The hedgerows are full of surprises: a get-together in pictures

Joanne Mudhar led friends on a “wild food walk” around Oak Tree Farm, a 12-acre plot in Suffolk, which she bought about five years ago. Photograph: Elena Heatherwick

"It’s a great chance to explore what’s in the hedgerow," says Mudhar. "It is an opportunity to collect things such as nettles, elderflower and dandelions, which we then gather to cook with." Photograph: Elena Heatherwick

"There was far to much work on the farm for me to do on my own," says Mudhar. "So I developed a community-supported agricultural scheme where local people get involved in growing and harvesting vegetables on the farm – and the produce is shared among us." Photograph: Elena Heatherwick

Protecting rape plants at the farm from insects. Photograph: Elena Heatherwick

"Everyone is enthusiastic about the farm scheme, and the community has really grown closer," says Mudhar. Photograph: Elena Heatherwick

"There was such a great mix of people, and a lot of young families," says Mudhar. Photograph: Elena Heatherwick

Cabbages under protective netting on Oak Tree Farm. Mudhar says: "This time of year is known as the 'hungry gap', when the winter crops are coming to an end and the spring and summer veg is on its way." Photograph: Elena Heatherwick

A cockerel among the chickens at Oak Tree Farm. Photograph: Elena Heatherwick

"I had noticed that there were a lot of nettles, so had bought the ingredients to make two nettle soups," says Mudhar. "I always pick it with my hands, not wearing gloves, as it’s easier to squeeze the leaves from the stem that way." Photograph: Elena Heathwick

"A lot of people were surprised to find out that nettle soup is actually really delicious," says Mudhar. Photograph: Elena Heatherwick

Elderflower fritters sprinkled with icing sugar for pudding. "The soup took longer to cook than we thought, however, so we ate our pudding before the main course!" says Mudhar. Photograph: Elena Heatherwick