| | Plant | Number | Spacing | Spacing in Rows | Notes |
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Asparagus
Mondeo
| 8 | 45cm | 45cm x 45cm | These crowns went into the ground in 2012 so this year, we restrained our picking to just "tasters". It's important to allow the crowns to develop for good cropping in later years. |
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Asparagus
Gelph milenium
| 8 | 45cm | 45cm x 45cm | These crowns went into the ground in 2012 so this year, we restrained our picking to just "tasters". It's important to allow the crowns to develop for good cropping in later years. |
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Beans (Broad)
Robin Hood
| 10 | 20cm | 15cm x 30cm | 9th April: 12 beans sown outside under matting.
24/4 seeds showing. Planted in ground 13/4: Green seeded variety, Abundant crops of short pods,containing up to 6 beans. Neat habit ideal for growing in patio containers or vegetable garden. Ideal for freezing and won't discolour. In mild areas, Broad Bean 'Robin Hood' can be autumn sown for earlier crops the following year. Height: 35cm (14"). Spread: 25cm (10").
August: I shan't grow broad beans again because they are relatively light croppers for my smallish veg. plot. Instead, I shall concentrate on runner beans and french beans. |
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Beans (French)
Sansoucy
| 16 | 20cm | 15cm x 30cm | Alan Titmarsh recommended. Pods grow above foliage. Dwarf variety. Height: 45cm (18"). Spread: 30cm (12").
August: Although they seemed difficult to get going, these beans are heavy croppers. However, we must learn to pick them when no more than about 3 inches long to get best taste. |
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Beans (Runner)
Moonlight
| 2 | 20cm | 15cm x 30cm | 23rd April: 2 seeds planted in ground and 2 plants in ground from indoor starting on.9th April: 3 beans sown in pots inside. 9th April: 3 beans sown in pots inside.
Excellent self-pollinator: sets well, even in poor conditions. A unique Runner/French cross. Height: 3m (10). Spread: 30cm (12").
August: Good starting crop but reluctant to keep going. Perhaps this was due to insufficient feeding and watering? |
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Beans (Runner)
Monte Cristo
| 2 | 20cm | 15cm x 30cm | Climbing Bean 'Monte Cristo'
Phaseolus vulgaris, French Bean, Green Bean
Half-hardy Annual
New in 2014
High-yielding variety
New breeding has produced this tasty French bean which crops heavily over a long picking season. The tender, bright green pods grow up to 25cm (10") in length, remaining stringless and crisp even if harvesting is delayed for a few days. Early to crop, Climbing Bean 'Monte Cristo' is an essential addition to the vegetable plot. Height: 180cm (70"). Spread: 30cm (12").
Sow climbing bean seeds indoors from mid April for transplanting later on, or direct sow outdoors from late May to July.
Indoors, sow bean seeds at a depth of 2cm (1") in 7.5cm (3") pots or trays of free-draining, seed sowing compost. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a plastic bag at a temperature of 12-25C (54-77F) until germination, which takes 7-10 days. Do not exclude light as this helps germination. Once germinated, grow on in cooler conditions until all risk of frost has passed and the climbing bean plants are large enough to be transplanted. Gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over 7 - 10 days before planting French beans outdoors in rich fertile, well drained soil in full sun with protection from strong winds.
Alternatively direct sow French beans outdoors when the soil as warmed. Sow 2 bean seeds per station at a depth of 5cm (2") and a distance of 23cm (9") apart. Plant Climbing beans in rows that are 60cm (24") apart, or where space is limited, try growing climbing beans onto a wigwam structure. Climbing beans require support from garden canes, strings or netting which should be put in place at the time of planting. |
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Beetroot
Rainbow Beet
| 22 | 15cm | 10cm x 20cm | 24/4 2 short rows planted in ground. New for 2014: 5 variety mix.Sliced fresh for salad. Leaves and stems also good similar to Chard. Height: 30cm (12in). Spread: 15cm (6in).
August: Crop grew well - but I'm not sure I would give the space to beetroot again. I prefer to buy the pre-bottled baby beets. |
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Blackcurrant
Ben Sarek
| 1 | 90cm | 90cm x 90cm | We harvested by cutting off all the fruiting branches because its easier! This left no branches at the end of 2013 harvest but by January 2014, new 6" growth had appeared.
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Broccoli (Purple)
Apollo F1
| 5 | 60cm | 60cm x 60cm | 9th April: 5 sown in pots inside.
Cut central stem first to get side shoots.
Height: 60cm (24"). Spread: 75cm (30").
August: Don't bother with this again. 4 plants got invaded with cabbage white butterflies or flea beetles. |
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Carrot
Flyaway
| 54 | 10cm | 10cm x 15cm | Same as last year. Excellent and no bother with carrot fly. Height: 30cm (12"). Spread: 15cm (6").
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Courgette
Black Forest F1
| 1 | 60cm | 60cm x 60cm | With a unique climbing habit Courgette 'Black Forest' makes a great space saving variety for growing in containers on the patio. The long stems will need tying onto a trellis or netting to gently train them upwards. Courgette Black Forest will produce heavy yields of dark green, smooth, cylindrical 15cm (6) courgettes if picked regularly throughout the summer. Height: 120cm (48"). Spread: 60cm (24").
August: Definitely grow again but on the patio or against the back fence opposite the kitchen door (if enough sun!). But it does need a strongish fence for its suppot. |
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Flower
Clematis Polish Spirit
| 1 | 20cm | 15cm x 20cm | Prune Feb/March |
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Flower
Orientalis
| 1 | 20cm | 15cm x 20cm | Prune Feb/March |
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Flower
Clematis Francis Rivis
| 1 | 20cm | 15cm x 20cm | No need to prune |
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Flower
Clematis Avalanche
| 1 | 20cm | 15cm x 20cm | No need to prune |
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Flower
Clematis Celebration
| 1 | 20cm | 15cm x 20cm | Prune after Spring flowering
To keep the large flowers and bright yellow leaves DO NOT FEED. |
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Gooseberry
Hinnonmaki Red
| 1 | 90cm | 90cm x 90cm | Sharp thorns; Fruit freezes well. |
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Leek
Musselburgh
| 16 | 20cm | 15cm x 30cm | 9th April: 16 sown in pots inside.
Produces heavy crops of short, thick stems with an excellent flavour and tender texture. Hardy: stands well in even the coldest winter weather. Height: 45cm (18). Spread: 30cm (12). |
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Lettuce (Loose Leaf)
Mazurosso
| 10 | 10cm | 10cm x 15cm | 9th April: 2 rows sown outside.
As lettuce Mazur but reddish leaves rather than green. |
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Lettuce (Loose Leaf)
Mazur
| 30 | 10cm | 10cm x 15cm | 9th April: 2 rows sown outside.
Loose-leaf lettuce: Outstanding in trials, Good resistance to downy mildew. Tolerance to tipburn and bolting. Height: 20cm (8). Spread: 30cm (12).
August: Excellent lettuce. Seems resistant to bolting. Cut and come again type. Nice crisp taste. |
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Marrow
Badger Cross F1
| 1 | 60cm | 60cm x 60cm | Badger Cross produces prolific crops. Excellent resistance to Cucumber Mosaic Virus. Height: 45cm (18"). Spread: 90cm (35"). |
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Radish
Rainbow Mixed
| 70 | 10cm | 10cm x 20cm | 24/4 2 short rows planted in ground. New for 2014: Purple, red, white and gold radishes: contain crisp, white flesh. Quick growing: Can be harvested in 28 days from sowing. Height: 15cm (6"). Spread: 10cm (4").
August: A good crop but really need to grow near the house in troughs with staggered planting times so as to control harvesting. They take about 4 weeks from seed planting to harvest. |
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Spring Onion
Ishikura
| 51 | 10cm | 10cm x 10cm | 9th April: 2 rows sown outside.
24/4 seeds showing from planting in ground 13/4. Perennial oriental bunching onion. The stems can be earthed up to produce leek-like stems. Onion 'Ishikura' can be harvested when pencil-thin or left to grow as thick as a mature carrot. No need for successive sowings. Height: 30cm (12"). Spread: 23cm (9"). But because this is a perennial, I need less of them so I should sow another type of spring onion.
August: These ishikura spring onions are best grown in groups I.e. plant about 8-9 seeds in a single hole then leave 3" and plant another group etc. Harvest a complete group at a time. |
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Sweetcorn
Swift F1
| 12 | 35cm | 30cm x 45cm | This is the same one as last year which did very well. Growing in a different place.
August: Swift plants now about 7' tall and good showing of early cobs. |
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Sweetcorn
Mirai 003
| 9 | 35cm | 30cm x 45cm | Supersweet variety - cobs up to 15cm (6") "Performs well in containers in our trials". Height: 200cm (79). Height: 45cm (18).
August: Mirai now about 7'6" tall and showing average 3 early cobs per plant. I'd say we shall be picking these in about 2-3 weeks.
Beware ear worms which ate the tops of many of the cobs at the end of harvest last year. |
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Swiss Chard
White Silver 2
| 4 | 35cm | 30cm x 40cm | "Grow as a salad leaf, or more usually as mature plants for the thick, white, juicy stems (chards), which are cut into chunks and boiled, or used to add 'crunch' to stir-fries. Use the delicious leaves like spinach. A final sowing in August will crop through to New Year.Alan Tichmarsh recommended."
August: 6 plants have given a good harvest and more to come despite low rainfall. Very versatile to use E.g.
1) Stalks finely cut with leaves wilted in frying pan 5-6 mins and egg poached on top.
2) As above but omit the egg and replace with grated cheese and crispy bacon.
3) Fresh cut into salads - leaves and chards (stalks). |
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