Best buys in fresh fruit and vegetables at Sydney produce sections and markets

Robinpowell.com.au

In now: Queensland strawberry growers specialise in varieties developed for short but sunny days. They are fragrant and sweet and prices will drop as the season builds.

Going soon: The quinces won't last much longer and are at their beautiful, scented best.

Best buy: Pears are valuable additions to the salad platter, whether sliced fresh, pan-fried in butter, or roasted. Packham, beurre bosc and Josephine are all easy to find.

In the vegie patch: Cover the brassica patch with fine netting to prevent white cabbage moths from laying eggs in the developing cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.