A new beginning

As each day gets longer and the temperature creeps upwards the last of the winter roots fade away and the stored apples and squashes are no more. This is a time of new beginnings when new green shoots start to bud and an abundance of fresh crops starts to appear - spring greens, watercress, and new potatoes.

Now we can celebrate the end of winter with the two special treats of spring - purple sprouting broccoli in March and asparagus in May. Both have very abundant, but quite short peak seasons, and we should over-indulge in them while we can.

Celebrate Easter with newly hatched eggs as free-range hens naturally start laying again in the warmer weathers. This was the tradition long before our shelves became stacked with chocolate eggs.