August is a more mellow month on the Market and brings a huge range of UK produce. 

The English plum season is underway. Varieties start with Opal, then Victoria then Marjorie's Seedling. European plums also available but tend to be picked early so have a firmer texture and less natural sugars. 

These are the first of the greengages. The French fruit are called Reine de Claude. 

It's last call for green gooseberries but the sweeter red gooseberries will run a few weeks longer. UK soft fruit is at its peak, offering the full range of strawberries, currants, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. 

Cherries are still widely available. The UK crop is high quality this year and will run for most of August. 

It's prime time for all the stone fruit, such as peaches, nectarines and apricots. Melons are also at their best. 

UK apples will start this month with the Discovery variety. Cobnuts are also imminent. 

Muscat grapes are back from France. 

Fig leaves have become popular in recent years - typically infused into creams and milks when making desserts. Black figs from Spain are excellent this year, along with green from Italy. 

For UK veg, English beans and peas are in season. UK sweetcorn is just starting. Borlotti beans, Coco beans and yellow beans also available from the Continent. 

Runner beans also on hand. Brassicas such as purple sprouting are available but low volumes and demand. All the UK salads are at their best. UK courgettes and tomatoes are full season. 

From the Continent, it's a new season for celeriac from France. 

It's also the start for Lautrec pink garlic from France. 

Check out these mini yellow and purple cauliflowers. 

For mushrooms, girolle (incl. Scottish) still available plus Ceps are restarting. 

See you in September for our next Market Report.