Growing Guides

• 

  HURST GREENSHAFT

  This is the pea by which all others are judged, for it is outstanding in all respects, not least its superb flavour. The long, pointed pods, presented in pairs, each hold about 10 delicious peas. Resistant to disease and capable of long cropping, this high yielder may win you points on the show bench as well as praise in the kitchen.

• 

  SUNDANCE

  Still considered the best sweet corn for early maturity in indifferent summers. The cobs are some 180mm (7in) long and close-packed with sugary kernels of creamy-yellow. Recommended for deep freezing.

• 

  SALAD BOWL RED

  The gorgeous red-tinged bronze leaves of this lovely loose-leaf lettuce are deeply lobed, like an oak leaf, and look very pretty in salads. It's a cut-and-come-again type, so you can pick the outer leaves over several weeks and the heart continues producing more.

• 

  SPITFIRE

  Produces small fruits which are ideal for roasting, use in a pumpkin pie or carving for Halloween decoration. The plants are highly productive producing numerous bright orange pumpkins with firm sweet tasting flesh.