Festival & harvest calendar
What is in season around Monticello and the Big Bend this fall, the holidays coming up, and a day-by-day plan so nothing sneaks up on you.
October 2026
In season now
Wild Gulf shrimp, the last green peanuts for boiling, pie pumpkins and winter squash at the farm stands, sweet potatoes, muscadines finishing up, and the first collards once nights dip below 60°F.
Dates to know
- Early October — Pumpkins arrive at roadside stands. Make the roasted pumpkin soup.
- October 15 — Florida stone crab season opens. A good week for Gulf seafood like the shrimp skillet.
- October 30 — Make Halloween Candy Bark so it can chill overnight.
- Saturday, October 31 — Halloween. Chili on the stove by 5 pm: Trick-or-Treat Beef & Bean Chili.
November 2026
In season now
New-crop pecans from the Red Hills orchards, the first satsumas and tangerines, sweet potatoes, turnips and mustard greens, and fresh sugar cane syrup from local boilings later in the month.
Dates to know
- November 6–7 — Make gulab jamun (they improve after a night in syrup) and shape samosas.
- Sunday, November 8 — Diwali. Fry the samosas fresh for guests.
- Saturday, November 21 — Move a frozen 12–14 lb turkey to the refrigerator to thaw.
- Monday, November 23 — Dry-brine the turkey: Dry-Brined Herb Butter Turkey with Pan Gravy.
- Tuesday, November 24 — Bake cornbread for dressing and leave it out to dry.
- Wednesday, November 25 — Pie day: pecan, sweet potato and pumpkin.
- Thursday, November 26 — Thanksgiving. Turkey in the oven about 4 hours before you want to eat.