Key crops for December

Blackcurrants

Not the sweetest fruits maybe, but these glossy little currants are one of the richest in healthpromoting phytonutrients.

Broad beans

No need to wait for the nutrient-dense beans, you can enjoy earlier pickings by pinching out young shoot tips to add to salads and stir-fries.

Cabbages

Best known for their anti-cancer compounds, these nutritious greens are also good for your heart and digestive system.

Cherries

As these fruits start to lose nutrients from the moment they’re picked, homegrown cherries are not only a tastier option but a healthier one too.

Garlic

Protective allicin develops only when you crush, chop or bruise garlic, and it seems the older the bulb, the more is produced.

Loganberries

These delicious berries are rich in potassium and a good source of both calcium and magnesium, making them a heart-healthy choice.

Mustard greens

Their lovely peppery flavour is down to beneficial plant compounds called isothiocyanates, which have powerful anti-cancer properties too.

Onions (seeds)

As they’re loaded with carbs that we can’t digest but our beneficial gut bacteria can, the allium family, including onions, are gut-friendly.

Pears

Good for the heart and blood pressure, pears are rich in nutrients such as potassium and folate, and are best enjoyed with the skin intact.

Rhubarb

The red pigments in rhubarb have a protective effect that may boost brain function and support our eyesight as we age.