Spring is here, and it feels so good to enjoy the warmer weather and longer days! It also feels great when we eat fresh, seasonal produce. Here’s what to look out for in spring.
As the days begin to warm up, dormant deciduous trees awaken, flower buds unfurl, and the fruit trees lying in wait prepare for this year’s fruiting. It’s also time for us to step out into the fresh air, enjoy the longer daylight hours, spruce up our gardens, and enjoy fresh seasonal produce.
If you have access to one, check out your local farmers’ market to see what fruits and vegetables are being harvested locally. One seasonal spring treat to look out for now is asparagus, which only graces us with its deliciousness at this time of year. If you’re shopping at the supermarket or a fruit and veggie store, check the labels for produce grown and harvested right here – believe it or not, you may still find imported items that could potentially be from last season in the other hemisphere!
Here’s what to shop for to get the best tasting and freshest seasonal produce this spring:
WHAT’S IN SEASON?
- Asparagus
- Brassicas, such as cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage
- Lettuce
- Potatoes
- Beetroot
- Carrots
- Mulberries
- Radish
- Artichokes
- Silver beet
- Cape gooseberries
- Broad beans
- Peas
Image: Brent Hofacker on Shutterstock
IN THE SPRING VEGGIE PATCH
For those of us who love to grow our own food, now really is the time to get your hands dirty. Spring is the time to replenish the soil after harvesting winter crops, such as brassicas, that have eaten up some of the nutrients. Then it’s time for planting, and lots of it.
You can start planting your summer crops at the beginning of spring in temperate zones and by about mid-spring in cooler parts of Australia. Remember that it is important to rotate crops so that the same family of plants don’t repeat themselves within one garden bed. This can help prevent diseases and pests proliferating by disrupting their life cycle.
Another great tip is to stagger your crops. For example, if you are planting tomatoes, plant a few seedlings every two weeks, so that they mature at different times, giving you abundant produce throughout their season.
IT’S TIME TO PLANT!
- Solanaceae such as tomatoes, capsicums, eggplants, and chillies.
- Cucurbits such as cucumbers, zucchini, rock melon, and pumpkin.
- Lettuce, rocket, and spring onions (although they will bolt to seed if it’s too hot).
- Herbs, including basil.
French (dwarf) beans and climbing beans. - Silverbeet and chard.
There is a lot of work to do in a spring garden, but just think about the delicious sun-ripened tomatoes coming your way. And if you don’t have a veggie patch, you can still enjoy all the benefits of eating seasonally knowing what produce to look out for at the farmers’ market or supermarket.
SPRING RECIPES
Here are a few of my favourite spring recipes:
Simple and satisfying, this mouthwatering pasta dish is zinging with the flavours of spring.
This focaccia-style pizza is a gorgeous way to enjoy fresh seasonal artichokes.
Deceptively simple, this crowd-pleasing creation stars whole beetroot (leaves included), and is as pretty as it is delicious.
Lead image: Anna Shvets on Pexels • Recipe images: Katie White
