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The excellent internal structure gives the tastiest white coleslaw ever, or for shredding raw into winter salads. Has a vigorous plant habit so can be grown in all soil types. Good resistance to early frost damage for extended cutting season into early winter.Sow seed thinly 12mm(½in) deep in a seed tray of proprietary seed compost and lightly cover with a sprinkling of vermiculite. Place tray in a propagator at 20-25C (68-77F) until after germination which usually takes 4-7 days. Transplant seedlings into 7.5cm (3in) pots and grow on until plants have 2-3 true leaves. Alternatively seed can be sown thinly in a well-prepared seedbed, 12mm (1/2in) deep in drills 23cm(9in) apart.Transplant into vegetable plot approximately 5-6 weeks after sowing at 60 x 50cm (24 x 20in) spacing for larger heads up to 3kg (6.6lb) or at 50 x 30cm(20 x 12in) for 1 kg (2.2lb) heads.
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It has one very big advantage over most other cabbages suitable for autumn sowing. Cabbage April can withstand the bolting tendency (running to seed with resulting complete loss of crop) which often plagues autumn sown cabbage and it can also be sown very close together 38cm (15in) apart 25cm (10in) between rows. Ideal where space is at a premium.Sow seeds outdoors in a well prepared seed bed in spring for autumn cabbages or summer for spring cabbages. Sow seeds thinly 12mm (½in) deep in rows 23cm (9in) apart. If the soil is dry, water well and allow to drain before sowing.Transplant at the 5-6 leaf stage allowing a minimum of 25x38cm (1x15in) between plants. The soil should be firm and contain plenty of well rotted compost etc, preferably from a previous crop, it should also be well limed. Just before planting, rake in Hoe occasionally and water if the weather is dry. Spring sowings mature in autumn and a summer sowing in early spring as 'spring greens', and spring as mature cabbages.
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Sweetheart cabbages are becoming increasingly popular in supermarkets during late summer through to winter. Now you can grow your own! Cabbage Caramba has tender, sweet pointed mid-green hearts, ideal shredded raw in salads and coleslaws or delicious as a steamed vegetable.Sow seeds March to June. Sow seeds thinly into well raked soil, 1cm (½ inch) deep in drills 23cm (9 inches) apart.Transplant to 38cm (15 inches) apart each way when large enough to handle, about 5 weeks from sowing. Prefers a moist, rich, well-drained soil.
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Created a great deal of interest when grown at the Scottish Horticultural Research Institute, yet it is very widely grown in Northern Italy. The 'spears' can be snapped off individually or all together. Broccoli Romanesco has a taste and texture exceeding the finest broccoli and to really appreciate the flavour it should be cooked and served individually with melted butter.Sow seeds in a well raked, firm, seed bed in late spring in drills 10mm (½in) deep and keep moist. Sowing can also be made under glass at this time.Transplant the seedlings 45x45cm (18x18in) apart, when they have made 2-3 true leaves. For best results grow in a rich, fertile soil and water regularly.Romanesco is ready in late autumn and the whole head need not be harvested all at once - just snap off the individual heads you need. Romanesco should not be grown on the same piece of ground two years running or follow other Brassicas (Cabbages, Sprouts etc).
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A main crop variety with round to oval, high quality roots with a dark red colour. The hybrid vigour of Beetroot Red Ace makes it a very strong grower which will do well in most sites and soils; good in dry seasons. Excellent for exhibition.Sow seeds from spring to early summer very thinly in drills 3cm (1in) deep in rows 30cm (12in) apart.When seedlings are large enough to handle thin them out gradually to 1cm (4in) apart. The later thinnings will be large enough to use in a salad. Pull the beetroot when the roots are 1½in diameter or larger.The smaller the roots the better the quality. In mid autumn lift the remaining roots, twist off the tops and use or store in a clamp as you would potatoes.
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"The first F1 hybrid cylindrical 'Housewives' Choice Beetroot with the sweetest of flavours. Beetroot Alto F1 has uniform, straight roots which have a smooth rich red skin and flesh colour, free from rings making them easy to prepare.Roots stand proud above the soil, but can be earthed up, and remain in good condition for long periods. Beetroot Alto is an easy to grow, space saving variety."Sow seeds March to July. Sow seeds thinly, 1cm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart. Prefers well drained, moist, rich soil.Thin seedlings to 5cm (2in) apart for 'baby beets' when large enough to handle, or 7cm (3in) for larger, heavier cylindrical roots.Beets can be stored by lifting the remaining roots; twisting off the tops and storing in boxes of slightly damp sand in a frost-free shed or garage.
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Distinctive orange-gold skinned roots with gold flesh which does not 'bleed' so are easy to prepare in the kitchen. A culinary delight, just wash young roots, peel skins of larger roots, for a delicious sweet taste grated or sliced in salads, or as a cooked vegetable. Stems and leaves of younger roots are delicious raw, steam or stir fried as an alternative to chard and spinach. A no waste vegetable.Sow thinly outdoors, 13mm (1/2in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart. Sow at 2-3 week intervals until mid-summer.Thin seedlings as necessary, to 2.5cm (1in) apart for 'baby beets' or slightly wider spacing for larger roots. Keep well watered for most tender roots and to avoid bolting (running to seed).
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Enjoy this versatile and increasingly popular vegetable as salad leaves when young, or when more mature, the leaves can be steamed and used like spinach. The broad, white stems can be chopped and cooked like celery or used to add crunch to salads and stir fries.Sow seed thinly, 1cm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart. Sow ‘little and often’ for a continuous supply. Cloche later sowings for harvesting into December.Thin seedlings to 23cm (9in) apart for ‘midi’ plants or 30cm (12in) for mature plants. Thinnings are suitable for using in salads. Water summer sowings regularly to prevent bolting (running to seed). Harvest stems as required, picking only a few from each plant at a time.
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Autumn cabbage, superceding our old favourite ‘Minicole’, ideal for close spacing. Good vigour for use on a wide range of soil types, particularly on less fertile soils. Good internal colour, dense 1kg heads can be cut and stored in November for winter use.Sow in individual pots or a seed tray of good seed compost and cover with 6mm (¼in) of compost or vermiculite. Maintain at a temperature of 15°C (60°F) until germination which will take around 7-10 days. Alternatively, seeds can be sown thinly, 12mm (½in) deep, in a prepared seedbed.Transplant when large enough to handle, about 5 weeks from sowing, leaving 35cm (14in) between plants in each direction. Plant firmly and keep well watered until established. Use fleece to protect against caterpillars and aphids as necessary and use net during the winter to protect against pigeons.
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Versatile and easy-to-grow variety with continual harvests as a ‘picking lettuce’. Attractive and voluminous lettuce with shiny green leaves offering an 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 ground 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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Bred as a culinary Swede. Swede Brora has attractive reddish-purple shiny skin and cream base, with fine grained, well-flavoured, creamy yellow flesh, free from any bitterness. Swede Brora is best harvested late autumn up to New Year. Excellent storage qualities. Prefers a rich, well manured soil. Seeds are in the RHS Vegetable Collection.Sow seeds mid May to late June. Sow seeds thinly, 1cm (½ inch) deep in drills 38cm (15 inches) apart in soil that has been raked to a fine tilth.When large enough to handle, thin seedlings to 15cm (6 inches) apart, taking care not to damage the roots.Keep plants well watered and hoe regularly. Roots can be stored in barely damp peat, soil or sand for winter use.
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A modern bred variety with large, uniform roots. Produces big, healthy plants. Interiors stay firm, even when roots are large. Holds well in the ground. Upright plant results in less splash from rain and are less prone to celery leaf spot.SOWING INSTRUCTIONS: Sow in a propogator on a windowsill or in a greenhouse at minimum 18°C (64°F) using a good quality, peat-free compost. Cover the seeds with 3mm sieved compost until germination which can take 14-21 days.GROWING INSTRUCTIONS: Transplant seedlings individually into 7cm pots or trays to grow on. After hardening off, plant out 25-30cm (10-12in) apart in rows 40cm (16in) apart after frosts.Water regularly in dry weather to encourage the bulb to swell, removing lower leaves to encourage further growth.