Despite the difficult Summer, there seems to be plenty of Halloween Pumpkins around in many different sizes.

Alongside these, you can get ‘Munchkins’ (Baby Pumpkins) by the each, Display Gourds by the handy 2kg basket with 6-8 pieces, but best for eating are the wonderful array of Autumn Squash from Bedlam Organic Farm in Cambridgeshire.

National Apple Day falls on Wed October 21^st, but the whole month, and at least the week, should be used to celebrate British Apples. Our apples are grown in Kent at Ringden Farm, which is only 50 miles away from Central London. They are a multi-generation farm, which also grow pears, plums & damsons.

There is no waste as Ringden, who also have an extensive range of juices, jams and relishes, plus any excess pulp from the juices goes to local dairy farms to feed cattle.

There are many imported apples retailed in the UK, which may have been grown, picked and cold-stored many months ago. Often these are generally the shiny ones in the supermarkets! What the British Apples sometimes lack in shiny and beautiful skin, they make up for in flavour, juiciness and general freshness. The most familiar varieties are Cox, Royal Gala, & Braeburn, plus we will have some other less know varieties, including our favourite - Spartan, Daliclass and Russets (there will be further varieties later in the season).

As we move into the Winter season, all salad leaves and heads now come from Spain mainly, although Spanish stone fruit, including peaches, nectarines and apricots will come to an end very soon.

Red Meat Radish, Green Meat Radish and Blue Meat Radish offer a colourful option and are more delicate and peppery flavour compared to the normal bunched or breakfast radishes.

Although stone fruit has all but finished, Kaki fruit (persimmon) have just started again from Spain, which is delicious, but must be eaten ripe. Turkish Figs remain good quality alongside Pomegranates from the same part of continent. Satsumas are now coming from South Africa and are good quality. Both red and white Grapes are excellent, both from Italy. There are some juicy red Plums available ‘Fortuna’ variety from Italy for example.

Lychees are not due for a few weeks, but Rambutan is a better tasting substitute. No issues with melons currently, although all coming from Brazil now. UK Pears are extremely good, but if you prefer brighter skin colour, then the William or “QTee®” varieties are available.

There are some fantastic tree-ripened Mangoes coming in from Spanish ‘Osteen’ to the superb ‘Kent’ variety from Peru.

Although the UK Tomato season is drawing to a close, there are some fantastic tomatoes from Italy and France including these sweet San Marzano.

 Also available: Purple Kohl Rabbi, Puntarella, Tropea Onions, Trevise, Castelfranco, Wet Walnuts, Sakura Mixed Cresses, French Display Gourds, Purple & Orange Cauliflowers, Borlotti Beans, Romero Peppers, Graffiti Aubergines, giant Cedro Lemons, Bergamots, Swiss Chard, Rainbow Radish, Salsify, Round Courgettes, Black Garlic, Round Aubergines, Kiwano (horned melon).