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"Cooking: Mild and sweet it is delicious in stuffings, soups, stews, omelettes, cheese dishes, fish sauces and salads. Sprinkle over pork, mutton, liver and veal before roasting and add to melted butter to garnish vegetables.Companion Plant: Sow with Broccoli to repel the cabbage butterfly.Nature's Remedy: Depresssion and hyprochandria are frequent problems today. Herbalists have always recommended Marjoram for this, to lower high blood pressure and combat headaches, and neuralgia. Much used as a tonic particularly after influenza and as a gentle mild laxative. Pour a cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoonful of fresh leaves, cover and leave for several minutes. Sweeten with honey if desired"Sow from late winter to early summer 1.5mm (1/16in) deep in John Innes Seed Compost. Make sure the compost is moist but not wet, seal in a polythene bag until after germination which usually takes 14-21 days at 16-18C (60-65F).Transplant when large enough to handle into 8cm (3in) pots. Later plant out 3cm (12in) apart in ordinary soil in full sun
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Fits most popular watering cans. A general purpose rose for many jobs around the garden. The curved brass face gives an even and uniform spray of water droplets.Particularly suitable for general purpose spraying, including bedding plants, patio tubs, troughs, window boxes, salad crops, newly-planted shrubs, perennials, newly seeded or turfed lawns.
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If you’re looking for a strong growing autumn variety of leek with long white stems that resist becoming ‘bulby’ then Leek ‘Mercurian F1’ is ideal for you. An upright, non-drooping leaf habit allows for good air circulation which minimises the risk of mould or infection.Sow indoors 4-5 seeds in 5cm (2in) pots or used vending cups, or very thinly in a seed tray of good quality seed compost. Cover with 6mm (¼in) of vermiculite or compost, maintaining a temperature of 15-20°C (59-68°F) until germination. Outside, sow thinly, 1cm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart in soil which has been raked to a fine tilth.Carefully lift when plants are large enough to handle and transplant from May to July to 23-25cm (9-10in) apart in the row and 45cm (18in) between rows, using a trowel or dibber, and water in. Keep watered during dry weather. Earth up the stems during the growing season to increase the length of the blanched stem.
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An excellent pale green leaved variety for gardeners and cooks who want long, slender, bulb free stems for summer and early autumn dishes. Tall plants which will benefit from additional ‘earthing up’, can be ready for harvesting mid-July to October before Leek rust strikes. Not a winter hardy variety.Sow thinly, 1cm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart in soil which has been raked to a fine tilth.Carefully lift when plants are large enough to handle and transplant to 23-25cm (9-10in) apart in the row and 45cm (18in) between rows, using a trowel or dibber, and water in. Keep watered during dry weather. Earth up the stems during the growing season to increase the length of blanched stem.Delicious baked in a rich cheese sauce. Has the benefit of a green vegetable and a mild onion. High in folic acid, potassium, pro-vitamin A and vitamin C. Contains beneficial sulphur compounds as well as a potent antioxidant called quercetin.
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New breeding has led to these 2-3kgs bulbs which remain tender, non-woody and full of flavour raw or cooked. Tasty ‘eat all’ vegetable. Resists bolting.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.SERVING SUGGESTION: Slice mature roots for batons or fry lightly in batter or breadcrumbs for fritters. High in vitamin C and antioxidant content.
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Popular and nutritious Kalettes® combine the best characteristics of kale and Brussels sprouts. Producing attractive rosettes of loose, frilly-edged buttons, this winter hardy favourite of savvy foodies and chefs has a sweet and nutty taste. Try it steamed, in stir fries or chopped raw in salads for a healthy hit of vitamins and other nutrients.Place seed in 7.5cm (3in) pots or a seed tray of a good free-draining seed compost and cover with a 6mm (¼in) layer of vermiculite. Place in a propagator or seal in a polythene bag at a temperature of around 15°C (59°F) until after germination, which takes up to 7 days.Transplant when large enough to handle about 5 weeks from sowing, to 60cm (24in). 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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Leek Musselburgh Improved is a very hardy and exceptionally fine strain of this popular mid season variety.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 (½in) deep in drills 23cm (9in) apart.In early summer lift the seedlings carefully and plant 15x38cm (6x15in) apart, making 15cm (6in) deep holes and inserting the seedlings as far as the first leaf. Then fill the hole with water NOT SOIL. Earth up the stems as growth develops and harvest
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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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Outstanding zinnia variety which is much admired for its exotic and extraordinary colouring. The showy, many-petalled blooms are various shades of red, fading to lime, with a bright magenta centre. Ideal in a hot, sunny spot in the garden or in pots on the patio. Cut some for vases too!Direct sow outdoors where they are to grow from april to May once the soil has warmed. Choose a position in full sun on moist, well drained soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 3mm (1/8in) in drills spaced 30cm (12in) apart. Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. Germination usually takes 7-14 days. When large enough to handle, thin them out to 23cm (9in) apart. Alternatively, sow indoors from March to May at 15-25°C (59-77°F). After sowing, keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged and do not exclude light as this helps germination. When all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting outdoors.
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Outstanding zinnia variety which is much admired for its exotic and extraordinary colouring. The showy, many-petalled blooms are various shades of red, fading to lime, with a bright magenta centre. Ideal in a hot, sunny spot in the garden or in pots on the patio. Cut some for vases too!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 7-21 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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Stunning double flowers in a spectacular mix of three colours, these magnificent zinnias offer outstanding garden performance, especially when planted en masse in a sunny border. Plants have a stronger root system than other types, making them easier to transplant.Sow seeds on the surface of a good, free-draining, dampseed 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 10-24 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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Savoury garnish adding zest to any salad. Try chive butter or frozen chive cubes. Companion Plant: Grow chives close to carrots as it is said to improve their growth and deter carrot fly and next to roses to help control black spot. Also makes excellent organic insecticide.Prepare the ground well and rake to a fine tilth before sowing, Sow seeds early spring outdoors 12mm (½in) deep in rows 30cm (12in) apart. They can also be started off under glass and planted out later. Germination usually takes 6-21 days at 18-21C (65-70F).When large enough to handle thin out to 15cm (6in) apart and transplant in late spring to their final positions 3cm (12in) apart.They prefer ordinary well drained garden soil, sun or part shade.