February

The original Marketmore was released in 1968, it is now firmly established as one of the 'Greats' in the cucumber world, very reliable and disease resistant it produces a large amount of fruit which usually grow to over 20cm in length Perfect for salads and with fresh, crisp and mild flavour.

Lemon Cucumbers are a very old variety cultivated since in 1894. Each fruit is the size of a small apple, hence it was known as 'Apple Cucumber', but as its fruit is a pale yellow in colour it is often called 'Crystal Lemon'. Very similar to a typical cucumber, with tender pale greenish skin and sweet flesh.

F1 Burpless Tasty Green: According to most experts, this is the one to choose. The fruits are not giants, harvest when they are about 23cm long and enjoy the crisp, juicy flesh from which both bitterness and indigestibility have been eradicated. Very easy to grow.

Native to the eastern Mediterranean, Costmary leaves have an aroma which has been described as like garden mint with hints of balsam. Costmary is one of the most interesting and complex of all herbs, it can be used for many purposes, culinary, medicinal aromatherapy or ornamental.

Coriander is not one of the world's favourite flavourings, it's two of them. This dual purpose herb is grown both for its seeds or fresh young leaves. 'Santo' is probably the best variety of coriander for leaf production as the plant combines very slow bolting with an upright habit and excellent flavour.

Coriander 'Leisure' has been bred specifically for large, flavoursome leaf production, a particularly fine variety of superb quality. Extra slow bolting, it is particularly suited to hot weather regions. It is an excellent herb for slightly shaded areas, is very easy to grow and makes a good window box herb.

Coriander 'Slobolt' is a variety for leaf production that is resistant to bolting and running to seed. It isn't a hard plant to grow and of course, fresh herbs and spices have far better flavours than dried ones. Home grown herbs are infinitely superior, the difference can be quite startling.

To the organic gardener, Comfrey is invaluable. It’s easy to grow, easy to use and incredibly beneficial to the garden. Leaves can be used as a top dressing or chopped and mixed with leaf mould to make a base for potting compost. You can make your own organic liquid feed or use as a compost activator.

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.

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.

One of the most instantly recognisable vegetables in Cantonese cuisine. Choy Sum ‘Fuubi’ is one of the most uniform and productive, widely grown by the specialist producers of this crop. This slow flowering, late maturing variety is tolerant of low temperatures. It has good holding ability with deep green leaves and a quality stem that is smooth and fleshy.

These easy to grow chives are one of the famous fines herbes of French cuisine. Easily raised from seed, they are perennial bulbs that spread to form neat tufted clumps, ideal for edging beds and paths. They are particularly attractive when in flower and are a favourite of bees and other pollinating insects.

Chervil 'Massa' has a sophisticated yet gentle, aniseedy warmth. It is a dark green selection with smooth leaves and good plant vigour, it has better cold tolerance than standard Chervil and is used for autumn sowings, it also bolts much later.

Camomile is a most useful plant. It can be used to make beautiful lawns and raised beds, an infusion of the plant is an ideal family remedy, calming and sedative, perfect for restlessness or travel sickness, while for gardeners the tea is effective as a spray to prevent 'damping-off' of seedlings