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Widely known as the ‘pizza pepper’, this jalapeño is the most widely used and popular selection. Dark green, turning bright red fruits are 8-10cm (3-5in) long, thick-walled and slightly tapered with blunt ends. For use in a variety of dishes - not just sliced on your favourite pizza!Sow seed on the surface of a good, free-draining damp seed compost and cover with a fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place in a propagator or seal container in a polythene bag and keep at 25?C (77?F) until after germination which takes up to 14 days. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots. Reduce temperature and maintain at 15?C (59?F).For Indoor Crops: Plant 2 plants per growbag or individually into 20cm (8in) pots or 2 litre pot. For optimum results grow under glass. For Outdoor Crops: Gradually acclimatise plants to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting one plant per 20cm (8in) or 2 litre pot, or a larger container on the patio. Plant in final position from early June when there is no further risk of frost and protect from biting winds. Feed plants weekly with a high potash tomato fertiliser once first fruits have set.
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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.
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An 'American slicer' outstanding in T&M outdoor trials in a poor growing season. Trailing plants produce a good crop of very dark green skinned 22-25cm (9-10in) juicy, but crisp, bitter free fruits with soft white spines with slow seed development.Sow seed 1cm (1/2in) deep, in 7cm (3.5in) pots of free-draining compost. Place in a propagator and keep at around 20-25C (68-77F until after germination, which usually takes 7-10 days.Gradually acclimatise plants to outdoor conditions for a few days before planting out after all risk of frost, 90cm (36in) apart. Pick fruits regularly when small to ensure continuous cropping. Feed and water regularly for increased yields.
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A heritage variety originating from Australia in the early 1900’s. Prolific cropping on trailing plants if picked regularly at larger golf ball size. Crisp, tender flesh with a bitter free, sweet flavour. Best grown outdoors to trail on the ground or support on a trellis. Crops over a long season if picked regularly. Sow mid April to early June under glass to transplant outdoors. Mixed flowers, both types are required for pollination. Prefers well-drained, moist, rich soil in full sun. Extend the season with cloches.Sow mid April to early June, 2.5cm (1in) deep, in pots or trays of good seed sowing mix at 20C (68F) under glass or in a propagator. Protect emerging seedlings from direct sunlight to avoid scorching.Pot on individual seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots of sowing mix and keep barely moist to avoid stem rot. Maintain a temperature of about 20C (68F). Plant out 75x75cm (30x30in) apart once frost risk has passed. If space is limited, train up supports/netting
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Unusual tapering, 18cm (7in) purple skinned roots are sweet, tender and flavoursome with coreless orange flesh and are delicious eaten both cooked or raw in a salad.Sow thinly, 13mm (1/2in) deep in broad drills 30cm (12in) apart. Thin seedlings as necessary, probably unnecessary for 'baby roots', but to 2.5-5cm (1-2 in) apart for larger roots for storing. Keep well watered for best quality roots. Protect with enviromesh or erect a 50cm (20in) barrier around the crop against carrot fly.Serve boiled carrots with a sprinkling of chopped parsley, a little sugar and ground black pepper. Add raw roots to salads or use with dips to create an attractive and tasty colour contrast.
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British bred variety specifically for summer and autumn cropping, so doesn’t need a period of winter cold to produce tasty spears. Sturdy 90cm (35in) tall plants produces high yields with regular picking. Harvest from July to November if sown successionally.SOWING INSTRUCTIONS: Sow sprouting broccoli seeds in a well-prepared seed bed from March to June at a depth of 13mm (½in) and spaced 30cm (12in) apart.GROWING INSTRUCTIONS: Transplant to their final positions around 5 weeks later when the seedlings have four or five leaves. Choose a sheltered position in firm, rich, fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Prepare the soil in early spring by adding plenty of well rotted farmyard manure to improve its structure and fertility. Plant purple sprouting broccoli deeply for stability at a distance of 60cm (24in) apart, and cover with a protective netting or fleece to prevent attack from birds and insects. Water the plants thoroughly after planting.
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Create a riot of colour in your borders with this brightly coloured zinnia mix! Easy to grow and maintain, these sun-loving annuals look fabulous in borders and pots, make wonderful cut flowers and are a favourite of bees and butterflies.Sow seeds on the surface of a good, free- draining, damp seed compost. Then lightly cover, 3mm (1/8in) deep, with vermiculite or compost. Place container in a propagator or seal inside a polythene bag at a temperature of 20-30?C (68-86?F) until after germination which usually takes 7-14 days. Direct sow outside from late April once the soil has warmed. Sow seeds thinly at a depth of 3mm (1/16in).Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle, taking care not to damage the fragile roots, into trays or 7.5cm (3in) pots. Gradually acclimatise plants to cooler conditions for a few weeks before planting out, after all risk of frost, 30cm (12in) apart.
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Produces a mound of loose, oak leaf shaped leaves for regular picking for several weeks. Does not produce a solid heart. Good resistance to bolting (running to seed).Sow thinly, 1cm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart in soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Water ground regularly, especially during dry periods.When large enough to handle, thin out seedlings to 30cm (12in) apart. Harvest as and when required.Lettuce is a good source of beta-carotene and vitamin A.
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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.
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Spicy like rocket when used raw in salads and sandwiches, but mild like spinach when cooked in soups, casseroles or simply with some butter and garlic. This mix of five red and green, differently shaped leaves will add interest to the garden and your plate.Sow thinly, 13mm (½in) deep in drills 20cm (8in) apart, or in containers.Outdoor plants may benefit from cloche protection in harsh weather.
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British breeding in whiter, smooth skinned roots with shallow crowns and good canker resistance. The roots are well filled with good weight distribution throughout. Excellent winter hardiness. Harvest September to February.Sow thinly, 1cm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart. Sow clusters of 3 or 4 seeds every 20cm (8in) and thin out to the strongest seedling after germination. Germination can be very slow. Harvest the roots from autumn onwards, leaving them in the ground if required. Fully winter hardy.
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Pinky-cream coloured, oval, sometimes curving fruit (hence the name) will store all winter long. Trailing variety which can reach 4m long, so make sure to give plants some space or grow down the side of your plot or along a fence. Reliable and easy to grow, even in the UK.Sow in a propagator on a windowsill or one seed (on edge) per 7.5cm (3in) pot in a greenhouse at approximately 20-25°C (68-78°F) using a good quality, moist compost. Cover seeds with 19mm (¾in) compost.Grow on, planting out when frost risk has passed. Alternatively, sow direct late May into soil placing 2 seeds per station and thin to leave the strongest seedling. Plants will trail up to 3m, so give plenty of space, train up a fence or trim to size. Spread is up to 4m.