September

Humulus lupulus, is a climbing hardy herbaceous perennial. The Hops are actually the female flower cones or 'strobiles' of the plant. Hops are used as a sedative and relaxant, sleeping on a pillow filled with hops is said to help insomnia. Leaves and shoots are eaten either cooked or in salads, the flavour is said to be delicious.

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.

Kale 'Black Magic' is an improved Italian Black Kale, bred to be more tender with better flavour. The winter hardy plants more cold tolerant, vigorous and slower-to-bolt than other Italian kales. They form an easy-to-harvest rosette of very dark, savoyed leaves with a flavour that is rich and mild.

Until recently Cavolo Nero, or 'Tuscan Kale', was one of Italy's best kept secrets. Simply adored, especially in the north of Italy, it has been an essential fare of traditional dishes for centuries. Cavolo Nero can now be found in garden markets, specialist greengrocers and trendy restaurants throughout Europe.

Bulls Blood 'Atlanta Red' is a heat tolerant summer variety which holds its magnificent red colour in high temperatures. Used by commercial growers for both baby leaf and mixed salad leaves, this dual purpose variety can be harvested at any stage of growth, use the leaves in salads or steamed like spinach, or the roots can be left to grow like any other beetroot.

Perpetual Spinach 'Everglade' is a modern selection with an upright habit and dark green compact leaves that contrast sharply with bright white stems. It responds particularly well to repeat cutting and is one of the easiest and most productive vegetables for a small space.

Melissa officinalis or 'Lemon balm' is a highly-scented herb, best known for its use in tea, but this very special herb has a number other uses. If you enjoy the liquors Benedictine and Chartreuse you may find the taste familiar as lemon balm is an ingredient in both.

As its name suggests, this classic butterhead lettuce can be the basis of fresh daily salads throughout the year. This is no 'supermarket' variety, but rather a proper lettuce with an exquisite flavour unavailable from anywhere but from your own vegetable patch.

Nothing can beat this variety as a consistent producer of good-sized, crisp, round heads. Lettuce 'Great Lakes' is heat and cold tolerant and has a strong resistance to bolting and tip burn. It produces large, glistening, well-rounded heads, well-folded and fine-flavoured leaves with a crisp texture.

This French butter-head lettuce is famous for its signature butter-head shape boasting the appearance of a bibb-type rosette with an array of beautiful colours ranging in bronze, gold, red and green. The “Four Seasons” will thrive in a range of climates and its texture always remains crisp and its taste unforgettable.