Harvesting summer crops

There is something special about harvesting your own produce – a sense of achievement, yes, but also the knowledge that with the help of nature you have managed to feed yourself with no outside influences except that of the weather. The secret is to crop regularly, without waiting for fruits and vegetables to grow too large and fat. With few exceptions – such as parsnips and leeks – the younger vegetables are, the more tender and tasty they will be.

Picking regularly will keep peas and beans cropping, rather than slowing down and running to seed, and young salad crops will be better in flavour and texture. Ideally, pop out with a basket and take what you need before every meal, and only pick in advance those crops you know will stay reasonably fresh, like carrots and beetroot.

Get recipe ideas for your crops on page 75