This famous, long-lived tree opens its clusters of extremely fragrant white flowers, followed by big ovoid fruits which are green when young, and later ripen to bright yellow. As well as producing a large crop of fruit, it also makes the ultimate architectural courtyard plant in warmer countries, or is perfect in a container on a patio conservatory or cold greenhouse specimen as it can tolerate temperatures down to -5C. ... Learn More

This Tuscany heirloom has long red bottle-shaped bulbs with an excellent mild-sweet flavour, so is particularly suited for use raw in salads. Can either be pulled young as spring onions or allowed to mature for August cropping. ... Learn More

Also known as Green Top Stone, this high yielding, hardy variety produces a heavy crop of large cream-white rounded turnips with a delicate flavour. They are easy to grow, store well in winter and can be planted late and then eaten throughout winter and spring. ... Learn More

A very reliable English heirloom outdoor ridge variety of cucumber with good resistance to cucumber Mosaic Virus and mildew, which also tolerate dry conditions, making them easy to grow. They produce rich, prickly, emerald green cylindrical fruits with a high, continuous yield. ... Learn More

An early outdoor British ridge cucumber. This reliable cultivar produces heavy yields of 8 inch long, plump, dark green-skinned cucumbers. The flesh is crisp and white and perfect when sliced up in summer salads. ... Learn More

Minipop is delicious lightly steamed or stir-fried, and is also lovely raw in dips or salads as pre-dinner dips. It does not need to be sown in blocks and should be harvested when the silk tassels begin to show prior to pollination. ... Learn More

This famous and delicious Scottish 19th century heirloom variety of winter leek has large, very thick stems which have a fantastic sweet yet mild flavour. This variety is winter hardy and is slow to bolt. ... Learn More

With a mild yet tangy flavour and crunchy texture, this superb leaf is perfect for salads, producing deeply serrated leaves in profusion. Very easy and fast to grow, it is ready to eat just a couple of weeks from sowing! It is a very early productive salad for unheated greenhouses and also outdoor use in spring and autumn, making a rosette of lobed leaves with a tangy spinach flavour. ... Learn More

This very resilient, easy to grow kale is resistant to heat and aphids and is high in fibre, iron and vitamins. The dark, deliciously flavoured, emerald-green loose leaves, which appear an eye-catching black at a distance, are perfect in many cooked dishes, or when small in salads. ... Learn More

Vitamin-filled New Zealand spinach is milder tasting than its distant relation 'true spinach' and does not bolt in dry soils, making a triangular-leaved bush spreading 2-3 feet in all directions. (Discovered by Captain Cook in the 18th century!) ... Learn More

This compact aubergine is ideal for growing in a large pot on a patio or where space is tight. The two foot tall dwarf plants produce lots of egg-sized, baby aubergines. The fruit have no bitter after taste and store well after picking. ... Learn More

A traditional variety of open pollinated Savoy cabbage, Ormskirk has a medium-sized, compact head surrounded by the typical crinkled leaves and a fine, almost nutty flavour. The plants are quite hardy and can be harvested from Christmas onwards when many other vegetables are scarce. ... Learn More

A dual-purpose variety producing lots of nearly round green striped courgettes, which are a great for kebabs. These fruits can also be left to mature into small marrows, which are perfect stuffed. A neat spine-free bush habit. Perfect for containers. ... Learn More

Grow your own popcorn from start to finish. This very-best strain is as easy to grow as ordinary sweetcorn and will teach the kids where it comes from too. All it needs is a warm sunny patch in your garden and it will keep the kids amused all summer long! Simply harvest the cobs when ripe, strip the dry seeds and toss into a pan of hot oil. Don't forget the lid!! ... Learn More

This unusual deep purple form of the classic tomatillo verde makes a salsa with a difference. The fruits are still tart but with a little more sweetness than the standard green variety. The anthocyanins, which give the fruit its purple colouring, are a good source of antioxidants. The fruit turn purple in patches on the plant but become more uniformly purple if the fruit is exposed to sunlight on a windowsill after harvesting. The husks turn from green to buff as the fruit matures on the plant and make a fascinating garnish. ... Learn More