SEEDS

Delightful dark red incurved leaves with attractive contrasting green centres. Saxo can be sown in small amounts throughout the growing season from spring through to autumn as a ‘picking lettuce’. Excellent level of resistance to downy mildew and lettuce leaf aphid.Sow thinly, 1cm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart in soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Water regularly, especially during dry periods.When large enough to handle, thin out seedlings to 30cm (12in) apart. Harvest as and when required.

Still the premier garden lettuce in most people's vegetable patch. Iceberg Lettuce Webbs Wonderful has large, wrinkled leaves with a big tight centre of crisp, white leaf. An outstanding Iceberg Lettuce whether the summer is wet or dry, Webbs Wonderful is always slow to run to seed.Sow seeds thinly from spring to mid summer 6mm (¼in) deep in drills 38cm (15in) apart. A moist well drained soil which has had plenty of compost during the previous autumn is best. In very hot weather it is best to water the soil before sowing and to make sowings during the early afternoon.Thin out gradually to 3cm (12in) apart.Harvest when the head feels firm when gently pressed. The heads keep well in a fridge if they are wrapped in polythene film.

A high-yielding semi leafless variety, needing no support when grown in a block. These plants produce extended crops of crisp, straight dark green flat pods around 9cm (31?2in) in length. Pick regularly just as the peas show in the pod – flowers will just keep coming.Sow every 10 days to ensure successional crops. Sow 5cm (2in) deep in flat-bottomed drills spacing about 2.5-5cm (1-2in) apart, and in rows 75cm (30in) apart.Water plants regularly, especially when in flower as this will improve the crop. Start picking pods just as the peas inside start to form, regular picking will encourage further flowering.

A 'charentais' type of cantaloupe melon which can successfully ripen fruit outdoors. Smooth 10-12cm (4-5in) diameter 500g (1lb) fruits, pale cream-yellow skin with dark green striping that turns a more tan yellow when ripe with a sweet aroma. The salmon orange flesh is very sweet, juicy and perfumed. Sow seeds 1cm (1/2in) deep in pots or trays of good seed compost at a minimum of 20C (68F) under glass or in a propagator. Protect emerging seedlings from direct sunlight to avoid scorching. Alternatively only in the warmest areas, sow direct outdoors, 1-2cm (1/2-3/4in) deep from mid-May.Pot individual seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots of compost. Keep barely moist to avoid stem rot. Maintain temperature around 20C (68F). Harden off. For earliest crop plant under cloches or in a frame once frost risk has passed, or outdoors through black plastic/mulch and cover with fleece until established. Allow 75cm each way between plants. Pinch out growing point after 4 'true' leaves. Laterals will form. Train 4 laterals to 6 leaf stage then pinch out. Flowers should be pollinated by insects, otherwise hand pollinate using a male flower for up to 4 female flowers (those with a bump under the flower). Keep well watered and feed regularly with potash or tomato fertiliser. Can also be grown under glass.