April 2025
It is April. And a beautiful one at that. It feels like there’s hope in the field again after a difficult growing year last year, and we’re running towards summer and those heavy harvests! So long as we can get the plants in the ground that is…
April is hungry gap month. Which in itself is inaccurate really, the ‘hungry gap’, as it’s known, is the time when the winter or storage crops have finished, and the spring-summer ones haven’t begun. In the UK that is happening basically all the way between February and June to different crops at different times, but April is peak oh-no-where-did-the-local-produce-go month! We’ll see UK apples, potatoes, carrots, swede, parsnips, squash, kale, broccoli, leeks, cauliflowers, cabbages come and go, swap in and out, in the next few weeks. And in their place tender things like asparagus, salad, spinach, chard, lettuces, broad beans and strawberries come into their own.
Asparagus in the raised beds between the four-span tunnels
So what does this practically mean for you? It means the origins of things will change, the prices will fluctuate, the store crops we’ve come to depend on will move from UK to European and then back again. And the quality will sometimes fluctuate. The sizes of things will change quickly, the rooty things won’t be so firm (but perfectly edible and delicious) and you may occasionally find something with a squishy patch! So If ever that happens just drop us an email and we’ll always refund you.
We’re already deep into navigating produce changes and seasons ending because although April is our hungry gap month, this time of year is the same for growers on the continent too- tomatoes, aubergines, fennel, peppers, courgettes and celery- we’re jumping from producer to producer as one crop ends and another begins. Juggling changeable spring storms in Spain and France, and a shortage of storage crops elsewhere after a difficult winter. And the call is often hard to make, should we finish blood oranges this week or next? Switch from Spanish to South African citrus? Wait for the new crop of storage cabbage or buy in for another few weeks even though the price is high?
Change is always challenging right? Especially on the weekly shop when all you need is a flipping cucumber because it’s the only veg you can get into your three year old! (We’ve been there-I feel you- peas are often helpful.) But I’ve learnt to love this time of year, even if it’s a bit of a headache trying to source everything.
The things is, I like that we are reminded that each vegetable has its season, its peak and its absence. Take the potatoes, yes, they might have tiny little eyes on them right now, but they’ve changed after storage all winter and they’re full of sugar and sweet and fluffy and utterly delicious. Now is the time for the best roast potato of your life!
We’re so used to being able to get exactly what we want, when we want it, that sometimes a little shake up is good. An important reminder that food has seasons, that food provision can be fragile, and that ultimately we’re incredibly lucky to have the access to the good food we do for so much of the year.
And look, I could source you some more kale. In all reality I could be buying it in from abroad, from farms on the east of England, from greenhouses, but frankly-I don’t want to. I want us to have the break. I’d like us to be so hungry for kale that when we start the new crop in about six weeks we’ll appreciate just how soft and deeply green and utterly delicious it really is!
Anyway, that’s enough rambling from me- the take aways are this- eat veg. Miss what we don’t have. Enjoy it when we do. And cucumbers and peas being two major food groups for the under-fives is all good!
Pear blossom
Great right now- greens and beans! Mole End English apples are still exceptional. Strawbs are great, blueberries are now Spanish hurray! Purple Sprouting is appearing and the pears are D’Anjou now because Conference have finished. Local oyster mushrooms are back with a bang too.
Ending- Kale is gone already, enjoy the roots whilst you can, onions and garlic have gone up in price but are still pretty great quality. We’re adding new items and juggling others each week at the moment so do check your account.
Bread- Guys! You’re buying so much sourdough I’ve been in sheer blind panic for weeks trying to source more as our current supplier is at capacity. We wanted some that has nice Organic flour, is made by a small producer and who’s quality is top-notch. And guess what? I’ve found one! Starting from the next week or so we should be stocking a whole range from Gab at The Wheat Ear Bakery.
Aaaand lastly, we will be at the Span Arts Big Plant Sale on the 3rd of May in Narberth CP school. This event is the best- loads of plants, edible and ornamental, and this year some fruit and veg too! Come and say hello, we’ll be the smiling faces surrounded by cabbages!