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Plainly Fruitful: Tree Fruit Started Shedding Grace for July 4 Weekend

  • Writer: Bob Benenson
    Bob Benenson
  • Jul 6
  • 2 min read

First Sighting of Apricots and Plums, With Much More to Come


Sweet cherries and first of season plums at a Chicago farmers market. Sunlit produce on a white tablecloth, creating a fresh, vibrant display.
First of the season plums at the stand of Ellis Family Farms (Benton Harbor, Michigan) at Chicago's Green City Market Lincoln Park on July 5, 2025. Photo by Bob Benenson

June brightened Chicago region farmers markets with the arrival of raspberries, blueberries and cherries, even as the early-arriving strawberries enjoyed a long season.


The July 4th weekend gave proof that the tree fruit season has arrived, and it's off to a lovely start. Above is a photo of my first plum sighting, at the stand of Ellis Family Farms (Benton Harbor, Michigan) at Green City Market's Lincoln Park location on July 5.


First of season apricot at a Chicago farmers market.
First of the season apricots at the stand of Mick Klug Farms (St. Joseph, Michigan) on July 5, 2025 at Chicago's Green City Market Lincoln Park. Photo by Bob Benenson

There also these brilliantly colored apricots from Mick Klug Farms, which is located not far from Ellis in St. Joseph, Michigan. Big and, having sampled a ripe one when I got home, deliciously juicy. Apricots don't have one of the longest growing seasons, so get them while you can.


Chicago farmers market scene with bins of new potatoes, bell peppers, and eggplants
First of season eggplant and bell peppers at the stand of Nichols Farm and Orchard (Marengo, Illinois) at Chicago's Green City Market, July 5, 2025. Photo by Bob Benenson

Of course, it's not just new-in-season fruit arriving at area markets. The stand of Nichols Farm and Orchard (Marengo, Illinois) had the first eggplant and bell peppers of the season. Time to get out that ratatouille recipe, with all the ingredients now available from our local farms.


A shopping haul from an early July Chicago farmers market includes a variety of fruits and vegetables: tomatoes, potatoes, apricots, blueberries, plums and cherries.
Photo by Bob Benenson

My market haul: from Nichols, red new potatoes and hothouse heirloom tomatoes; from Mick Klug, apricots and blueberries; and from Ellis, plums and sweet cherries.


Tempted to get to a market? (That's kind of the whole point...) Click the button below to access Local Food Forum's Farmers Market Tracker and make your plans.



A separate article will show off what early July looks like at Just Roots farm on Chicago's South Side, with a mighty green CSA haul.


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