Elder is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Europe and Asia. It grows in abundance, in woodlands and hedgerows, all over the British countryside. In early Summer the tree is awash with thousands of tiny white flowers, followed in Autumn by drooping bunches of purple-black berries.

In spring, after winters rest there are so many new flavours and colours to add to your dishes, so gather before spring turns into summer!

The winter months provide some wonderful seasonal vegetables - plan your meals around fresh, flavoursome, nutritious UK grown produce

Bramley apples - the king of cookers. Recipes ready for apple harvest

Chamomile, lavender and rose are all linked to the summer solstice. Many of our herbal plant allies reach their peak around the solstice.

Jerusalem artichokes are an excellent source of minerals especially potassium, iron, and copper.

Here are a few recipes to bring you cheer and keep you warm and nourished during the winter season.

These preserves make a good addition to the larder. Easy to make and they will enliven any savoury dish.

Fresh picked apples are one of the evocative smells of Autumn. Many apples kept in a dry room will keep into the following year.

Make the most of summer abundance: pea soup summer salad with raspberry-hemp dressing chilli flatbreads aubergine dip red pepper & feta...

Apricot cake serves 10 450g apricots halved and stoned 2 tablespoons rose syrup 350g soft butter (plus a little extra) 350g rapadura...

Summer Tea The best time to harvest herbs to be dried and stored is on a sunny morning, immediately after the dew has evaporated. Easy...

Courgette Lasagna serves 2 2 courgettes juice of 1 lemon salt and pepper 6 plum tomatoes pine nuts pesto 2 handfuls basil 50g pine nuts...

by Daphne Lambert Pea soup serves 4 6 spring onions, finely sliced 2 tablespoons olive oil 1k fresh peas - shelled 1 litre stock 6 mint...

Hemp seed pesto 150 g shelled hemp seeds 2 cloves of garlic chopped 1 tsp salt ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper 2 large handfuls basil...

Rose apple cider vinegar Gallica rose petals or other old English variety apple cider vinegar wide necked jar with lid – Kilner jar works...