Here are just a sample of great veggies that can be grown with a little love and
care.
Most of them will do the rest!
Its a good idea to check planting seasons, as they may like to start growing at different
times of the year.
Asparagus
Asparagus does not need traditional wide raised beds, nor is it the luxury crop often
assumed. The plants have very decorative ferny foliage and may be grown in single
rows in the kitchen garden, or even in groups in a flower border. Crowns can be bought
for planting and will start cropping well 1-2 years later, or plants can be raised
from seed. 'Dariana' is a high yielding F1 hybrid which is produces straight, high
quality spears of superb flavour.
Common Name: Asparagus
Genus: Asparagus
Species: officinalis
Cultivar: 'Dariana'
Skill Level: Experienced
Exposure: Full sun
Hardiness: Hardy
Soil type: Well-drained/light
Height: 150cm
Spread: 90cm
Time to divide plants: February to March
Flowering period: August to August
Beetroot
A popular crop, available fresh from spring to autumn, and all winter from store.
There are many kinds, with round, flat, cylindrical or tapered roots, and red, white,
yellow or bi-coloured flesh. They are delicious raw, cooked or pickled, and even
the young leaves are edible. Detroit 2 Little Ball' is a quick growing variety with
deep red, small, ball-shaped roots which are ideal for pickling, bottling and freezing.
For the earliest crops, sow under cloche protection as soon as the soil warms up
at the start of the year. Later crops can be lifted in late autumn and stored in
sand for use during the winter months.
Common Name: Beetroot
Genus: Beta
Species: vulgaris
Cultivar: 'Detroit 2 Little Ball'
Skill Level: Beginner
Exposure: Full sun, Partial shade
Hardiness: Half Hardy
Soil type: Well-drained/light
Height: 30cm
Spread: 25cm
Time to plant seeds: April to June
Carrot
'Rocket' is an early maturing variety which can be sown in frames or under cloches
from February. Bright orange, cylindrical roots are produced, the young ones are
excellent in salads. Carrots are ideal for free-draining soils, such as sandy soils,
which warm up quickly in spring. For an early crop start sowing in March, if weather
permits, in a warm, well-drained spot. Main crop carrots, which are sown from April
to July, are less fussy. Sow seeds thinly, in rows 30cm (12in) apart, to help minimise
thinning out which can attract carrot fly.
Common Name: Carrot
Genus: Daucus
Species: carota
Cultivar: 'Rocket'
Skill Level: Beginner
Exposure: Full sun
Hardiness: Hardy
Soil type: Well-drained/light
Height: 30cm
Spread: 8cm
Time to plant seeds: February to July
Courgette
Fast-growing, highly productive courgette's like 'Orella' are easily grown from seed
in spring, and shoot up quickly in a windowsill pot. Move into a larger size pot,
and then harden off outside through May, bringing them under cover on cold nights.
Plant out in June, having added plenty of organic matter to the soil, but beware
slugs. Water well in dry spells, and pick the yellow fruit when about 10cm long.
If left too long the courgette's swell up, become marrows, lose flavour, and the
plant becomes less productive. The tasty, edible flowers can be used in salads, etc.
Common Name: Courgette
Genus: Cucurbita
Species: pepo
Cultivar: 'Orella'
Skill Level: Beginner
Exposure: Full sun
Hardiness: Tender
Soil type: Well-drained/light
Height: 75cm
Spread: 75cm
Cucumber
All-female cucumber varieties are an advance on older kinds, which needed careful
removal of all male flowers to avoid fertilisation and the resulting bitter fruits.
'Petita' is a popular variety for greenhouse use, tolerant of lower temperatures
and heavy-yielding, the fruits about half the length of normal kinds. Plants are
trained on nets or canes, their tips pinched out when they reach the top resulting
side shoots are tied in and pinched out two leaves beyond a developing fruit. Water
and damp down regularly, and cut fruits before they are too large or yellow.
Common Name: Cucumber
Genus: Cucumis
Species: sativus
Cultivar: 'Petita'
Skill Level: Experienced
Exposure: Full sun
Hardiness: Tender
Soil type: Well-drained/light
Height: 150cm
Spread: 38cm
Time to plant seeds: February to April
Peas
Peas require a sunny, nutrient-rich, moisture-retentive site. Dig over the soil and
add plenty of compost or well-rotted manure - this will help to improve the soil's
moisture-retaining ability during hot, dry summers. Use bamboo canes, trellis or
netting to create supports for plants. Once peas have reached 5-8cm (2-3in) in height
and their tendrils begin to reach out for support, place stakes next to plants. Grow
them as annuals and even try more than one sowing to increase the season's crop.
Common Name: Pea
Genus: Pisum
Species: sativum
Skill Level: Beginner
Exposure: Full sun
Hardiness: Tender
Soil type: Moist
Height: 200cm
Spread: 30cm
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