Direct Sow In Autumn

Choy Sum is one of the most popular vegetables in China and is now also widely used in the western world. With tender, delicious stems and flower buds, the flavour can be described as midway between cabbage and spinach. Choy Sum 'Gunsho' is a vigorous and productive 80 day type.

Instantly recognisable in Cantonese cuisine. Choy Sum 'Purple Stem' is an absolute fabulous vegetable. You use the whole plant: Flowers, buds, leaves and stems, and if allowed to mature and bolt, yellow flowers will shoot and the plant becomes sweeter and more succulent.

Vit is an easy to grow, vigorous variety for spring and autumn crops. This French variety is mildew-resistant with long, oval, glossy green leaves which form a heavy bunch, They have a tender, delicate nutty, minty flavour. An excellent winter gap filler, both in the vegetable garden and at the dining table.

Corn Salad 'Verte de Cambrai' is a traditional old French variety, the compact plants have good colour and small leaf shape. It is among the softest and most tender of all greens, the leaves have a sweet buttery flavour which almost melt in the mouth.

Once very popular for winter salads, Land Cress has the same pungent nip that Watercress does but can be grown directly in the garden. Leaf production is at it's highest during the summer and autumn, but it will happily carry on growing right through the winter. It deserves to be far more widely grown.

An often forgotten herb, Galium odoratum can be a valuable addition to the garden, particularly shaded gardens. Soft green leaves are carried in whorls on stems and when its small white vanilla-scented flowers appear above this lush carpet in May and June, the effect is enchanting.

Green Manure “General Mix” is designed to provide a short term mix for use throughout the year. The plants have nitrogen fixing properties and provide a mix of bulky foliage that add organic matter. improving the texture of the soil and suppressing weeds.

‘Landsberger’ is the ultimate in winter green manure. Deep rooting and an excellent nitrogen fixer. With prolific growth it is an excellent ground cover. This highly esteemed mix is suitable for overwintering and can be sown throughout autumn until November.

A high quality White Mustard variety, this cool season, fast growing crop produces large volumes of green matter and residual fibre. It is particularly good for soil that lacks organic matter as it helps to improve soil texture and moisture retention. Sow to September.

Rye is one of the best green manures for winter use, it is the best cool-season cereal cover for absorbing soil nitrogen and gives good crop cover to help prevent nutrient leaching, it provides exceptional weed suppression. Sow to November.

Green Manure 'Spring Mix’ is designed for maximum germination at low temperatures, this fast growing cover adds both nitrogen and the maximum amount of organic matter to the soil. Includes English Vetch and Mustard White Tilney. Sow from March to September.

Tares and Rye are a traditional combination as they work well together. Used particularly in crop rotation prior to planting leafy crops such as brassicas, this two-way mix guarantees biomass, builds soil and leaves readily available nitrogen for hungry crops. Sow in spring or as late as November.

As a green manure Tares are an excellent choice for heavy soils, they produce a lot of bulky foliage that suppresses weeds, adds organic matter and improves the texture of the soil. Easy to dig in, this hardy annual can be sown in spring to dig in later in summer or sown in autumn to overwinter.

Green Manure ‘Winter Mix’ is a specially formulated mix suitable for sowing in in autumn and for digging in during spring. It is a good all-round mix, containing four plants that each have different properties: Italian Rye, Crimson clover, Mustard White Tilney and Red Clover.

Forage Pea Green Manure is a fast growing member of the legume family. An excellent nitrogen fixer, it is suitable for most soil types, including heavy soil. Ideal for sowing late in the season; they are excellent for over wintering and can be sown from September to November.

Kale 'F1 Oldenbor' is a frost resistant medium-tall variety with beautiful medium-green coloured, finely curled leaves. Disease resistant with uniform plant growth, it is unsurpassed for extra-mild, sweet Kale tang. Ultra-hardy, it is suitable for autumn and winter harvest. 28 days for baby kale; 60 days mature.

The thing I love about kale the most is not its superfood qualities, its lovely bright green leaves or the sweet cabbagey taste. I love kale simply because it is there when I need it. Kale Kapral is a medium early variety. Tremendously hardy, it will defy anything that winter can conjure up.

With deeply cut, slate green oak-like leaves ‘Red Russian’ is one of the tenderest and sweetest kales available. Sow under cover in autumn for baby leaves after four to six weeks, or directly outdoors for over-wintering. This hardy crop can provide nutritious leaves even in the depths of winter.

Some years ago, we knew kale as a hearty winter meal, suddenly its popularity soared and ‘Kale Madness’ erupted. Now available in all manner of shapes, sizes and colours. 'Scarlet Curled' Kale is a highly attractive and ultra-hardy variety, the leaves intensify in colour turning to violet-red after a few frosts.