The quince trees in the fruit orchards of Wilkin and Sons in Tiptree are waiting for the first frosts of the season so the fruit can be picked. The fruits are looking yellow and ready to eat. However, if you took a bite it would initially taste nice but leave an unpleasant sensation in your mouth as Tiptree farm manager Dan told Ken Crowther.
Autumn 2016 in the UK has been great time for vegetable growers with the warmer weather lasting longer than expected. It has meant the harvest has been pushed back as Colin Randall from Thompson & Morgan explained to Ken Crowther.
Growing rhubarb in a small space has become easier thanks to the development of a new strain perfect for whose living in flats. The stalks of Lilibarber grow to just four inches in height. The leaves can also be eaten as they contain lower levels of oxalic acid as a member of the Lubera team explains.
Mulberry Trees have a royal connection which can be traced by to the Tudors. Historically the Marks Hall estate near Coggeshall in Essex had trees but they disappeared. New trees were planted in the 90s for their historical reference but also for their fruit as Jonathan Jukes, curator of Marks Hall told Ken Crowther.
The strawberry season may well be over for now at Wilkin & Sons farm in Tiptree, but the raspberries are well and truly in flavour. Ken Crowther caught up with farm manager Andre to try some of the crop.