WELL, I always start my shopping with vegetables, so let’s start there.

I think, by now, we are all coming to terms with the fact that, actually, we’re not having a very good summer, are we?

What that means for us at the farmers’ market is that new season crops are a bit slow in coming on.

Despite this, however, Over Farm is having a record asparagus crop.

This is down to last year’s fabulous weather though, with the warm weather stimulating the expansion of the root network – hence more asparagus this year.

They also had their first strawberries last week and have still got rhubarb which means I can make my annual crumble delight – rhubarb and strawberry, delicious.

Over also have a shared stall with Evesham Growers who are responsible for the excellent range of tomatoes they have had for the last few weeks.

At Paget’s Veg the finger carrot bunches flew off the stall last week and they really are very tasty, especially when eaten raw and fresh.

They also have cauliflowers, leeks, beetroot and are expecting the first broad beans of the season.

Down on the organic aisle Newark Farm continues to be absent as they wait for their season to start but Coleshill organics, who have had some wonderful lettuces and mixed leaf salads in recent weeks, will also have their first broad beans this Saturday as well as radishes, spinach, chard and more of those lettuces.

If we have a sunny week they are hoping for their first organic strawberries too.

Hotch Potch is still mostly selling the veg plants but they have a shared stall with Alderton Nurseries who have green beans and aubergine on sale at the moment.

Unusually for a fifth Saturday it will be absolutely packed with stalls at the farmers’ market this weekend.

Goat’s cheese and dairy lovers will be delighted to hear we will have both White Lake cheeses and Windrush Valley Goat Dairy, British Wine Week continues and there will be more great music.

This year is proving good for fans of asparagus – share your cooking tips and recipe ideas for this delicious vegetable at stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk.