Know your seasons and your produce
Our guide to what produce is at its best when will help you plan great tasting and great value menus. The product list below also highlights UK produce so you can promote local provenance.
Start of Season
| Artichoke, Globe | Sourced from across the UK and France |
| Savoy Cabbage | Start of the UK season |
| Hispi Cabbage | Beautifully-flavoured, in limited supply from Portugal |
| Potatoes, Jersey | Weather dependent – but should be available by mid-month |
| Rhubarb | Field grown – mid-month from Lancashire |
| Wild Garlic | Locally foraged by Herbs Unlimited, available until April |
Still in Season
Artichoke, Jerusalem Good sized ones available from the UK Beetroot Good bunched and loose beetroot from Evesham or Yorkshire Carrots, loose Hydro-cooled and strawed carrots from Lancashire and Scotland Chantenay Carrots Nottinghamshire washed sweet baby carrots picked up daily Cauliflower French supply available now – English at the end of the month Celeriac Available from our Evesham growers or French suppliers Curly Kale Lancashire grown kale in good supply Leeks UK leeks superb from Lancashire, Askem farmer Onions English and Spanish available – all sizes – beautiful flavour, set skin Parsnips Yorkshire parsnips, good availability Potatoes, main crop Most varieties available but Sagitta are the best roasters Purple Sprouting
Broccoli Very weather dependent Red Cabbage Sweet Lincolnshire available, generally smaller than foreign Salsify Ugly winter vegetable, easy to prep and cook – very tasty Savoy Cabbage Usually French now Spring Green
Cabbage Great quality new season from Lancashire Swede Some great Scottish swede in good supply Tenderstem Broccoli Full daily requirement of vitamin C
End of Season
Cavalo Nero UK season over but Italian available Rhubarb, Yorkshire Forced rhubarb – now finished
| Artichoke, Jerusalem | Good sized ones available from the UK |
| Beetroot | Good bunched and loose beetroot from Evesham or Yorkshire |
| Carrots, loose | Hydro-cooled and strawed carrots from Lancashire and Scotland |
| Chantenay Carrots | Nottinghamshire washed sweet baby carrots picked up daily |
| Cauliflower | French supply available now – English at the end of the month |
| Celeriac | Available from our Evesham growers or French suppliers |
| Curly Kale | Lancashire grown kale in good supply |
| Leeks | UK leeks superb from Lancashire, Askem farmer |
| Onions | English and Spanish available – all sizes – beautiful flavour, set skin |
| Parsnips | Yorkshire parsnips, good availability |
| Potatoes, main crop | Most varieties available but Sagitta are the best roasters |
| Purple Sprouting Broccoli | Very weather dependent |
| Red Cabbage | Sweet Lincolnshire available, generally smaller than foreign |
| Salsify | Ugly winter vegetable, easy to prep and cook – very tasty |
| Savoy Cabbage | Usually French now |
| Spring Green Cabbage | Great quality new season from Lancashire |
| Swede | Some great Scottish swede in good supply |
| Tenderstem Broccoli | Full daily requirement of vitamin C |
End of Season
| Cavalo Nero | UK season over but Italian available |
| Rhubarb, Yorkshire | Forced rhubarb – now finished |
Start of Season
| Asparagus | English asparagus season 6-8 weeks starts at the end of April |
| Chard | Swiss and Rainbow varieties available from our grower in Evesham |
| Melons | Cantaloupe/Galia/Honeydew. Prices will fall as northern hemisphere season begins |
| Potatoes New | Expensive to start, Jersey Royals from Cornwall; Cheshire supplies by month end |
| Strawberries | Dutch new season, limited English |
Still in Season
| Beetroot | Good bunched and loose UK beetroot available |
| Cauliflower | Good UK supply and French if poor weather causes delays |
| Celeriac | Available from our Evesham growers or our Dutch suppliers |
| Onions | A beautiful favoured set skin, available in small, medium and large |
| Rhubarb | Loads of supply from Yorkshire & Lancashire |
| Red Cabbage | English is smaller than Dutch, and beautifully sweet |
| Spring Green Cabbage | From our growers in Lancashire |
| Swede | Scottish grown swede still going strong |
| White Cabbage | Smaller heads than Dutch, good quality from Lincolnshire |
End of Season
| Carrots | Last month of UK supply – European supplies available for 6-8 weeks |
| Leeks | UK leeks finish this month, but French and Belgium are still available |
| Parsnips | UK product finished |
| Salsify | Once a European crop, now grown in the UK |
| Savoy Cabbage | English season over – French supply available for 6-8 weeks |
| Tenderstem Broccoli | End of UK supply, but Kenyan suppliers are still available |
| Turnips | Grown outdoors |
| Wild Garlic | Ends this month but weather dependent |
Start of Season
| Apricot | Start of the northern hemisphere season |
| Bok Choi | Lancashire grown |
| Broad Beans | UK season starts at the end of the month |
| Cucumbers | English grown now in season |
| Easy Peel varieties | Southern hemisphere variety starts |
| Lettuce, English | Supply of Lancashire lettuces begins, runs May-November |
| Peas (fresh) | UK and Italian – cook now as season is short |
| Peppers | Dutch produce replaces Spanish ones |
| Spinach | UK baby and long leaf available until October |
| Tomatoes | Dutch produce to replace Spanish |
Still in Season
| Asparagus, English | Sourced from farms in Yorkshire |
| Beetroot | Good bunched and loose UK grown |
| Cauliflower | Direct supply from Lancashire, getting bigger as the weather gets better |
| Celeriac | Good quality UK and Dutch supply |
| Onions | Beautiful favoured set skin, available in all sizes |
| Potatoes, new | Potatoes new and boxed Mids from Israel, Jersey Royals |
| Red Cabbage | Prices increase as UK’s old season ends and new one begins |
| Spring Green | Beautiful loose leafy heads, dark green Lancashire-grown |
End of Season
| Artichoke, Globe | Popular product sourced from across the UK |
| Chantenay Carrots | UK supply ending and quality variable – Israeli substitute |
| Leeks | UK supply ends for 2 months, but Dutch, French and Belgian available |
| Potatoes, main crop | Supplies finishing soon, so expect size and price issues |
| Purple Sprouting Broccoli | Finished until September |
| Swede | UK season ends, all supplies coming from storage for 6-8 weeks |
Start of Season
| Baby Beetroot | Start of the UK season |
| Blueberries | Start of the UK season – weather permitting |
| Broccoli | Start of season for Lancashire produce – Farrington produce farmer |
| Cavolo Nero | UK supply available again |
| Courgette | Start of the UK season – from from Evesham & Yorkshire |
| Gooseberries | Short season – from Evesham & Yorkshire |
| Kohlrabi | Start of UK season |
| Nectarine | Start of northern hemisphere season |
| Peaches | Spanish season starts – tastes of summer |
| Plums | Start of northern hemisphere season |
| Raspberries | Start of UK supply – weather permitting |
| Romanesque | Start of UK season – weather permitting |
| Redcurrants/ whitecurrants | UK supply – short season |
| Savoy Cabbage | Start of the UK season – small sizes now |
| Sugar Snaps | UK supply |
| Runner Beans | UK season – starts at month end |
Still in Season
| Beetroot | Good bunched and loose UK beetroot |
| Bok Choi | Good for stir fries and summer dishes |
| Broad Beans | Good availability for next 4 months |
| Cauliflower | Lancashire grown available |
| Celeriac | Year round supply from UK and Holland |
| Lettuce, English | Great supplies – Lollo Rosso, Lollo Biondi, Flat, Little Gem & Cos – direct supply |
| Onions | Beautiful favour set skin – all sizes |
| Potatoes, New | Wide variety available – new harvest Maris Piper at its best |
| Peas | Available until September |
| Red Cabbage | Sweet UK grown – smaller sizes |
| Rhubarb | Outdoor grown UK |
| Strawberries | Beautiful UK grown |
| Spring Green Cabbage | Dark green leaves – Lancashire grower |
End of Season
| Asparagus | Last month of UK supplies |
Start of Season
| Carrots | UK season – begins month end |
| Cherries | UK short season starts |
| Corn on Cob | UK season starts – available for 3 months |
| Curly Kale | UK supplies restart after 2 month break |
| Fennel | UK grown fennel available |
| Leeks | UK leek season starts – good supply from Lancashire |
| Marrow | UK marrow season starts |
| Red Kale | Beautiful Lancashire produce available now |
| Salads, English | UK tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers – available until October, weather permitting |
| Swede | UK season starts – available year round |
| Tenderstem Broccoli | More elegant than normal florets, Lancashire |
| White Cabbage | New season starts at month end |
Still in Season
| Bok Choi | Good UK grown |
| Broad Beans | UK supply available until September |
| Broccoli | Fabulous iced UK produce |
| Cauliflower | Summer crop available – smaller sizes |
| Cavolo Nero | Available for the months ahead |
| Chard | Supply good until autumn |
| Lettuce, English | UK supply available |
| Marrow | Supply available until October |
| Onions | Beautiful favoured set skin – all sizes available |
| Peas | Available until September |
| Potatoes, New | Second earlies/main crop starting |
| Raspberries | Great tasting Evesham, Lancashire & Yorkshire |
| Red Cabbage | Sourced from Lancashire |
| Rhubarb | Field varieties now in abundance |
| Runner Beans | Lancashire grown |
| Savoy Cabbage | Sourced from Lancashire & Yorkshire |
| Spring Green | Good dark green leaves |
| Cabbage | Sourced from Lancashire & Yorkshire |
| Strawberries | Beautiful Yorkshire Elsanta variety |
| Watercress | Lancashire and Yorkshire available |
End of Season
| Gooseberries | UK season over |
| Kohlrabi | White or pale green varieties available |
| Redcurrants | UK season over – Dutch available |
Start of Season
| Apples, English | Russet, Katy and Discovery available |
| Bramley Apples | UK grown and bursting with flavour |
| Chantenay Carrots | UK supply begins – now until next May |
| Plums | Good supply of English varieties like Czar; Victoria season is short |
| Purple Sprouting Broccoli | UK product excellent – weather permitting |
Still in Season
| Beetroot | Red, Golden/Candy striped, bunched and loose |
| Broad Beans | UK grown – available until September |
| Broccoli | Great tasting Lincolnshire and Lancashire product |
| Carrots | UK season in full swing – large sizes available |
| Cauliflower | Local supplies plus Lincolnshire |
| Cavolo Nero | UK supply now at its best |
| Chard | Evesham grown chard in good supply |
| Corn on Cob | UK supply now at its best |
| Courgette | UK season continues |
| Curly Kale | Good local supplies from Lancashire |
| Fennel | Fresh from Lancashire |
| Lettuce, English | Lancashire available |
| Onions | English and Spanish beautiful favoured set skin – all sizes |
| Peas | UK supply sourced from Yorkshire |
| Potatoes, New | Varieties available but Pink Fir Apple and Ratte are exceptional |
| Red Cabbage | Great tasting Lancashire product still in supply |
| Red Kale | A tender alternative to the green version |
| Rhubarb | Outdoor grown rhubarb in good supply |
| Romanesque | Now at its best |
| Salads, English | Tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers around until October |
| Runner Beans | Stunning UK and local beans available |
| Spring Green Cabbage | Pre-packed for freshness |
| Squash | UK squash season starts |
| Strawberries | Beautiful UK Elsanta variety |
| Swede | Scottish grown – great taste |
| Tenderstem Broccoli | A versatile vegetable that can be cooked in minutes |
Start of Season
| Cob Nuts | Short season – now available for a few weeks |
| Kohlrabi | Relation to the cabbage family |
| Mushrooms, Wild | UK sourced wild mushrooms available |
| Pears | UK pear season starts |
| Potatoes | Good seasonal varieties – Estima and Marfona |
| Pumpkin | UK pumpkin season starts |
| Squash | Several varieties available this month |
Still in Season
| Apples | English apples at their best – many varieties available |
| Beetroot | Good UK bunched, baby and loose |
| Broccoli | English grown in good supply |
| Carrots, bunch | Locally grown |
| Carrots | UK season in full flow |
| Cauliflower | UK winter cauliflower season – bigger and better value |
| Cavolo Nero | Good availability |
| Celeriac | Year round supply |
| Chantenay Carrots | Small and sweet |
| Curly Kale | Full of fibre and vitamins – good value |
| Leeks | UK leeks good supply from Northern producers |
| Lettuce, English | Local still available |
| Marrow | Good produce from UK growers |
| Parsnips | Yorkshire & Lancashire parsnips, good availability |
| Purple Sprouting Broccoli | Availability depends on weather |
| Raspberries | UK raspberries still available |
| Romanesque | UK grown – green variety available |
| Runner Beans | Good local supply |
| Salads | UK grown tomatoes/cucumbers/peppers available until October |
| Savoy Cabbage | Good supply of UK grown |
| Spring Green Cabbage | UK spring green available now |
| Swede | Sourced from Lancashire |
| Tenderstem Broccoli | Good UK product available |
End of Season
| Blackberries | End of UK fruits |
| Broad Beans | Still good quality – last month for local produce |
| Corn on Cob | Sun ripened, great flavour and value |
| Courgette | UK season ends – Spanish produce until next summer |
| Fennel | UK grown – Dutch also available |
| Peas | Final month for UK peas |
| Red Kale | UK almost finished |
| Rhubarb | UK field grown over – Dutch available but expensive |
| Strawberries | UK season ends – Dutch produce available |
| Victoria Plums | Last month for English plums |
Start of Season
| Artichokes, Jerusalem | English in season – French also available |
| Brussels Sprouts | Northern sprout season starts – loose and stalks |
| Cranberries | US grown available for next few months |
| Quince | Good sized fruits now available |
| Red Cabbage | Tender new UK crop available |
| Strawberries | Dutch season starts |
Still in Season
| Apples | Sweet English varieties in season now |
| Beetroot | UK bunched and loose |
| Carrots | Chantenay, bunched and loose – great UK produce |
| Cauliflower | Best value UK produce as season in full swing |
| Cavolo Nero | Excellent quality this month |
| Celeriac | Great flavour and value now |
| Kohlrabi | Cooked or raw this is great value |
| Leeks | Good supply from Lancashire, direct from farmer |
| Mushrooms, Wild | Cepes, Chanterelles, Blewitts and Horse in season |
| Onions | Beautifully favoured set skin – all sizes |
| Parsnips | Yorkshire parsnips, good availability |
| Potatoes | Sagitta – great quality – other varieties available |
| Purple Sprouting Broccoli | Available |
| Pumpkin | Good quality pumpkin – Halloween and cooking |
| Rhubarb | Dutch produce – good availability |
| Romanesque | UK available, weather permitting |
| Spring Green Cabbage | Good quality – pre-packed |
| Squash | Crown Prince, Onion Squash and Acorn Squash available |
| Swede | Good year round supply |
| Tenderstem Broccoli | English produce available |
End of Season
| Blueberries | Winter price increases start |
| Cucumber | Dutch season ends – Spanish produce available from November |
| Nectarine | End of the northern hemisphere varieties |
| Peaches | Quality is variable as season ends |
| Plum | Northern hemisphere varieties almost over |
| Raspberries | All produce from southern hemisphere now – as UK season ends |
| Strawberries | Dutch and Spanish varieties replace UK produce |
| Tomatoes | Spanish produce replaces Dutch as season ends in November |
Start of Season
| Cranberries | US fresh produce available until after Christmas |
| Easy Peel Oranges | Northern hemisphere season starts |
| Melons | Cantaloupe/ Galia/Honeydew. Southern hemisphere season starts – prices increase |
| Sprout Tops | Available from UK growers in the north |
Still in Season
| Apples | English available until January |
| Artichokes, Jerusalem | Good UK supply – France |
| Beetroot | UK grown – good bunched and loose |
| Brussels Sprouts | Great tasting produce from Lancashire |
| Carrots | UK grown – and Chantenay |
| Cauliflower | UK grown – great value |
| Cavolo Nero | More tender than kale and crisper than cabbage |
| Celeriac | Steam, roast or mash or served raw |
| Curly Kale | Great value – and trending |
| Kohlrabi | Serve raw or cooked |
| Parsnips | Yorkshire parsnips, good availability |
| Potatoes | Great varieties of UK main crop potatoes |
| Purple Sprouting Broccoli | UK availability depends on weather |
| Pumpkin | Available – but last month of supply |
| Quince | Good UK product – French also available |
| Red Cabbage | Good sizes and great value |
| Rhubarb | Imported product but good for autumnal dishes |
| Romanesque | Type of cauliflower at its best now |
| Savoy Cabbage | Classic – tasty and versatile |
| Spring Green Cabbage | Dark green, quality UK grown |
| Swede | Versatile – great for roasting, mashing, soups and stews |
| Tenderstem Broccoli | Tender and sweet |
End of Season
| Marrow | End of the UK season |
| Mushrooms, Wild | End of the UK season – European varieties available |
| Squash | End of UK season – Butternut and French pumpkins available |
Still in Season
| Apples | English available – Russets excellent |
| Artichokes, Jerusalem | Good sized artichokes from the UK |
| Beetroot | UK bunched and loose |
| Brussels Sprouts | Great UK supply |
| Carrots | UK supply from Lancashire and Chantenay |
| Cauliflower | Some UK supply – also French |
| Cavolo Nero | Available from now until March |
| Celeriac | Available from the Netherlands |
| Curly Kale | Locally grown kale available |
| Kohlrabi | Popular raw or cooked |
| Leeks | UK – good supply from Lancashire |
| Onions | Beautifully favoured set skin – available in all sizes |
| Parsnips | Great quality UK grown |
| Potatoes | Washed reds and whites in season |
| Purple Sprouting Broccoli | Availability not guaranteed |
| Red Cabbage | UK grown – great flavour and versatile cooked or raw |
| Swede | Scottish available – and local |
| Tenderstem Broccoli | UK – tender and tasty |
| Turnips | Traditional UK grown produce |
End of Season
| Celeriac | UK ends – Dutch supply available – add to mash |
| Sprout Tops | Available until just after Xmas |
Start of Season
| Purple Sprouting Broccoli | A welcome colour for winter plates |
| Rhubarb, Yorkshire | Tender Yorkshire forced rhubarb available mid month |
Still in Season
| Jerusalem Artichokes | Good sized UK artichokes |
| Beetroot | UK bunched and loose |
| Brussels Sprouts | Great UK supply |
| Carrots | Height of UK season – price depends on weather |
| Cavolo Nero | Great UK supply – Lincolnshire |
| Celeriac | Good all year round product |
| Curly Kale | Locally grown kale in good supply |
| Leeks | Good Lancashire produce available |
| Potatoes | Great varieties of mid potatoes available – Maris Piper |
| Purple Sprouting Broccoli | Available and great quality |
| Red Cabbage | Great value UK product and versatile |
| Savoy Cabbage | Fresh UK produce from Lincolnshire |
| Spring Green Cabbage | UK produce |
| Swede | Locally sourced, but Scottish available |
| Tenderstem Broccoli | Great UK alternative to Spanish broccoli |
End of Season
| Apples | English season ends – only Bramley & Cox available |
| Chestnuts | Short season – now over |
| Cranberries | Ends after Christmas |
| Kohlrabi | English season ends |
| Pears | English pear season ends this month |
| Quince | English quince supply finishes end of January |
Start of Season
| Blood Oranges | Imported – short but sweet season |
| Marmalade Oranges | Seville. Imported – brief winter season |
| Turnips | Fresh and tasty – great for a stew |
Still in Season
| Artichoke, Jerusalem | English in season – French also available |
| Beetroot | UK bunched and loose beetroot |
| Carrots | Local still available |
| Cauliflower | UK supply is good – European also available |
| Cavolo Nero | Great availability and versatility |
| Celeriac | Sweet when roasted |
| Chantenay Carrot | Cost effective and easy to prep |
| Curly Kale | Local source and harvested by hand |
| Leeks | UK leeks – good supply |
| Onions | Beautifully favoured set skin – all sizes |
| Parsnips | Great flavour |
| Potatoes | Jacket potatoes available now – good sizes |
| Purple Sprouting Broccoli | Crisp and fresh – good availability |
| Rhubarb, Yorkshire | Indoor grown – forced stems are sweet and tender |
| Savoy Cabbage | Great value |
| Spring Green Cabbage | Great value and versatile |
| Tenderstem Broccoli | UK grown – tender and tasty |
End of Season
| Brussels Sprouts | UK season finished until September |