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Ideal for rich foods plus traditional sage and onion stuffing with duck and goose. A useful gargle for sore throats. And don't forget that Sage also looks great in the perennial border. Companion Plant: Reputed to ward off carrot fly planted next to carrots. With cabbage said to improve their flavour and digestibility and to repel Cabbage Moth and Cabbage White Butterfly.Sow seeds in early spring in good free draining seed compost, just covering the seed. Germination usually takes 10-21 days at 21-24C (70-75F).When seedlings are large enough to handle transplant into 8cm (3in) pots, grow cool and finally plant out 38cm (15in) apart into a sunny spot in free draining soil.For best results, provide any well-drained soil in full sun, however try to avoid acidic soils. The flavour of the leaves will be best in warm, dry conditions. To keep plants bushy, prune in spring to encourage new shoots with strong flavour. Harvest leaves as and when required once plants are well grown.
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Sorrel leaves are used extensively in French cuisine, in fish, soups and sauces, also picked young will add a tart flavour to a mixed leaf salad. Sorrel leaves are best harvested regularly whilst small as bitterness increases with larger, older leaves.Sow seeds March to May, fortnightly for 'salad leaves'. Sow seeds thinly, 12mm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart.Thin seedlings if necessary, when large enough to handle, to 15cm (6in) apart. Keep ground weed free and water well during dry periods. Harvest 6-8 weeks after sowing, selecting a few leaves from each plant.Harvest regularly from early summer to frosts.
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Similar to French tarragon, but producing a more vigorous plant. Russian Tarragon produces branching stems of lance-shaped, aromatic foliage can be used for tarragon vinegars, in white sauces and salad dressings, and with chicken, fish and egg dishes.Sow seeds April to May. Germinate at 15-20C (59-68F) on the surface of a good free draining, damp seed compost. Do not cover the seeds. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag until after germination which usually takes 14-21 days. Do not exclude light, as this helps germination.Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into trays or 7.5cm (3in) pots. Grow on in cooler conditions for 1-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 45cm (18in) apart.Will grow in any well drained soil.
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An old favourite for stews stuffings etc., mixed herbs and bouquet garni. Old English Thyme stimulates the appetite and helps the digestion of fatty foods. Helps repel cabbage root fly. Companion Plant: Grow Old English Thyme close to cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli and brussels sprouts as it is a great deterrent of cabbage root-fly or cabbage worm.Sow seeds from late winter to early summer 1.5mm (1/16in) deep in John Innes Seed Compost. Make sure that the compost is moist but not wet and seal in a polythene bag until after germination which usually takes 18-24 days at 13-16C (56-60F).Transplant when large enough to handle into 8cm (3in) pots. Later plant out 23- 3cm (9-12in) apart into well drained soil in full sun.
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A new distinctive taste to a salad favourite with the unique warm flavour of the wasabi root in a quick and easy to grow salad leaf. For the best flavour sow every 2-3 weeks for freshest leaves. Adds a kick to salads, sandwiches and sushi, or use it with any dish that requires horseradish or wasabi paste. You will be amazed at how much flavour is packed into each leaf.Sow very thinly, 13mm (½in) deep in drills 45cm (18in) apart in soil that has been raked to a fine tilth. When large enough to handle, thin seedlings to 15cm (6in) apart and use as ‘baby leaves. Must be kept well watered or will run to seed and be inedible.Harvest young leaves as required, picking only a few from each plant. Pinch out flower buds to prolong cropping. Sowings made in late summer will carry on cropping into winter if given protection by cloches.
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Probably the hottest tasting wild rocket! Wildfire has broader leaves than traditional wild rocket and its robust upright habit helps to keep the deep green, serrated leaves clean.. The leaves pack a powerful punch with an exceptional, intense flavour.Sow thinly, 13mm(1/2in) deep in drills 45cm (18in) apart in soil that has been raked to a fine tilth. When large enough to handle, thin seedlings to 15cm (6in) apart and use as 'baby leaves'. Must be kept well watered or will run to seed and be inedible.Harvest young leaves as required., picking only a few from each plant. Pinch out flower buds to prolong cropping into winter if given protection by cloches.
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Related to broccoli and Brussels sprouts, baby kale leaves are rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals and taste great too! This attractive mix of leaves makes a great salad or can be enjoyed lightly steamed with a variety of dishes.Sow very thinly, 13mm (½in) deep, in pots of multipurpose compost on the windowsill, larger containers on the patio, or sow in drills 23cm (9in) apart in the garden.Thin seedlings, when large enough to handle, to 6mm (¼in) apart, to minimise overcrowding or spindly seedlings. If sown in the garden, keep weed free and water well during dry periods. Harvest a few leaves from each plant regularly.
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Two exceptionally fine flavoured varieties the result of 15 years of breeding. The textured ruffled leaves of Emerald Ice and Midnight Sun develop a striking contrasting centre as they mature and have the sweetest flavour - even the leaf stalks taste like candy and hold the crispiest texture.Sow in individual pots or a seed tray of good seed compost and cover with 6mm (1¼in) of compost or vermiculite, at a minimum of 15°C (60°F), until germination which takes around 5-7 days. Alternatively, can be sown thinly in a prepared seedbed 12mm (½in) deep, allowing 30cm (12in) between rows.Transplant when large enough to handle, about 5 weeks from sowing, to 50cm (20in) between plants each way. Plant firmly and keep well watered until established. Fleece against caterpillar and aphid as necessary, and net against pigeons during the winter.
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Textured and ruffled leaves develop a striking contrasting white centre as they mature. Leaves have a very sweet flavour, even the leaf stalks are sweet and have the crispest texture. Ideal used for multiple cuts prolonging the harvesting period.SOWING INSTRUCTIONS: Sow indoors in trays or small pots. Grow on and transplant when seedlings are between 6-8 weeks old, planting out 50cm (20in) between plants each way.GROWING INSTRUCTIONS: Alternatively, sow from April to June, direct into a finely raked seedbed at a depth of 1cm, germination takes 7-14 days. Transfer when large enought to handle leaving 50cm (20in) between plants each way. Water well if the soil is dry. Grows best in beds which have had manure added the previous autumn. Plants become more white coloured over the colder months.
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This beautiful kale mix produces vibrant pink to red and ivory white fan-shaped leaves with highly frilled edges. Delicious and nutritious when steamed as with traditional green kale; leaves can also be used as an attractive garnish or to brighten salads.Sow in individual pots or in a seed tray of good quality seed compost and cover with 6mm (¼in) of vermiculite or compost and maintain at a minimum temperature of 15?C (60?F) until germination which takes 5-7 days. Alternatively, seed can be sown thinly 12mm (½in) deep in a prepared seedbed outside, allowing 30cm (12in) between rows.Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle after about 5 weeks from sowing to 50cm (20in) between rows and 40cm (16in) between plants in the row. Plant firmly and keep well-watered until established. Use fleece to protect against caterpillar and aphid attack as necessary, and use netting to protect against pigeons during the winter.
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Visually stunning and very versatile kale variety which can be enjoyed when young as baby leaves or left to mature to produce distinctive wine red, curled-edged larger leaves. The high iron content of the leaves can be digested even when eaten raw - unlike spinach. Delicious and nutritious whether eaten cooked or raw.Sow very thinly 13mm (½in) deep in pots of multipurpose compost on the windowsill, larger containers on the patio, or sow in drills 23cm (9in) apart in the garden.Thin to 7cm (3in) for ‘baby leaf’, to 20cm (8in) for larger plants and to 38cm (15in) for fully mature plants. Transplant module raised plants to 38cm (15in) apart. For ‘baby leaf’ sow October to February under glass or March to September outdoors for all year harvest. For mature plants, sow April to June outdoors for harvest July to November. Keep well watered throughout the growing period to avoid bolting and flavour loss, especially during summer.Delicious added to salads, stir fries or steamed.
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An eastern European variety with highly decorative red veined leaves intensifying in colour as winter approaches. Mature plants show excellent winter hardiness. Kale supplies fresh greens at a time when the vegetable plot can look rather bare.Sow seed thinly in a well prepared seedbed, 12mm (½in) deep in drills 23cm (9in) apart.Transplant when large enough to handle, about 5 weeks from sowing to 50cm (20in) between plants each way. Plant firmly and keep well watered until established. Fleece against caterpillar and aphid as necessary, and net against pigeons during the winter.