GROWING

A visually stunning array of colorful radishes all with crisp, white, delicious flesh. All have round to plum-shaped roots with white, purple, red, red and white or stunning gold skins. Ideal for adding peppery warmth to summer salads or sandwiches.Sow thinly in 1cm (½in) deep broad drills 30cm (12in) apart, in soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Water ground regularly, especially during dry periods.Thin as necessary, allowing 2.5cm (1in) between seedlings and keep watered to prevent bolting (running to seed) and hot, pithy roots.SERVING SUGGESTION: Either whole or sliced roots will add a range of colours to the salad bowl.

Large, juicy, bright red sticks. Started in heat in late winter Rhubarb Glaskins Perpetual can be harvested lightly the following year. Excellent for tarts, pies, jam, wine, forcing etc. and very easy to grow in any odd corner of the garden. Expect some variation in the seedlings.Sow the seeds in early spring individually 1.6mm (¼in) deep in 7.5cm (3in) pots of a good free draining seed compost. Keep the compost moist but not over wet until germination which takes 21-40 days at 20-25C (70-75F). Once the seedlings have emerged lower the temperature and later move to a cold frame before planting out in late spring.Plant carefully, so as not to disturb the roots, 1m (3ft) apart in a good, fertile garden soil to which plenty of compost has been added.Once planted do not move them again Water in dry weather, top dress around the crowns with a well rotted compost in early summer and repeat each year. In the second year a light picking can be made and in subsequent years, they can be picked until mid summer, always leaving at least 4 leaves per plant.

"In recent years we have introduced and developed vegetables that have achieved real steps forward in yield, flavour, space saving, disease tolerance; etc. This bean fits into this category and is outstanding in every way.Almost foolproof, it attains huge crops from a small area. Long, broad, completely stringless, very fleshy 25-30cm (10-12in) pods. Very heavy cropping, often averages 40 pods per plant. As it is a shy seeder there is more juicy fleshy edible area, which accounts for the exceptional flavour. Compared with other runner beans it is much more productive under dry weather conditions. White flowered."Prefers fertile, moist yet well drained soil which has had plenty of well rotted compost dug into it the previous autumn. For an early start sow seeds from mid spring in artificial heat (propagator, greenhouse, warm room) in peat pots and plant out after last expected frost. Outdoors do not sow until at least 10 days after last frost, 5cm (2in) deep. Sow 2 seeds every 30cm (12in) in rows 38cm (15in) apart.Remove weaker seedlings after germination. Ensure soil is warm and avoid it becoming baked hard. Water regularly and liquid feed every 14 days during mid summer. A thick mulch will help conserve moisture.Pick regularly on the young side to ensure top quality and prolonged cropping.

A major breakthrough in British breeding of Runner Beans. This unique, profusely white flowering variety combines the beneficial characters of French Beans into Runner Beans. Extra smooth, very fleshy, stringless, 25cm (10in) pods with a great texture and traditional Runner Bean taste. The vastly improved flower setting means an earlier and continual crop even during poor weather. Dark green foliage.Sow mid to late April indoors for transplanting. Sow seed 5cm (2in) deep in 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays of good, free-draining, seed compost. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag and keep at 18-20°C (64-68°F) until after germination which takes 7-10 days.Gradually acclimatise indoor grown plants to outdoor conditions for a few days before planting out after risk of frost, against canes or netting. Hoe regularly and keep well watered. Mulch during dry periods and give a liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks.