The warmer weather is making its return, and so are the area鈥檚 farmers markets. Here's what you can expect to find in season this month.
Stacey Carlberg, the farm manager at The Farm at Sunnyside, says this time of year people are pretty excited about spring radishes.
鈥淲e have these bright red cherriette radishes and a really beautiful mix called Easter egg radishes. 鈥楾is the season for the radishes,鈥� Carlberg said.
(草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)
草莓传媒/Rachel Nania
About 30 after the FRESHFARM Dupont farmers market opens, the morels under Spring Valley Farm and Orchard鈥檚 tent are gone.
鈥淵eah, they go real quick,鈥� farmworker Casey Feezle said about the prized mushrooms that cost about $20 for a small carton. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e like the big gold item because they only come this time of the year and we can鈥檛 cultivate them 鈥� they only grow wild,鈥� he added.
(草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)
草莓传媒/Rachel Nania
What are ramps? Feezle describes the wild vegetable as a cross between garlic and onion 鈥� only more powerful in flavor.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 cultivate them and we have to hunt for them in specific locations, like the north-facing side of slopes,鈥� Feezle said.
聽Because of this, they are only around for a limited time. Ramps are great grilled, pickled or sauteed with butter and olive oil.
(草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)
草莓传媒/Rachel Nania
At Bernard Boyle鈥檚 farm in Warsaw, Virginia, strawberry season started early. The first berry was picked on March 21.
鈥淸The warm winter] speeded it up a whole lot,鈥� said Boyle of Garner鈥檚 Produce.
Farmers throughout the mid-Atlantic region should have strawberries available through the end of the month.
(草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)
草莓传媒/Rachel Nania
Asparagus is a spring treat in the mid-Atlantic region. Expect to find the vegetable at the market throughout May.
(草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)
草莓传媒/Rachel Nania
Also in season are squash blossoms, or the blossoms that grow on the ends of zucchini and squash plants.
鈥淧eople like using them to stuff with goat cheese or to saute them or even fry them, so they鈥檙e a big spring item too,鈥� Feezle said.
(草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)
草莓传媒/Rachel Nania
True to its name, spring onions are in season at the farmers market.
(草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)
草莓传媒/Rachel Nania
The Farm at Sunnyside in Washington, Virginia, is welcoming crops of asparagus, snap peas and fava beans this month.
(草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)
草莓传媒/Rachel Nania
Cheese as a seasonal item? At Keswick Creamery, spring signals the return of the spreadable goats milk bovre.
(草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)
草莓传媒/Rachel Nania
Spring means asparagus at many local farms.
(草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)
草莓传媒/Rachel Nania
Throughout May, keep your eyes peeled for lettuces, spring onions, stinging nettles, cucumbers and tomatoes grown in high tunnels.
(草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)
草莓传媒/Rachel Nania
Throughout May, keep your eyes peeled for lettuces, spring onions, stinging nettles, cucumbers and tomatoes grown in high tunnels.
(草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)
草莓传媒/Rachel Nania
Throughout May, keep your eyes peeled for lettuces, spring onions, stinging nettles, cucumbers and tomatoes grown in high tunnels.
(草莓传媒/Rachel Nania)
April 27, 2026 | Spring is back and so are the farmers markets: Here's what's in season (草莓传媒's Rachel Nania)
WASHINGTON 鈥� By 8:15 on Sunday morning, 20th Street NW in Dupont Circle is anything but sleepy.
Fifteen minutes before the opening bell, a growing crowd of neighbors stroll in and out of the dozens of fully stocked stalls sandwiched between Massachusetts and Connecticut avenues to examine what farmers from Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania brought to the weekly 尘补谤办别迟.听
About 30 minutes later, the morels under Spring Valley Farm and Orchard鈥檚 tent are gone.
鈥淵eah, they go real quick,鈥� farmworker Casey Feezle said about the prized mushrooms that cost about $20 for a small carton. 聽
鈥淭hey鈥檙e like the big gold item because they only come this time of the year and we can鈥檛 cultivate them 鈥� they only grow wild,鈥� he added.
The warmer weather is making its return, and so are the area鈥檚 farmers markets. By May 17, all 14 of FRESHFARM鈥檚 markets will be up and running for the season, and those that operate year-round are getting a more robust selection of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Wondering what鈥檚 good at the market in May? Here鈥檚 what a few local farmers have to say:
Ramps
It鈥檚 hard to avoid the culinary industry鈥檚 all-consuming ramp craze. Come spring, restaurant menus are bursting with ramp pizzas, ramp pestos and ramp omelets.
What are ramps? Feezle describes the wild vegetable as a cross between garlic and onion 鈥� only more powerful in flavor.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 cultivate them and we have to hunt for them in specific locations, like the north-facing side of slopes,鈥� Feezle said.
Because of this, they are only around for a limited time. Ramps are great grilled, pickled or sauteed with butter and olive oil.
Squash blossoms
Also in season are squash blossoms, or the blossoms that grow on the ends of zucchini and squash plants.
鈥淧eople like using them to stuff with goat cheese or to saute them or even fry them, so they鈥檙e a big spring item too,鈥� Feezle said.
Strawberries
At Bernard Boyle鈥檚 farm in Warsaw, Virginia, strawberry season started early. The first berry was picked on March 21.
鈥淸The warm winter] speeded it up a whole lot,鈥� said Boyle of Garner鈥檚 Produce.
Farmers throughout the mid-Atlantic region should have strawberries available through the end of the month. 聽聽
Spring radishes, asparagus
Stacey Carlberg, the farm manager at The Farm at Sunnyside, says this time of year people are pretty excited about spring radishes.
鈥淲e have these bright red cherriette radishes and a really beautiful mix called Easter egg radishes. 鈥楾is the season for the radishes,鈥� Carlberg said.
She likes to eat them raw and recommends cutting them up into salads or sauteing them lightly and serving them as a side dish.
The Washington, Virginia, farm is also welcoming crops of asparagus, snap peas and fava beans this month.
鈥淭hose are definitely the spring treats,鈥� Carlberg added.
Other seasonal finds
Throughout May, keep your eyes peeled for lettuces, spring onions, stinging nettles, cucumbers and tomatoes grown in high tunnels.
