Take your pick for your kitchen: early winter 2024

Lime

Limes are generally harvested before fully ripened – their skins are still green. To tell if they are ready, cup them in your hands and have a good whiff – they should have a fresh, zesty lime smell. Their skins should also give a little when squeezed. When they tick these boxes, try one and put them in your kitchen.

Cauliflower

When cauliflower heads are about 10cm wide, pull a few outer leaves over them and tie together to keep the sun off them. This stops them from discolouring. Pick when the head has reached full size and the fleurettes are still tight. Use a sharp knife to cut it off the plant.

Ginger

Ginger has matured when leaves start to yellow. Dig up the clump then trim and wash what you want to use and store – I chop some into 3cm pieces and freeze in ziplock bags in your kitchen. The rest I place in a plant pot, cover with compost and store undercover ready for spring planting.