Despite the arrival of warmer weather, springtime is a very lean period for British fruit and veg. Known as the 'hungry gap', it is the time in between the end of winter crops and the harvest of new season's veg. 

However, some seasonal fruit and veg are still available - keep an eye out for:

Purple-sprouting broccoli: reaching the end of it's season, but is available throughout April

Spring greens: did you know these are actually a cabbage?

Rhubarb: following the winter season of 'forced' rhubarb, field-grown rhubarb is harvested from April onwards

Asparagus: the asparagus season in the UK is short - make the most of it between late April and late June

New potatoes: such as Jersey Royals

Cauliflowers: the winter variety are available until May

Radishes: these fast growing roots are usually available in April, they're part of the mustard family

Wild garlic: if you're looking for foraging opportunities, head to your local woodlands to hunt for pungent wild garlic leaves!

Spring is a busy time for farmers and home-growers, as warmer weather and longer days makes it perfect for planting! Here's a few recommendations for planting and propagating from late-March to May:

Beetroot: start sowing your summer crop of beetroot outside from March onwards

Spinach: sow from early spring to the middle of June

Kale: sow in April or May

Onion & shallots: get planting outside as soon as the last frost has passed

Radish: sow outside 

Carrots: plant outside in loose, sandy soil in early spring to harvest in the autumn

Courgette & squash: autumn veg you can begin to sow indoors

Leeks: sow outside for harvesting from September onwards

Make sure to use seasonal spring greens in this recipe from renowned eco-chef Tom hunt to complement the sweet beetroot and strained labneh yoghurt

Make the most of asparagus' short-lived season with this delicious pizza recipe from Riverford

Following the winter season of forced rhubarb, grown in sheds, field-grown rhubarb emerges from April onwards. Try this delicious recipe from Tom Hunt for your breakfast 

A great way ensure you are eating seasonally is to subscribe to a fruit, veg or meat box. You'll be joining a community of amazing citizens, farmers and organisations who are making sure the way we farm and eat is better for our health, better for nature and wildlife, and better for the climate too.

What we choose to put on our plates has the power to make a world of difference. Find out how choosing organic can offer solutions to many of the crises around our climate, nature, and our health.