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Spring Debuts of Summer Crops Raise Hope for Bumper Season
- Bob Benenson
- 57 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Fan Favorites Like Raspberries, Summer Squash, English Peas Join Lineup
Given how precarious spring weather can be in the Chicago foodshed, the early months of the outdoor growing season can vary greatly from year to year. But as we enter the last full week of spring 2026 — summer arrives next Sunday (June 21) — we can declare that the season so far has been very good.
Favorite spring crops, such as asparagus and strawberries, arrived early and have lasted long. And my visit to Green City Market in Lincoln Park on Saturday (June 13) gave a strong indication that this trend is continuing into the start of summer.
First sightings for this season included summer squash (like those beautifully arrayed at the stand of Nichols Farm and Orchard of Marengo, Illinois in the photo above)...
... red raspberries (these from Mick Klug Farm of St. Joseph, Michigan)...
....Rainier cherries (Hillside Orchards, Berrien Springs, Michigan)...
... and English shelling peas (from Nichols).
Our markets also have taken on that "eat the rainbow" blast of colors that make peak farmers markets so aesthetic (and a joy for photographers).
Heirloom tomatoes (Iron Creek Organic Farm, La Porte Indiana)
Nichols Farm and Orchard's thoughtfully designed tomato displays.
And my market haul: sugar snap peas, first of season zucchini, English shelling peas and green garlic (nearing the end of its season) from Nichols; strawberries, first of season raspberries and asparagus from Mick Klug Farm; SunGold cherry tomatoes from Wholesome Harvest (Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin); and heirloom tomatoes from Iron Creek Organic Farm.
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