Root Vegetables
Root vegetables are a Victorian winter classic. From hearty soups and roasts to elegant purees and broths, they offer depth, sweetness and earthy tones during the cooler months.
Expect the best carrots, parsnips, beetroot and potatoes from May through September, when local supply is at its freshest and most affordable. If you’re after colour and character, heirloom options like white carrots, golden beetroot, and Dutch baby carrots can really elevate your plate.
Peak Season: May to September
Common & readily available varieties: Carrots (orange & purple), parsnips, beetroot, onions
Specialty Varieties: White carrots, golden beetroot, Jerusalem artichokes, Dutch baby carrots
Off Season: Available year-round; quality and flavour may decline if cold-stored for too long
Storage tips: Store in a dark, cool space. If refrigeration is necessary, wrap in paper towel to manage moisture and prevent rot.
| ROOT VEGETABLES | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrots – Orange | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Carrots – Purple | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Beetroot – Red | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK |
| Beetroot – Golden | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK |
| Parsnip | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Turnip | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Swede (Rutabaga) | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Radish – Red | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Radish – Watermelon | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟠 OK |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Jerusalem Artichoke | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Yam / Oca | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Sweet Potato / Kumara | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Leeks | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Daikon | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| Red Onions | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Brown Onions | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Garlic | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🟡 Good | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Ginger | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🟢 Best Quality, Stable Price & Locally-Grown
Peak-season local produce at its freshest and most affordable. Excellent flavour, long shelf life, and reliable availability. Ideal for premium menus and consistent plating.
🟡 Good Quality, Variable Price
Often sourced from interstate. Still high quality, but pricing can shift depending on supply volumes and freight. A solid option with manageable cost.
🟠 OK - Variable Quality, Volatile Pricing
Typically freighted from distant states (QLD, WA or NT). Quality may be inconsistent, and pricing often fluctuates based on weather, fuel, and logistics. Use with caution in cost-sensitive menus.
🔴 Poor - Limited Supply, High Cost, and Imported
Availability is low or highly unpredictable. Often imported from overseas, resulting in shorter shelf life, lower flavour, and premium pricing. Suitable only for specialised or non-negotiable menu items.