I paid $6 for a pint of strawberries in January once. They were white inside and tasted like water. The same pint was $1.99 in June and they were dark red all the way through and actually tasted like strawberries.

Eating seasonally is not a foodie trend — it is the single easiest way to spend less on produce and eat better at the same time. Here is how it works, month by month.

Why Seasonal Produce Costs Less

When something is in season, it is abundant. Farmers are harvesting it in volume and the supply chain is short. Strawberries in June might travel 50 miles from farm to store. Strawberries in January travel thousands of miles from South America or are grown in heated greenhouses. The transportation and energy costs show up in the price.

Seasonal produce also has a shorter shelf life once picked — it needs to sell fast — which means stores mark it down more aggressively.

What to Buy When

A rough seasonal guide for most of the US:

• Spring (March-May): Asparagus, peas, artichokes, radishes, strawberries, rhubarb
• Summer (June-August): Tomatoes, corn, peppers, zucchini, stone fruit (peaches, plums, cherries), melons, berries
• Fall (September-November): Apples, pears, winter squash, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, cauliflower
• Winter (December-February): Citrus (oranges, grapefruit, lemons), root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, beets), kale, cabbage

When you see something on this list at half its usual price, buy extra. Berries and stone fruit freeze well. Tomatoes can be canned or made into sauce. Winter squash lasts for months in a cool pantry.

The Farmers Market Edge

Farmers markets are not always cheaper than grocery stores for everything, but they are reliably cheaper for peak-season produce. Go 30 minutes before closing — farmers do not want to haul unsold produce back. You can often get bulk deals on a flat of tomatoes or a bushel of apples.

Ask what is at peak right now. Farmers love talking about what is good. That question has gotten me bags of free “seconds” — produce that tastes fine but has cosmetic blemishes stores will not accept.