This month we bring you a simple banana bread recipe - and this works really well with cavendish bananas.

If you are committed to getting into the garden - consider the following tips to get the most of the warmer weather.

As summer approaches it is important to consider how to protect your garden and promote growth.

Cow manure compost is one of the most valuable products that can be added to soil to promote health, build fruit yields and allow better absorption of critical nutrients by your plants.

This month's recipe is a simple three step ice cream that can make excellent use of your home-grown mandarins.

Step 1

Finely grate 1 tablespoon of rind from mandarins, then juice them to get 1/3 cup mandarin juice.

Step 2

Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a small saucepan until combined. Add the butter, mandarin rind and mandarin juice. Stir over medium-high heat for about 8 mins or until mixture thickens and first bubbles appear. Remove from heat immediately and stir for 30 secs to release heat. Pour half into a sterilised jar and seal. Spoon remaining curd into a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, touching surface of curd, and place in the fridge until cold.

Step 3

Remove the ice-cream from freezer and set aside for 5 mins to soften slightly. Add scoops of ice-cream alternating with dollops of mandarin curd to a 1.5L freezerproof dish. Create swirls with a butter knife. Cover with plastic wrap and press down to level and remove any gaps. Freeze for 3 hrs or until firm. Serve in cones or with biscuits.

​You can keep this ice cream in the freezer for up to 3 months.