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Early to ripen and continuing to crop heavily throughout the season, Bonica produces a good yield of long, oval, shiny purple fruits. Ideal for patio containers, plants are compact and bushy; the flavoursome fruits average 12cm (5in) in length.Sow aubergine seeds from February to May for indoor cultivation or March to April for growing outdoors. Soaking them in warm water for 24 hours before sowing will assist germination.Sow seeds on the surface of a free draining, moist seed compost and cover with 6mm (¼") layer of vermiculite or compost. Place in a propagator or seal the container inside a polythene bag at constant temperature of 18-21C (65-70F) until after germination which takes 10-14 days. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, carefully transplant them into 7.5cm (3") pots and grow on at a slightly reduced temperature. When all risk of frost is passed and the soil is warm, harden off and plant aubergines in their final positions. For indoor cultivation, pot on into larger containers or plant 2 aubergines per grow bag. Outdoors, plant aubergines in rich fertile soil at a distance of 90cm (3’) apart, in rows spaced 90-120cm (3-4’) apart. Grow aubergines in a sheltered position in full sun. Planting through black plastic mulch will help to warm the soil, control weeds and save moisture. Aubergines grow best at temperatures of 25-30C (77-86F) with high humidity levels. Stake aubergine plants as they increase in size and pinch out the main growing tip to encourage a bushy habit. Water regularly to prevent buds from dropping. Once the first flowers have set, feed aubergines every 2 weeks with a high potash tomato feed. Restricting the crop to 5 or 6 per plant will produce the largest fruits. Harvest aubergines by cutting them close to the stem from August onwards, when the fruit appears fully coloured and shiny. Harvest regularly to promote further flowers and to extend the picking season.

"An exciting mixture offering coloured stems in classic red, white, pink, violet, green, gold, orange, yellow and some even striped! The wonderfully coloured stems of Swiss Chard Bright Lights are crowned with large foliage of green or bronze. Guaranteed lo brighten the vegetable patch or why not grow Swiss Chard Bright Lights in the border. The flavour is deliciously mild and packed with nutritional content coming to harvest about 60 days after sowing.Cropping from mid-summer to late autumn. After a normal winter, it will re-emerge to give an unbelievably early spring crop."Sow seeds from April to July, very thinly in drills 3cm (1/8in) deep in rows 30cm (12in) apart.As the seedlings grow, gradually thin out to 23cm (9in) apart.The seedlings can be trimmed of their roots and cooked. Water freely through the season and harvest by picking a few leaves at a time, snapping them off near the base of the plant, from several plants rather than completely stripping one plant.