PICKLE, FERMENT AND KEEP

A larder filled with enticingly colourful jars is one of the perks of growing your own fruit and veg. There are so many wonderful recipes for preserves, pickles and ferments, but they often focus on traditional fruit and vegetables: cucumbers, strawberries, tomatoes – you know the drill. I try to grow as much as possible in my small homestead, including more unusual varieties which are difficult to find in shops. These are six of my favourites to inspire you to grow (and preserve) something new.

Medlar Mespilus germanica

GARDEN

This is an old-fashioned fruit that’s becoming more popular because it makes the most unusual preserves. Medlars will grow into