I don't like starting with bad news but here is a bit of a warning, the horrible wet weather over the last month has caused some real issues in the market gardens around the North Island.
Unfortunately this situation will be with us for the next two to three months affecting most lines of outdoor grown produce.
The best buys will be asparagus, broccoli, courgettes, tomatoes, capsicums and eggplant.
With the warmer weather the asparagus is in abundant supply and prices are low, a great time to buy.
New season courgettes have responded to the increased temperatures and prices have dropped very quickly so buy now. Both capsicums and tomatoes remain good buying.
Other green vegetables this week are huge heads of Pukekohe broccoli, Pukekohe grown celery, Pukekohe silverbeet, Levin spinach along with eggplant from Te Kauwhata.
From Pukekohe we have new season Ilam Hardy potatoes, nice fresh new season agria potatoes and spring carrots.
Take care when buying onions at this time of year; the warmer weather encourages the sprouting of green stems so buy what is necessary and store in a cool dark place.
The Ohakune carrots will be available for another two weeks.
The Northland strawberries have increased in volume over the last few days. This supply will be the main source of strawberries for the next two to three weeks with the local supply not yet available.
Apples are again the biggest seller in the fruit area, with pacific queen, pacific rose, granny smith and fuji being the popular varieties.
Gisborne oranges, lemons, nice tangelos and grapefruit are selling to good demand.
Green kiwifruit supplies are good and we will be changing over to US imported pears over the next fortnight as local supplies disappear.
On the import scene, US grapes continue to sell well. Australian mangos will increase in volume over the next week and we have a full supply of Australian melons. Last, but not least, we have a good supply of Ecuador bananas.
Remember to buy what is in season and on special.
- David Stewart is the owner of The Fresh Market Gate Pa and home delivery service mygreengrocer.co.nz