May

The weather has been kind to us this year, so in May we hope to have a full range of exciting Salad Leaves, including newcomers Peppergrass, Upland Cress and Vitamin Green.

Samphire will arrive from salt-marshes in France by mid-month. First gatherings of this sea-vegetable are usually fairly expensive, but also the most tender and delicious. A little goes a long way.

Fresh, plump American Cherries should, be affordable by the end of May.

Spanish Apricots get better and cheaper as the month progresses.

We should start to see regular shipments of Peaches and Nectarines, too.

Spanish, French, Belgian, Dutch and Italian Strawberries, USA Blueberries and various Raspberries will be available throughout May. English Strawberries make an appearance mid-month, as do French Blackberries, Tayberries and Redcurrants.

Nisperos or Loquats remain good and become considerably cheaper.

The Southern Hemisphere begins to supply our Citrus Fruit. Prices may move up at the beginning of the season. Argentinian Mandarins and Satsumas from Uruguay become the favourite easy peelers in the latter half of May.

In Apples, Cape Royal Gala and Braeburns will continue to vie with NZ Cox’s for a share of the good taste apple market. New Zealand Braeburns will enter the fray at the end of the month.

The first glimpse of Cape Forelles, the most beautiful Pears in the world, will take your breath away. They taste watery at first but, by the third week, will be sweet and ripe.

Grapes become even more problematical. Seedless disappear completely. Late Barlinka Seeded offer the only reasonable quality.

Plums are worth a miss. Only bland American fruit reaches the market in May.

English Asparagus will outrank the competition. It should appear early in the month and be at its best right through till mid-June.

Jersey Royals will become cheap, yet remain excellent. Italian Globe Artichokes represent great value in May. but Jerusalem Artichokes must come off the menu as their season ends.

Large Potato prices traditionally double in May but as prices are low, right now, they’re unlikely to match previous highs. Cyprus Large New Potatoes offer good value.

Carrots become expensive as the English strawed crop finishes and we turn to European imports.

Celeriac, Parsnips and Swedes may begin to become woody or prone to rot.

New French Turnips are a great choice and will be joined by the new English crop at the end of the month.

Shallot prices will rise as old season bulbs sprout. The new season often doesn't start till mid-June!

English Hispe Spring Cabbage is a May winner. If your budget will stretch, you might try Broad Beans and Peas from Spain and Italy.

An Italian must are purple-marbled Borlotti Beans. Surely the most beautiful of all beans — and back in stock at City Herbs by the end of May.

Salad highlights include the start of the English Roquette season, but are likely to be outshone by our new range.

Giant Mild Red Chillies arrive from Spain. They are beautiful, very tasty, and great to add bite to salads.

French Salads should become larger and heartier and prices may move down a little. English Iceberg will start and competitively priced Webbs will get bigger and better.

English Baby Beetroot will start their season with the sweetest, most tender bulbs — perfect for salad or vegetable use.

There will be problems, as usual in May, with Radiccio supplies.

Salvation should come in the form of Red Chicory from Holland.

Dutch Pepper prices should fall considerably by end-May and we should see early English filtering into the market.

Mushroom supplies will remain tight, with Mousserons, St Georges and Giroles becoming scarce.