Damson: From Hedgerow to Harvest - Lynda Hallinan

We love Lynda Hallinan - she lives up the road - pops into store always with a tale to tell and a laugh to have. We also love her books - Lynda Hallinan's fifth book, Damson: From hedgerow to harvest is a 256-page, 55,486 word, 75+ recipe-long love letter to the heirloom English damson plum.

From the garden to the kitchen, Lynda reveals how to propagate, plant, prune and care for this heritage fruit tree, which was first introduced to New Zealand by early settlers in the mid-1880s. Practical chapters cover the damson's genetic history, a variety guide, orchard care and maintenance, the art of pruning and organic pest and disease control.

Damsons are unique among plums, being fully self-fertile (one tree is all you need!), prolific fruiting, easy to prune and full of tangy flavour that's intensified by getting jiggy with sugar and vinegar to make a wide range of sweet and savoury preserves, baking, puddings, marinades, sauces and more.

This cult flavour is enjoying a global culinary renaissance and in Damson: From hedgerow to harvest, Lynda travels the world seeking out fellow damson disciples, from woodturners crafting "tree spoons" to fruit pit carvers, pick-your-own fruit farmers, brewers, bakers and damson ketchup makers.

With dozens of delicious recipes, this is the only book you'll ever need to fill your boots with tangy jams, chutney, cordial, ice cream, Chinese plum sauce, paste, every February, when the fruit is ripe for the picking.  

This beautiful hardcover book features original watercolour illustrations by artist Linden Eller and full-colour photography by British photographer Alun Callender, New Zealand photographer Sally Tagg and Lynda Hallinan.