Seasonal food and growing

Growing our own food is something that we've been championing for quite some time. We've put together a guide to what you need to know each month to help you transform your garden or allotment.

Rows of leeks growing in the walled garden at Chartwell in Kent

What's in season: January 

January is still a good time for gardening and growing. There’s still plenty of delicious veg to harvest or buy, including the humble leek, which is a great ingredient for hearty stews and soups.

January's seasonal produce
A bunch of freshly grown carrots

What's in season: February 

There's still quite a lot of root veg that can be harvested during February, including brussels sprouts, leeks and parsnips. It's also a good time of year to get ready for spring and plan a crop rotation system for your veg patch.

What to eat in February
A walled garden at Nostell Priory and Parkland, West Yorkshire

What's in season: March 

After the winter months, gardeners and growers welcome the first signs of spring. In March there's still plenty to harvest and you can also start planting out veg such as early potatoes, broad beans and beetroot if the soil is warm enough. We're sharing gardening tips and recipes to help you celebrate the start of the new season.

Get harvesting and growing
A gardener pulling rhubarb at Clumber Park

What's in season: April 

Spring is in full swing and gardeners and growers are busy tending their veg patches and gathering delicious crops including early, unforced rhubarb, which is one of our favourite vegetables. We're sharing our tips on how to grow, harvest and cook rhubarb.

April's seasonal fruit and vegetables
Visitors looking at asparagus growing in the Kitchen Garden in June at Beningbrough Hall, North Yorkshire

What's in season: May 

Britain has the best asparagus in the world, and May is the month when it really comes into season. It's also time to start moving young plants outside to harden up.

Explore what May has to offer in the garden
A small office vegetable garden

What's in season: June 

June is a high point in UK gardens. The first spring-sown crops are finally ready to harvest and fruit bushes are dripping with jewels. Strawberries, cucumber, spinach and courgettes are among the fruit and veg coming into season.

See the best produce of June
Broads beans and goose berries in a basket at Snowshill Manor

What's in season: July 

As summer reaches its height, British crops are in abundance, from beetroots to radishes and all the berries you can eat.

July's garden bounty
Harvesting potatoes in the Kitchen Garden at Ham House, London

What's in season: August 

August is an abundant month for so many different vegetables. Find out which fruits and vegetables are best to harvest or buy next month before everyone else and serve up a storm at home.

Great seasonal eats for August
Harvest season at Cliveden

What's in season: September 

As summer turns to autumn, make the most of the seasonal fruit and make your own jam. Keep picking your beans, and when the foliage dies, it's time to unearth the onions.

September seasonal food
Pumpkin 'Atlantic Giant' growing in October in the Kitchen Garden at Sizergh Castle, Cumbria

What's in season: October 

As the nights get longer and the days get colder, we're looking at what fruit and veg you can buy or harvest in October. From hearty stews to warming soups, we've also got plenty of delicious recipes using fresh and seasonal produce.

What's good to eat in October
Cabbage plants for sale at Morden Hall Park Garden Centre

What's in season: November 

Potatoes, red cabbage, carrots and cauliflower are just some of the fresh produce you can get in November. We've got tips on buying and harvesting seasonal vegetables and delicious recipes to use them in.

What to eat in November
Pears growing on the tree at Hidcote Manor Garden, Gloucestershire in September

What's in season: December 

Celebrate the festive season with warming dishes packed full of goodness. Sprouts, cabbages, potatoes, leeks, pears and cranberries are just some of the tasty fruit and veg you can harvest or buy in December. Our gardening tips and recipes will help you make the most of this fresh produce.

Enjoy seasonal produce