If you don’t have your own garden this is the month to visit your nearest Pick-your-own. They are mostly associated with strawberries, the season for which has been extended by growing them under cover in grow bags, but the true season for British strawberries, grown in open ground, begins in June. Peas and Broad Beans are often also available on a pick-your-own basis, although you are not always allowed near them until they have already grown too large to be good. Culinary gooseberries will also be available in June and make a wonderful sauce for Mackerel. Don’t forget that the young leaves of some fruits, particularly blackcurrants and peaches, can also be used to flavour custards, ice creams and sorbets before the fruit itself is ready.
In the garden | |
Fruit Strawberries Culinary Gooseberries Green Walnuts Blackcurrant or Peach Leaves Herbs Mint Lemon Verbena Thyme Tarragon Dill Parsley Rosemary Salads Lettuce Rocket Spring onions |
Vegetables Peas Broad Beans Spinach Carrots Vine Leaves Courgettes (late month) |
In the wild | |
Elderflower (early in month) Samphire |
Beasts of the Land | |
Meat & Game Lamb |
More |
Beasts of River and Sea | |
Fish Crab Mackerel Sea Trout Squid |