‘Rowlands Digest’ - March 2018
With March arriving, Mothering Sunday and an early Easter the British growing season is slowly cranking into gear. It is of course dependent on the weather conditions so the present cold spell could set things back.
Fruit
Citrus is still predominantly Spanish including lovely Lemons, Nardicots and Navel oranges. Blood oranges are still available from Sicily although are likely to become scarce in the following weeks. Brazilian figs are coming through along with Mangoes from Venezuela and nice South African Plums. English stored apples including Coxes and Bramleys are still available along with Yorkshire forced rhubarb, which will be replaced with Dutch and eventually early English outdoor varieties. Berries are of exceptional quality, Spanish strawberries and raspberries, Dutch redcurrants, Mexican blackberries and South American blueberries.
Pomegranates are still a delight and of good size as are Honeydew, Galia and Canteloupe Melons but be wary of Watermelon prices!
Vegetables
Brassicas are still top with cavelo nero, red and green kales, purple sprouting and January king cabbages all looking good.
English carrots including chantenay, celeriac, leeks and Jerusalem artichokes are a must at the moment with Spanish calabrese to compliment.
The Jersey royals are always a sign the British season is gathering speed, prices for these wonderful potatoes are high initially as they are forced grown but will ease over the next few weeks.
Some smaller green vegetables remain steady and of high quality such as fine beans, sugar snaps and mange tout.
English cauliflowers will suffer a setback due to the forthcoming cold temperatures but French cauliflower will continue to back us up together with some beautiful Romanesco.
Salad
Salad is still predominantly from Spain, tomatoes, peppers, celery, cucumbers together with cos, gem lettuce, lollo-rosso and oakleaf are fine and should run into the new Dutch season in April.
Updated - Locally Sourced Products
Wild Garlic
Wild Garlic is expected to become available in the next two weeks.
Wye Valley Asparagus
Wye Valley Asparagus should be available in time for Easter.
Locally Sourced - Available Now
- Celeriac
- Cavelo Nero
- Kale – Red and Green
- Beetroots – Red candied and golden
- January King Kale
- Heritage Carrots
- Purple Sprouting
- Kalettes (Flowering Sprouts)
- Baby leeks
- Baby turnips
Please visit our website for our full product range at www.rowlandsltd.co.uk or contact our Customer Services representatives on 01743 462244 for our Special Offers.
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