Pick a month
What this solves
Restaurant menus in Switzerland don't always reflect the season. Travellers often eat asparagus in September because the menu lists it. The seasonal calendar fixes that — and adds the often-overlooked local rules (e.g. Spargeln / asparagus season starts in April only because the Swiss vegetable farmers insist).
How to read the results
- Peak = the month when the produce is most abundant and best quality.
- In season = still good, but past peak.
- Festival = a local market or event where the produce is celebrated.
What this tool ignores
- Climate change effects — apricot harvest is now ~2 weeks earlier than 30 years ago.
- Canton-by-canton variations — we use a national average.
Common questions
When are Swiss asparagus in season?
Mid-April to mid-June. The white asparagus (Spargeln) is more common than green in northern Switzerland. There are Spargel festivals in April–May (Erlach, Epesses).
What about game season?
Hunting season for chamois and ibex is September–November. Restaurants serve Hirsch (deer), Reh (roe deer), Gämse (chamois) from October to March. Steinbock (ibex) is rarely on menus and protected.
When are cherries in season?
Mid-June to end of July. The Basel region is famous for cherry season. Look for the "Kirschen" festival in Zug (June).