What's in season: September
This month we're talking about damsons
Damsons are small, dark purple fruits with a far more intense and acidic flavour than a plum. They get their name from Damascus where they are said to have been bred and eaten enthusiastically by ancient Romans. However, they are closely related to the bullace, a small tree that grows wild in Britain. There are many different varieties of this tree, including 'merryweather', which was raised in Nottingham during the early 20th century.
Their rich sharp flavour makes damsons excellent for jams and puddings and it is thought that their deep colour was once used to make purple dye. Some varieties including 'prune damson' are also suitable for drying to make prunes.
Damson trees are very easy to grow in most soils and will tolerate slightly windy sites and light shade. Like all plums they are best left unpruned but, if you must prune them, do it in spring or summer when wounds can heal quickly.