SEEDS

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.

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.

"Attractive, purple-skinned roots with pure white, succulent flesh, best eaten when golf ball size, although the flesh still remains succulent and bitter free when roots are larger. Easy to grow, quick to mature in under 8 weeks from sowing. Plants have a neat, compact growth making them ideal for early sowings under cloches or fleece. Prefers well-drained, moist, rich soil in full sun. A rich source of the provitamin A, vitamins C and K and folate as well as the antioxidant carotenoids b-carotene and lutein."Sow March to July, at 4 week intervals. Sow thinly, 12mm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart.Thin seedlings to 7cm (3in) apart for small bulbs, or 1-15cm (4-6in) for larger bulbs. Keep moist at all times for the most succulent roots and to minimise woodiness, bitter flesh and bolting.

Performs outstandingly whether sown early or late and does well over a long season. Leek Autumn Giant 2 Argenta matures in October, yet stands ready for harvest right through to May, giving high quality, thick, long and very heavy stems, of excellent mild flavour and yield with few bolters. NIAB Recommended.Leeks prefer ordinary well drained soil in sun or semi shade and can follow early peas or potatoes. Sow seeds in early spring outdoors in a well prepared seed bed. Sow seeds thinly 1cm (½ inch) deep in drills 23cm (9inches) apart.In early summer lift the seedlings carefully and plant 15 to 38cm (6 to 15 inches) apart, making 15cm (6 inches) deep holes and inserting seedlings as far as the first leaf. Then fill the hole with water NOT SOIL. Earth up the stems as growth develops