The tomato is the edible, often red berry-type fruit of the nightshade family (Solanum lycopersicum). The tomato is consumed in diverse ways, including raw, as an ingredient in many dishes, sauces, salads, and drinks. There is no such thing as too many tomatoes it is just not possible to grow too many,we tend to grow 60 or more plants and start with more than a hundred seedlings. We usually save some of our own seed but also buy in some new varieties from year to year or accept gifts from our neighbours and visitors. While its possible to buy them year round in supermarkets when you decide to eat seasonally…

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is an edible flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae native to central and western Asia. It is an annual plant (rarely biennial), which grows up to 30 cm tall. Spinach may survive over winter in temperate regions. Ours does survive but only if we transplant it in to the poly-tunnel or the greenhouse. Sowing Months: March, April, May, June, July Position: sun or semi shade, dappled shade We also have to be very careful in the summer to keep it well watered or it will go to seed because of this we also grow another variety. Perpetual Spinach  (Beta vulgaris) Hardy Biennial so not truly perpetual but it does…

Aubergine (Solanum melongena) is a species of nightshade grown for its edible fruit. Eggplant” is the common name in North American and Australian English but British English uses “aubergine” as do the French. Other common names are melongene, garden egg or guinea squash. The fruit is widely used in cooking. As a member of the genus Solanum, it is related to both the tomato and the potato. It was originally domesticated from the wild nightshade species. How to sow: In pot under cover, we use our greenhouse from February to sow all frost tender seeds. Transplant into full sun once the last frost has occurred. We use our poly-tunnel for…

A gardeners’ favourite. Broad been ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ is the best broad bean for autumn sowing, overwintering plants on the plot outside, for an early harvest the following spring. Slender pods of 23cm (9″) long, are full of succulent white seeded flavoursome beans. Height: 100cm (39″). Spread: 45cm (18″). How to sow: Direct sow broad bean seed under cloches in February, or without protection from March to April. For particularly early crops some varieties of broad beans may also be sown outdoors under cloches from early autumn to late winter. Grow beans in full sun on rich fertile, well-manured soil with protection from strong winds. Plant broad beans in double rows…

Portulaca oleracea(common purslane, also known as pigweed, little hogweed, red root, pursley, and moss rose) is an annual succulent in the family Portulacaceae, which may reach 40 centimetres (16 in) in height. Approximately forty varieties are currently  cultivated It has smooth, reddish, mostly prostrate stems and alternate leaves clustered at stem joints and ends. The yellow flowers have five regular parts and are up to 6 millimetres (0.24 in) wide. Depending upon rainfall, the flowers appear at any-time during the year. The flowers open singly at the centre of the leaf cluster for only a few hours on sunny mornings. Seeds are formed in a tiny pod, which opens when the seeds are…