Some organic ‘What’s in Season’ tips from Brisbane’s United Organics for June.
What’s Growing, What’s Slowing in June 2020
Briefly, everything vegetable is slowing. With record low temperatures hard on the heels of a buying boom, expect pretty much everything to be short in June. Our vegetable growers have been warning us that they picked early to satisfy the demand produced by COVID-19. The downside of early harvesting is the lull it creates in supply whilst we wait for the produce to catch up. With the low temperatures; production won’t be catching up anytime soon.
So having established the conditions, let’s have at it.
Organic Fruit
No real change from last month, a lot of fruit crops get harvested early so we won’t see the shortage in supply like we will with vegetables.
Apples for June are mid-season and plentiful, expect all varieties; Granny’s, Gala’s, Fuji’s, Pinks and Sundowners. Queensland Hass Avocados have started and will be on for a couple of months. Expect Wurtz, Reed and Sharwill varieties to put in the odd appearance. Bananas were in short supply last month but quantities are increasing so we are looking at full supply in June.
Pears, like apples, are plentiful and available in multiple varieties. Grapes are shortening up and will be finished mid-June. Watermelon and Rockmelon are coming down from far North Queensland. Blueberries have just started and are expensive, prices will drop as the month progresses. Queensland strawberries should be in full swing by mid-June.
Good news for citrus; Navels are back on, as are Mandarins, Pink Grapefruit, Limes and Lemons both Meyer and Eureka. Citrus will be constant for the whole month of June. Kiwi Fruit from Central NSW is in good supply.
Organic Vegetables
At this time of year we have multiple regions producing so usually we are spoilt for quantity and variety. This year, we still have the variety but supply will be spotty.
All of the Brassicas are on and all in reasonable supply with the exception of Kale, supply was expected to improve but the cold snap may delay that. Prices are still quite high on Broccoli and Cauliflowers but quality is good. Beetroot is plentiful and being produced in Queensland as well as down south. Carrots are in adequate supply and prices high. Lots of Cucumbers around Lebanese and Green, Fennel, Leeks and Silverbeet are all on. Onion supply is shifting from the southern states to Queensland, note Queensland onions due to the variety, usually have softer skins than their Victorian relatives.
All salads are being produced in multiple regions, perfect conditions for growing salads in Queensland, just sub optimal for eating salads when it’s cold. Potatoes and Pumpkin are in good supply, Pumpkin prices are a little higher this year with volumes meeting, rather than exceeding demand. Lots of Potato varieties to choose from with product coming out of three states at the moment, look out for Kipfler, Dutch, Pontiac, Nicola and Sebago. Snow Peas, Shelling Peas and Golden Eschallots are in the market.
Good supply also of Zucchini, Sweet Corn, Gold Squash, Eggplant and Sweet Potato.
Tomatoes are short this year with a couple of growers pulling out of the market.
Enjoy the cooler weather this month and remember to eat all of your colours.
The Team from United Organics
