Yesterday we took a look at what food is in season right now, and explained how having a good general knowledge of what can be locally produced at any time of the year is key to successful planning of your plot.

Today we’re taking a look at the summer months from April through to September, which is traditionally a more fruitful time in the garden.

These notes are taken from Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management, which was written in a time before fridges and freezers, and before food was routinely flown in from overseas. It therefore acts as a good guide to what can be produced by anyone growing their own home crops in the UK.

April

VEGETABLES: Broccoli, celery, lettuces, young onions, parsnips, radishes, small salad, sea-kale, spinach, sprouts,–various herbs.

FRUIT: Apples, nuts, pears, forced cherries, &e. for tarts, rhubarb, dried fruits, crystallized preserves.

May

VEGETABLES: Asparagus, beans, early cabbages, carrots, cauliflowers, creases, cucumbers, lettuces, pease, early potatoes, salads, sea-kale,–various herbs.

FRUIT: Apples, green apricots, cherries, currants for tarts, gooseberries, melons, pears, rhubarb, strawberries.

June

VEGETABLES: Artichokes, asparagus, beans, cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, lettuces, onions, parsnips, pease, potatoes, radishes, small salads, sea-kale, spinach,–various herbs.

FRUIT: Apricots, cherries, currants, gooseberries, melons, nectarines, peaches, pears, pineapples, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries.

July

VEGETABLES.–Artichokes, asparagus, beans, cabbages, carrots, cauliflowers, celery, cresses, endive, lettuces, mushrooms, onions, pease, radishes, small salading, sea-kale, sprouts, turnips, vegetable marrow.

FRUIT.–Apricots, cherries, currants, figs, gooseberries, melons, nectarines, pears, pineapples, plums, raspberries, strawberries, walnuts in high season, and pickled.

August

VEGETABLES: Artichokes, asparagus, beans, carrots, cabbages, cauliflowers, celery, cresses, endive, lettuces, mushrooms, onions, pease, potatoes, radishes, sea-bale, small salading, sprouts, turnips, various kitchen herbs, vegetable marrows.

FRUIT: Currants, figs, filberts, gooseberries, grapes, melons, mulberries, nectarines, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, raspberries, walnuts.

September

VEGETABLES: Artichokes, asparagus, beans, cabbage sprouts, carrots, celery, lettuces, mushrooms, onions, pease, potatoes, salading, sea-kale, sprouts, tomatoes, turnips, vegetable marrows,–various herbs.

FRUIT: Bullaces, damsons, figs, filberts, grapes, melons, morella-cherries, mulberries, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, quinces, walnuts.

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