Incredible edibles

June is a busy month. Lucy shares some of her seasonal favourites to enjoy now, and to plant for later.

l If you’re into tomatoes,

I highly recommend seeking out heirloom varieties rather than the standard hybrids you find in most garden centres. The harvest may be a little smaller but the flavour is far superior and nothing will make you smile quite like a technicolour rainbow tomato salad. Try Indigo Rose (black), Jersey Devil (giant, long and red) and Ananas Noir (tie-dye green, red and yellow). l Nasturtiums are brilliant!

The whole plant is edible. The bright trumpet-like flowers are a beautiful addition to salads, while the peppery leaves are a great rocket substitute – and they also make an amazing pesto. You can even eat the fresh seeds, pickled like capers. l Towards the end of June start thinking about what you’ll grow during winter. Chard is fabulous as it’ll give you delicious greens all through autumn, winter and well into the following year.

For something special, look for Peppermint chard with its neon pink stems to brighten up winter.

Look out for Lucy’s edible allotment garden at this year’s Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival (6-11 July 2021).