Fresh now

At its best Chervil grows slowly over winter, but Chris Grant, of Central Highland Herbs, says it flourishes in spring.

Plan ahead Want an ethically raised, local ham or turkey on your Christmas table? Small producers have limited stock, so place orders at farmers' markets in the coming weeks.

In now Thanks to some warm weather in August, Mark Rathbone, of Save Our Soil, has plentiful supplies of his biodynamic broccoli and broccoli shoots.

In the vege patch Minimise pests and disease by not planting the same crop in the same spot for consecutive seasons.

Accredited farmers' markets Saturday, October 5: Echuca, Golden Plains (Bannockburn), Kingston (Highett), Koonwarra, Sunraysia (Mildura), Veg Out (St Kilda), Woodend; Sunday, October6: Castlemaine, Hurstbridge, Flemington, Tallarook.

Sophie O'Neil, vicfarmersmarkets.org.au