Most active from June 1 - June 10
A complete list, as well as places to pick-your-own produce, can be found on Pennsylvania Harvest Calendar. A quick note: The ripening dates can vary by a couple of weeks due to weather conditions, variety of the fruit or vegetable, geographical location of the farm, and other factors. If you're planning to visit a farm to pick your own produce, make sure to call in advance to check if the fruits or vegetables are ready.
Grow-your-own
The harvest season in Lancaster, PA is long. If you'd like to try growing your own food, it's not too late to start - you can still plant those seeds. The soil and climate in Lancaster make it doable for people without a background in agriculture to create their own vegetable garden right in their backyard.
I'm in my third year of growing food, and so far, it's been going well.
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