This variety of chicory, a round red ball type chicory from Chioggia Italy, (Cicoria variegata de Chioggia) well-known for its compactness size and flavour, has very good winter hardiness. Round headed, greenish leaves turn a reddish-white and variegate as colder weather beckons and the heart formation becomes more noticeable. Leaves can be boiled to remove bitterness, whilst fresh chicory leaves add zest to a mixed salad. ... Learn More

The quality of these bright green spears with deep purple tips, and huge yield, is exceptional for a non hybrid. One of the most sought-after vegetables, asparagus is not difficult to grow if kept well-fed and weed-free, the delicately flavoured young shoots of asparagus being one of the great luxuries of the vegetable plot. Plants remain productive for at least 15 to 20 years. Plant this perennial vegetable just once and enjoy the succulent spears for years! RHS AGM winner. ... Learn More

A superb main-crop variety of Parsnip which is known for its uniform, conical, white-skinned roots. Its flavour and taste are first rate and it is noted for its vigour and heavy yield. This hybrid is resistant to disease and adaptable to a wide range of soils and conditions. (RHS AGM winner) ... Learn More

This ancient English fruit has vibrant dark blue skin and a strong flavour, and is not sweet until it is entirely ripe. Very similar to plums, it is very juicy, but its moment of glory comes when it is cooked, the heat drawing the juice out of the dusky skins and with it the most extraordinary depth of flavour. They are superb for making jam or jelly and are amongst the heaviest cropping trees in existence, the groaning branches often breaking under the weight of fruit in the autumn. ... Learn More

A high quality Bedfordshire variety of mid-late main crop Brussels Sprouts which produces a heavy yield of large, fine-flavoured, deep green sprouts from late November and on through the winter, even in the harshest weather. ... Learn More

One of the earliest and most reliable spring cabbages, Durham Early produces dark green medium-sized conical heads with good texture and tasty flavour. The tender leaves can be picked early for spring greens. ... Learn More

Earlibird is an excellent, early-maturing, super-sweet hybrid, early variety producing 3 or more high-quality cobs, typically 8" in length. Along with Swift, this is probably the best variety to grow in most UK situations. ... Learn More

This incredible multi-coloured variety was developed from traditional Indian corn and produces long cobs with kernels of yellow, red, black, purple, pink, even marbled! The corn grows to of a height of between 1.5m and 2.0m. The cobs are often used for decorative purposes but the kernels are completely edible if you want a change from uniform cobs. In fact this makes great pop corn. Just brush the cob with butter and put the cob in a microwaveable dish with cling film on top into the microwave. ... Learn More

Garlic a native of central Asia is a close relative of the onion, shallot, leek and chives. Dating back over 6,000 years, garlic has long been a staple food in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent seasoning in Asia, Africa, and Europe. It helps reduce heart disease, lowers cholesterol levels, and mildly lowers blood pressure. It was known to Ancient Egyptians, and has been used throughout its history for both culinary and medicinal purposes. (8 cloves per packet). ... Learn More

One of the most beautiful of the passionflowers, this beauty opens its large, fragrant flowers with deep red petals and a centre crown that contains five rows of numerous white and purple rays. Large leaves hang from stems that are quadrangular in cross section, hence its botanical name. It produces the most enormous fruits of all of the passion fruits, which grow very rapidly, and may weigh up to 4 kg (9 lb) turning to medium yellow when mature. For best fruiting, flowers should be hand pollinated. The ripe fruit is eaten fresh or used in drinks whilst unripe, green fruit is eaten as a vegetable. It is quite hardy, surviving temperatures down to 1°C (35°F) for short periods of time. In warm areas it can be cultivated in home gardens, or it can even be kept as a greenhouse or indoor container plant, and grown in a sunny south-facing window. ... Learn More

Very large variety of heirloom spinach. Plants spread to 25". Good yielding crop with thick but tender leaves. This spinach variety also produces a succulent heart. Can be used for steaming or salads. A versatile variety which is suitable for all gardeners. ... Learn More

A heavy-yielding Italian heirloom. Giant Winter has glossy, large, dark green, lance-shaped, semi-savoy leaves with a fine flavour and tender texture. This extremely cold hardy variety is ideal for early spring or autumn sowing. ... Learn More

Very hardy, dwarf, compact plants produce round roots with tender, yellow, mild-flavoured flesh and with outstanding keeping and exhibition qualities. Golden Ball is the best of the main crops, according to some experts and is recommended by the National Institute of Agricultural Botany. ... Learn More

This favourite heirloom (1884) variety produces creamy white stalks which are tender, brittle, high quality and plentiful with a deliciously sweet mild taste. They are easy to grow and self blanching, making them a lot easier than other varieties which require constant of attention. ... Learn More

Delicious sweet fruits, the size of damsons, ripen in mid summer on these easy-to-grow plants. They are best left on the bush until they turn yellow when they lose their sharpness turning very sweet. These delicious fruits can be grown in a wide variety of climates , and are especially valuable because of their extreme hardiness. Gooseberries can be preserved in the form of jams, or stored in sugar syrup. In the UK they were particularly popular before fruit was imported in quantity from elsewhere, as they constituted the first available fresh fruit of the year. Some of the popular uses are for desserts, pies, fools and crumbles. ... Learn More