Charentais is one of the easier varieties to grow and perfect for the novice gardener producing very early fruits weighing approximately 1kg. It has a fragrant, thick, extremely sweet and juicy, deep orange flesh. Best grown in the greenhouse in the UK but also particularly suitable for cloche culture. ... Learn More

Galia melons will grow perfectly well in a dry climate, especially on well-draining sandy soil, but early on, the crop requires some moisture in the soil to flourish. Like other melons, it runs along the soil surface as a trailing vine. It grows in a round shape, and is conspicuous by the raised pattern of fine netting on its rough skin. At maturity, it attains 4-6 inches in diameter and usually weighs about 2 to 3 lbs. Inside, the succulent pale green flesh is juicy, and has a soft consistency with a sweet, musky aroma that emanates best in the completely ripe fruits. In addition, it is rich ... Learn More

This is one of the easier varieties to grow, producing sizeable early fruits weighing up to 3kg. With fragrant, thick, extremely sweet and juicy flesh, it has a small seed cavity and light green flesh. The wonderful, vine-ripened flavour of this very sweet, juicy melon is almost wine-like. Best grown in the greenhouse in the UK but is also particularly suitable for cloche culture. ... Learn More

Muskmelon Malaga F1 is a rampant plant, which is resistant to mildew and produces almost perfectly round orange fruit with a characteristic net-like pattern on its skin. The deep orange flesh is thick, juicy and sweet with an aromatic taste. ... Learn More

A very early-maturing plant, producing many small, delicious-flavoured fruits of 4 to 5 inches in diameter. An excellent 'designer' American melon, developed at the University of Minnesota around 1948. ... Learn More

An almost perfectly spherical melon with gentle grooves running from end to end. This popular variety in Israel from ancient Indian/Persian stock, where its name means "anchor". The flesh is pale green with a light orange he around the seed cavity and has a rich aromatic flavour which ensures its enduring popularity. ... Learn More

The gorgeous round fruits of the Melon pear are cream skinned with purple streaks and have deliciously sweet and juicy flesh which is a succulent mixture of honeydew melon and cucumber. It is grown in a manner similar to its relatives such as the tomato, although it grows naturally upright by habit, and can thus be grown as a free-standing bush. Supports are sometimes used to keep the heavy crop of fruit from pulling the plant down. It has a fast growth rate, bearing fruit within 4 to 6 months after planting, and seeds are rarely produced in the UK. Although it is strictly a perennial, making ... Learn More

A Cantaloupe Melon variety, producing rugby ball shaped fruit, typically weighing a couple of pounds. The flesh has a deep orange colour and great flavour. The rind features an attractive combination of fine netting and bright green longitudinal bands. Mildew resistant. ... Learn More

A 17th century French heirloom originally from the garden of the Bishop of Rennes. An early variety which is well adapted to cooler climates. The fruit are smooth-skinned with slight ribbing and weigh about 2 lbs while the orange flesh has a superb sweet flavour, fine texture and delightful scent. ... Learn More

These attractive orange fruits have a refreshing citrus flavour, sometimes described as a combination of rhubarb and lime, and the bright green juice is often used as a drink. Naranjilla are quite delicate plants and need protection from strong winds and direct sunlight, in hot countries growing best in partial shade. The attractive, felted, large green leaves have a warm purply hue, but are covered in sharp prickles, the biggest ones hidden beneath the leaves. Solanum quitoense is native to South America where it is often found at quite high altitudes, but in cultivation, in cooler climes, it ... Learn More

This traditional favourite, named after a small island off the Scottish coast, has a distinctive globe shape with straw coloured skin and white flesh. The bulbs can grow very large and be used for exhibition, while their tolerance to cool weather while growing makes them very reliable. ... Learn More

A traditional Italian variety (known as Cipollini in Italy) with paper-thin, golden skin and firm flesh. The flat shaped bulbs with have a lovely, sweet flavour and are traditionally pickled with sweet balsamic vinegar and sold in Italian delicatessens. They are delicious braised, roasted whole in the oven or cooked in a little butter on the stove top. ... Learn More

A very early hybrid Japanese overwintering variety. Hardy and resilient, it produces globe shaped, uniform bulbs with a good colour to the skin. Good bolting tolerance. ... Learn More

A productive Japanese salad onion, with dark green, erect foliage. Ideal for spring and early summer sowings. Can be left to bulk up for a bulb onion. ... Learn More

A straw coloured variety from Hungary that produces large, broadly oval shaped bulbs. Can be used raw in salads or cooked in a variety of dishes. Bulbs typically weigh 250-350 grams from a spring sowing, but weights can reach up to 1kg if sown in early December, making it ideal for competition and exhibitions. ... Learn More