The Lorraine Lee rose has climbed beyond the trellis and the Gertrude Jekyll is rambling over the house, and although the carrots and silverbeet continue to flourish, Stephanie Alexander names the broad beans her star crop this month.

Nothing beats a spring picnic, so we've rounded up some of our best recipes to pack up and enjoy in the sunshine.

Canapés, finger food, jugs of cocktails – it’s party time.