What’s in season?

March 2008
Jerusalem artichokes, asparagus, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, garlic, leeks, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, main crop potatoes, purple sprouting broccoli, radishes, rhubarb, sorrel, spring greens and swede

April 2008
Jerusalem artichokes, asparagus, broad beans, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kale, leeks, mushrooms, spring onions, main crop potatoes, purple sprouting broccoli, rhubarb and spring greens

Sowing Now
Many vegetable crops can be sown in March, especially if it’s mild; broad beans, carrots, parsnips, beetroot, bulb onions, lettuces, radish, peas, spinach, summer cabbage, salad leaves, leeks, Swiss chard, kohl rabi, turnip and summer cauliflower. Be guided by the weather, and sow only if conditions are suitable.

If you have a slug problem (most people in Manchester do!) sow into small pots indoors and plant out when several inches high - your crops may then have a fighting chance. Sweet peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines, celery, salads and globe artichokes can all be sown in a frost-free greenhouse or on warm window sills.

In April sow beetroot, carrots, Swiss chard, summer cauliflower, kohl rabi, lettuce, leeks, radish, turnip, spring and pickling onions, peas and perpetual spinach in wellprepared soil (anything from the March list if you haven’t already done so). Again, if the weather is nice and you have a green house you could get a head start on courgettes, beans and sweetcorn.

And how about a seasonal recipe to round things off?

Stir-Fried Greens with Ginger and Garlic

Ingredients
A bunch of spring greens
1 onion, finely chopped
Oil or butter to cook
1 clove of garlic, crushed
Fresh ginger
Shoyu or tamari
Sesame seeds

Method
Wash the spring greens, trim the ends off the tough stalks and shred finely. Heat a little oil in a wok or frying pan and fry the onion until soft. Add the ginger and garlic and fry for a couple of minutes. Add the greens and cook quickly until tender. Season with shoyu or tamari and sprinkle with sesame seeds to serve.

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