Hello, September! There's nothing like that first crisp morning to remind you fall is on its way — and with it comes one of my favorite harvest windows of the year. Before we get into all things seasonal produce, let me catch you up on our August.

What we've been up to

August was all about transitions in our house. My youngest, Amber (15), traded in her summer softball gear for her hockey gear — pucks, early morning practices, and all. Meanwhile, my two oldest, Brooke (19) and Sierra (21), headed back to college and have jumped straight into their college fastpitch seasons.

And through it all, we've had a happy little shadow underfoot: Phoebe, our 6-month-old puppy, is settling into our routines beautifully and is finally getting the hang of walking on a leash. Every stage feels like a small victory these days!

Busy season or not, a good salad always finds its way onto my table — and the haul from farmers' markets in September will that easier than ever.

What's fresh at the Farmers' Market this month

September sits right at that sweet spot between summer and fall, so your local market stalls should be overflowing with a little bit of both.

Keep an eye out for:

Fruits: apples, pears, grapes, cranberries, pomegranates, blueberries, and mandarin oranges

Vegetables: butternut squash, sweet potatoes, beets, kale and spinach, green beans, and broccoli & cauliflower

Buying what's in season at your local market means fresher flavor, a lower grocery bill, and produce that hasn't traveled thousands of miles to get to your plate. Win, win, win.

25 Salads to make with September's harvest

I've rounded up a full guide of salads built around everything on that list above — from bright, fruity greens to hearty roasted-veggie bowls.

Here's a few of my favorites to get you started:

• ​Blueberry, Apple, Cranberry and Kale Salad — kale, apples, blueberries, bacon, and goat cheese with balsamic vinaigrette
• ​Roasted Butternut Squash Salad — apple cider vinaigrette, toasted walnuts, and cranberries
• ​Harvest Quinoa Salad — roasted sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, apple, spinach, and quinoa
• ​Pear Salad with Gorgonzola Dressing — pear, honey-roasted pecans, pomegranate seeds, and gorgonzola
• ​Apple Cabbage Coleslaw — a crisp, colorful twist on classic slaw for your fall gatherings

You'll find the full list of 25 recipes — plus the complete rundown of September's best produce — right here:

👉 25 Wonderful Salads to Celebrate September's Harvest​

Grab your basket, hit up your local farmers' market, and let September's harvest inspire your next salad. Here's to a season full of good food and (in my case) a little less chaos on the family calendar!

Happy September!