Sweet Pepper “Beauty Bell”

A sweet pepper variety producing large thick-walled square shaped fruits of dark green that turn brilliant red once matured.

Sow: December – March (for very early crops sow late-Nov), indoors in pots/trays of quality compost.
Germination: 18C-21C (64F-70F), within 8-21 days
Grow: Once large enough to handle, prick out seedlings into their own individual pot. Once 10cm tall, transplant to the greenhouse in growbags or 25cm-pots making sure to space 40cm apart.
Harvest: July – October

Tip: Green Peppers are immature fruits, but perfectly edible — they turn bright red and sweeter as they mature

Tomato
“Moneymaker”

A tasty and very productive ‘indeterminate’ variety (continues to grow, flower, and set fruit until killed by the first autumn frost).

Sow: January – April (for very early crops sow late-Nov), indoors in pots/trays of quality compost at a depth of 0.5cm
Germination: 18C (64F), within 7-14 days
Grow: Once large enough to handle, prick out seedlings into individual pots. Transplant to the greenhouse, or outside if all threat of frost has passed, when 20cm tall at a spacing of 50cm
Harvest: July – October

Tip: Remove the side shoots or ‘suckers’ for improved yields

Cherry Tomato “Garden Pearl”

Delicious, rosy-red, cherry-size fruits. Ideal for growing in hanging baskets. Early to crop, and continues with vigor all season.

Sow: January – April (for very early crops sow late-Nov), indoors in pots/trays of quality compost at a depth of 0.5cm
Germination: 18C (64F), within 7-14 days
Grow: Once large enough to handle, prick out seedlings into pots. Once 15cm tall, transplant to hanging baskets/containers, but only move outdoors once the risk of frost has completely passed
Harvest: July – October

Tip: Plants have a bushy habit and do not require side shooting

Onion
“Ailsa Craig”

A heavy cropper of quality and flavourful globe-shaped bulbs.

Sow: February – April, early-sowing to be done indoors in pots; late-sowing direct into drills 1.5cm deep, 30cm apart
Germination: 10C (50F), within 7-10 days
Grow: Gradually harden early-sowings outside in April, before transplanting out after the threat of frost has passed
Harvest: August – September

Tip: Onions require fertile soil. Use plenty of compost

Beetroot
“Detroit Globe”

Deep red flesh, marvellous flavour and stores very well. Easy to grow, and far tastier than shop bought beets.

Sow: March – July, in drills 1.5cm deep, rows 30cm apart
Germination: 10C (50F), within 12-14 days
Grow: Thin to 10cm apart as after sprouting
Harvest: June – December (depending on planting time)

Carrot
“Resistafly”

Deep red flesh, marvellous flavour and stores very well. Easy to grow, and far tastier than shop bought beets.

Sow: October – July, direct outdoors 2cm deep, rows 30cm apart
Germination: at least 13C (55F), within 7-21 days
Grow: Try to avoid thinning, ‘carrot fly’ is attracted by the smell
Harvest: June – December (depending on planting time)

Tip: Carrots seedlings do not transplant at all, sow direct

Radish
“Cherry Belle”

Cherry shaped and coloured, this variety has a crisp white flesh that is slow to turn woody. A delicious mild flavor.

Sow: January – December, in drills 1.5cm deep, rows 30cm apart
Germination: 13C (55F), within 7-10 days
Grow: Minimal effort required. In winter, grow in a greenhouse or indoors. Note, radish do not transplant well.
Harvest: 4 weeks after sowing

Tip: Water regularly to avoid split roots

Broccoli
“Purple Sprouting”

A very hardy variety. Popular, too. Produces an abundance of dark purple spears in March, which turn green on cooking.

Sow: April – May, in trays or directly into a well-prepared seed bed 2cm deep in rows 15cm apart
Germination: at least 10C (50F), within 7-14 days
Grow: As the seedlings appear, thin to one per compartment of the seed tray or 7cm apart if sown directly outside. Once 10cm tall, transplant to the final growing site at 60cm between plants.
Harvest: March – May (the following year)

Tip: Harvest as soon as the spears look well formed but before they open. Pick the central spear first to encourage side shoots.

Cauliflower
“All Year Round”

A reliable cauliflower, producing large curds surrounded by succulent dark green leaves. 

Sow: January – May, or September – October, in trays or directly into a well-prepared seed bed 2cm deep in rows 60cm apart
Germination: at least 13C (55F), within 7-14 days
Grow: As the seedlings appear, thin to one per compartment of the seed tray or 7cm apart if sown directly outside. Once 15cm tall, transplant to the final growing site at 45cm between plants.
Harvest: March – October (depending on planting time)

Tip: Harden off young plants before transplanting outside. Also, autumn sowings should be overwintered in a cold frame.

Brussels Sprout
“Long Island”

An old Heirloom variety of 60-70cm tall, producing stout stems of closely spaced sweet sprouts over a long growing season.

Sow: March – April, thinly in trays indoors (under glass). Later sowings can be made directly into a seed bed in drills 2cm deep in rows 90cm apart
Germination: at least 8C (45F), within 7-12 days
Grow: Transplant indoor seedlings into bigger pots or trays (5cm apart). Once 15cm tall, gradually harden off and plant out in beds at 60cm between plants and 90cm between rows.
Harvest: November – January

Tip: Plant sprouts in firmed soil to stop them falling over

Aubergine
“Black Beauty”

A sweet pepper variety producing large thick-walled square shaped fruits of dark green that turn brilliant red once matured.

Sow: December – March (for very early crops sow late-Nov), indoors in pots/trays of quality compost.
Germination: 18C-21C (64F-70F), within 8-21 days
Grow: Once large enough to handle, prick out seedlings into their own individual pot. Once 10cm tall, transplant to the greenhouse in growbags or 25cm-pots making sure to space 40cm apart.
Harvest: July – October

Tip: Green Peppers are immature fruits, but perfectly edible — they turn bright red and sweeter as they mature