From apples to strawberries, here’s when the fruits in your garden are ready to be harvested.
Whether you’re thinking about what fruit to plant in your garden, or looking forward to the emergence and maturation of already growing trees and shrubs, this handy guide from Bramley and Teal offers everything you need to know.
APPLES
When to choose: between August and November
Easily grown fruits, both dessert and culinary apples, are popular fruits to grow. Bramley is the most popular variety of apples for cooking, and the favorite varieties of dessert apples are Golden Delicious.
APRICOTS
When to choose: between July and August
Apricot plants may find it difficult to grow in colder areas, but may thrive in others if left to grow in frost-protected sun.
BLACKBERRY
When to choose: between July and September
Blackberries are easy to find in hedgerows from late summer and make excellent jams and dessert toppings.
BLACK CURRANT
When to choose: June to August
These easy-to-grow bunches of dark fruit have a tart taste and can be made into anything from pies to jams, liqueurs and liqueurs.
BLUEBERRY
When to choose: between July and September
Often considered a “superfood”, blueberries are good to grow not only because of the end result, but also because of the beautiful flowers that come out during the growing process.
CHERRY
When to choose: June to August
Cherries are available in several flavors: some are sweet and perfect for eating neat, while others are slightly bitter raw but great for making jams and desserts.
CRANBERRY
When to choose: between August and October
High in vitamins, these native American berries are great for sauces, toppings, and as an accompaniment to cooked meats.
DAMSONS
When to choose: between August and October
Like plums, plums grow on compact trees that are suitable for small gardens.
ELDER
When to choose: May to July
Start harvesting these flowers in late spring so you have enough to make a delicious elderberry liqueur, perfect for summer days.
Gooseberry
When to choose: June to August
A soft fruit that is easy to grow, be careful when harvesting a fully ripe gooseberry as it may burst.
LOGANBERRYES
When to choose: between July and August
A cross between raspberries and blackberries, logan berries are best picked when they turn deep red. Edible, cooked or raw, it has a sharper flavor than raspberries.
mulberry
When to choose: between August and October
Rarely found in stores, sometimes the only way to get mulberries is to pick them fresh from the tree. It may take several years for a mulberry tree to bear fruit.
PEARS
When to choose: between August and November
Pears require minimal care throughout the year and are the perfect fruit for fall. The most popular varieties grown are Conference and Concord.
Fresh juicy pears Conference… who can resist?
PLUMS
When to choose: between August and September
Even the smallest garden can grow plum trees! Plums that ripen on the branch can be eaten once they have been plucked or made into jam and other sweets.
quince
When to choose: September to November
Similar in appearance to a pear, quince is a large, yellow and fragrant fruit that is hard to find in most stores and supermarkets. Great for jellies and jams, they are easy to care for and avoid many of the common problems associated with fruit growing.
RASPBERRIES
When to choose: June to October
With varieties ready to be harvested in both summer and fall, raspberries can be enjoyed most of the year. They also freeze well, which means they can be eaten even in winter.
RED CURRANT
When to choose: June to August
Redcurrants are closely related to blackcurrants and grow well even in the colder parts of Britain, although the ripening process is greatly accelerated when given some sun.
RHUBARB
When to choose: between March and August
Technically classified as a vegetable, rhubarb becomes very sweet when stewed to make desserts like pies and crumbles. Its long stems of leaves are red, pink or green.
ROSE HIPS
When to choose: September to November
These brightly colored rose hips can be found in hedgerows, and once cooked, are delicious in syrups and jellies.
SLOWS
When to choose: October to December
Small, round stone fruits, sloes are an autumn fruit that is growing in popularity due to their increasing use in homemade gins and other liquors.
STRAWBERRY
When to choose: June to September
Strawberries are very easy to grow at home and can be grown almost anywhere. They are one of the signs that summer has arrived, pairing well with cream or champagne.
Nothing beats fresh strawberries – unless it’s fresh strawberries you’ve grown yourself.
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