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Heirloom variety, best grown as a cordon outdoors but will be earlier to form ripe fruit in the greenhouse. The large 400 – 500g (14oz – 18oz) flatter than round fruits have a streaky orange/ red skin. The flesh is juicy, thick and meaty of orange/ yellow/ red shades on ripening and few seeds. The flesh is sweet with a slight acid balance.Sow seed on the surface of a free-draining compost and cover with about 6mm (1/4in) of compost or vermiculite. Place in a propagator at 18-21C (65-70F) until after germination which takes 7-10 days.Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots. Plant outdoors, 45cm (18in) apart once all frost risk has passed, or plant in the greenhouse in individual large pots, or 3 plants per growbag when 20cm (8in) high. Plants require sideshooting and support for best yields. Water and feed plants regularly with a high potash feed one the first truss has set.
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Ideal variety for beginners. Tomato Alicante is a superior variety possessing all the things we look for in a tomato. Tomato Alicante produces a heavy crop of greenback free fruit early in the season and the flavour is excellent."For greenhouse culture sow seeds from late winter to early spring. Sow 1.5mm (1/16in) deep. Germination usually takes 6-14 days at 24-27C (75-80F).To grow outside, sow seed in early spring and grow as described."Transplant the seedlings when large enough to handle into 8cm (3in) pots and plant out into grow bags, pots etc when large enough at 45cm (18in) apart. When approximately 2cm (8in) tall gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions and plant out 45cProvide adequate support and tie in regularly. Remove all side shoots as they appear and restrict the plant to one main stem. Outdoor plants remove growing tip in late summer to hasten ripening.
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Traditional favourite. Tomato Ailsa Craig produces medium sized green back fruit of perfect size and shape early in the season with excellent deep colour and noted for its vigour and the exceptional flavour of its fruit. A tomato suitable for indoor or outdoor cultivation.Sow seeds from late winter to early spring. Sow 1.5mm (1/16in) deep. Germination usually takes 6-14 days at 24-27C (75-80F).Transplant the seedlings when large enough to handle into 8cm (3in) pots and plant out into grow bags, pots etc when large enough at 45-6cm (18-24in) apart.Provide adequate support and tie in regularly. Remove all side shoots as they appear and restrict the plant to one main stem. Feed weekly with a high Potash Liquid fertiliser and water only moderately.
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Plants of this early season sweetcorn variety boast a strong root system and sturdy stems; many plants will produce 2 fully mature, heavy cobs of about 23cm (9in) in length. Cobs will be ready to harvest earlier than many other sweetcorn varieties, usually from August to September.Sow individually, 2cm (¾in) deep in 5cm (2in) pots of good seed compost to avoid root disturbance. Sow at 25°C (77°F) under glass or in a propagator. Can also be sown direct outside in warm soil May to early June.Grow on steadily and gradually harden off prior to planting out from late May, or once frost risk has passed. Grow in a block for best pollination, allowing 38cm (15in) between plants each way. For optimum performance, we suggest planting through black plastic for extra warmth.
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Deliciously sweet-tasting sweetcorn variety which boasts dramatically improved establishment of plants in cooler and/or wetter soils, offering gardeners the opportunity to grow sweetcorn in less-than-perfect soil and weather conditions. Cobs are filled to the tips with 16-18 rows of super sweet white and golden kernels.Sow individually, 2cm (¾in) deep in 5cm (2in) pots of good seed compost to avoid root disturbance. Sow at 25°C (77°F) under glass or in a propagator. Can also be sown direct outside in warm soil May to early June.Grow on steadily and gradually harden off prior to planting out from late May, or once frost risk has passed. Grow in a block for best pollination, allowing 38cm (15in) between plants each way. For optimum performance, we suggest planting through black plastic for extra warmth. Grow in isolation from other varieties to avoid cross-pollination.
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18-20cm cobs which are protected by a tight husk. The cream-coloured cobs are not only delicious, but so juicy they are perfect to snack on straight from the plant like you would eat an apple! Good tip fill and vigorous plants.Sow in a propagator on a windowsill or one seed per 5cm (2in) pot in a greenhouse using a good quality compost. Cover seeds with 2.5cm (1in) of compost. Sow directly outside after last frost has passed, 2 seeds per station.Grow on carefully planting out when the risk of frost has passed, allowing 40cm (16in) between plants each way in a block pattern to aid pollination. Can also be sown directly outside, 2 seeds per station, thinning to the strongest seedling.
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At harvest time Sweetcorn Early Xtra Sweet is twice as sweet as other varieties. Instead of the sweetness and flavour deteriorating as in other sweet normal varieties, Sweetcorn Early Xtra Sweet has a rich sugary flavour and is easy to grow. To ensure maximum sweetness do not grow near ordinary varieties.Sow seeds mid spring. Requires a fertile soil in a sunny position. Germinate at 20-30C (68-86F) on the surface of a good free draining, damp seed compost in 7.5cm (3in) pots. Apply a layer of compost or vermiculite, 1cm (½in) deep. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag until after germination which usually takes 6-10 days.Plant out after all risk of frost 45cm (18in) apart in blocks to aid pollination.Once the cobs start to form. water regularly. Cobs are ripe when the liquid of the grains is thin and creamy.
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Lovely, lavender blue, pincushion like flowers from July to September held on delicate stems above clumps of lance shaped, grey green leaves. This long flowering blue scabious is ideal for a sunny, well drained rock garden or container planting. As its name suggests, the charming pincushion like flowers are highly attractive to butterflies and they make very pretty additions to fresh and dried flower arrangements.Position: full sunSoil: moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: July to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardySold in a 1.5 litre pot.
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Consistently outperforms other spaghetti squash varieties. When mature, fruits turn a bright, canary yellow. Large enough to feed a family; the tasty, yellow flesh is the perfect substitute for pasta. Incredibly, fruits will keep for up to 6 months once the skin hardens!Sow seed 2cm (¾in) deep in 7.5cm (3in) pots of good seed compost at 21-25°C (70-77°F). Place in a propagator or seal container in a polythene bag until after germination. Can also be sown direct outdoors once the soil has warmed. Do not sow in cold soils. Sow 2 seeds every 1.2m (4ft) and thin out to the best seedling. Ideally grow under cloches until the plant is established.Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for a few days before planting out 1.2m (4ft) apart each way after all risk of frost has passed. Keep well watered throughout the season. Feed and mulch regularly.
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Visually attractive mix of summer squash producing green, yellow and creamy pale-green, oval-shaped squash on bushy plants with an open habit and reduced-spined stems for easier harvesting. Fruits are less watery and have firmer flesh than many other squash and courgette varieties which means they lend themselves well to slicing and grilling. Their taste is also much richer than other varieties.Sow seed 2cm (¾in) deep in 7.5cm (3in) pots of good seed compost. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag and place at 21-25°C (70-77°F) until after germination which takes 5-7 days. Can also be sown direct outdoors from mid-May once the soil has warmed and risk of frost has passed, 2.5cm (1in) deep at 75cm (30in) apart in rows 75cm (30in) apart.Gradually acclimatise plants to outdoor conditions for a few days before planting out after all risk of frost has passed, 75cm (30in) apart each way. Feed with potash fertiliser once fruiting begins. Water and pick fruits regularly to extend the harvesting season.SERVING SUGGESTION: For barbecues, stir fries, stuffing and baking.
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This is the first blight resistant beefsteak variety specifically developed for growing outdoors. The glossy, pinky-red fruits are perfect for slicing into burgers, salads and sandwiches for a delicious taste of summer.Sow seeds on the surface of a good, free-draining, damp, seed compost and cover with a fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place seed trays in a propagator around 15-20?C (59-68?F) until after germination which takes 7-14 days.When seedlings gain 2 true leaves, transplant into individual 7.5cm (3in) pots of compost and grow on at 15°C (59°F). When growing in a greenhouse, transplant at the end of May or when the first flowers develop. Allow 3 plants per growbag, or one per 25cm (10in) pot, or plant directly into the greenhouse soil.When growing outdoors gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions over 7 - 10 days before planting out from early June when tomato plants are 20cm (8in) tall. Transplant at a distance of 60cm (24in) apart in a sheltered full sun position. Use canes to support the plants as they grow. Water frequently and feed regularly.
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"Indeterminate habit requires support and sideshooting.Tomato Country Taste produces meaty, delicious fruits, which can easily attain weights over 227g (½lb) if trusses are trimmed (trim to allow 3 or 4 fruits to ripen per truss). Tomato Country Taste is early to set and ripen when grown under glass. Excellent tomato for exhibition and competitions - you could grow a record breaker!"Sow seeds 6mm (¼in) deep in pots or trays of good, free-draining, damp, seed compost and cover with a sprinkling of vermiculite or compost. Place containers in a propagator, or seal in a polythene bag, at a temperature of 18-21C (65-70F) until after germination, which takes 7-10 days.Transplant seedlings, when large enough to handle, into 7.5cm (3in) pots. Plant in the greenhouse in individual large pots, or 3 plants per growbag when 2cm (8in) high. Can be planted outdoors, 45cm (18in) apart once all frost risk has passed.Plants require sideshooting and support for the best yields. Water and feed plants regularly with a high potash feed once the first truss has set.