After what seems to be an interminable winter, the days are starting to stretch out and the first snowdrops are poking their heads above the ground. All a sure sign that spring - the main veg seed sowing season - is on it's way.
Whilst it's too early to start sowing seeds yet, unless you have a greenhouse, it's the ideal time to choose what you're going to grow.
To help I thought I'd give you my top 10 veg. All of them are outstanding in terms of being:
Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard is a revelation the first time you grow it. The seeds take a little time to get going, then it suddenly shoots up, producing big glossy leaves on the end of striking white stems. Yank off leaves as you need them. The plant will keep producing more to replace them for months on end. When you cook them, steam to preserve the flavour.
Kale Red Russian
Red Russian Kale is slightly less productive than chard, it more than makes up for it with it's wonderful rich flavour. And it'll keep on producing fresh leaves right through the winter brushing off the worst the weather can throw at it.
Mizuna
Whether you've got plot, patio, or even just a windowbox, cut and come again salad leaves are a must. Mizuna's my favourite. You'll be eating the succulent and slightly spicy leaves just 4 weeks from sowing, and after you cut it back it will re-sprout a completely set of new leaves. Plants will re-grow 3-4 times before you need to sow some more.
Tomatoes Gardeners Delight
Home grown tomatoes require a little more effort than the other veg here, because you need to start the seeds off inside, but it's worth it because they have exceptional flavour. Cherry tomatoes are the best for growing outside because they ripen quickly - and that's key if we have a poor summer. Gardeners Delight is my favourite by far. It's a traditional variety that always outshines more modern types in terms of flavour, and productivity - expect 20 plus sweet cherry tomatoes per truss (or branch off the main stem).
Courgettes Defender
Courgettes are hugely satisfying veg to grow because they're fast, and produce a massive amount of fruit - around 20 courgettes per plant.
Some people think of them as a bit bland, but pick them young when they're only 4-6 inches long for a delicious nutty taste and wonderful crunch.
Easy to grow, but like tomatoes you will need to start seeds off inside.
Mange Tout Peas Sugar Dwarf Sweet Green
Peas are an excellent choice for the veg plot because they're easy to grow, pretty and super tasty. Mange tout or sugar snap varieties are a better bet than podding varieties because you get more to eat -a tasty pod and the peas inside it.
Choose our low growing variety 'Sugar Dwarf Sweet Green' for patios and smaller plots. Record is ideal if you'e got some more space. The plants will grow to over 6ft tall, producing mountains of sweet and succulent peas.
Lettuce Lollo Rosso
Lettuce is great plant to grow in Britain - it loves our moist climate and will carry on growing through moderate frosts that will come at the end of the season. Once established you can harvest the whole plant, or pick off individual leaves to give you leaves for 3 months.
Lollo Rosso is a red tinged lettuce from Italy will lend wonderful crunch and colour to your salad bowl.
Broad Beans Aquadulce Claudia
There's something magical about popping open a long velvety pod of broad bean. Big or small, homegrown broad beans taste sweet, tender and delicious so if you've only ever had shop bought you're in for a treat. They're fantastic cooked, and wonderful raw - I love antipasti of raw beans with slivers of pecorino cheese.
What's more they're dead easy to grow. This variety thrives in our cool climate, and will give you over a dozen long pods per plant. They do take up a bit of space though, so they're not ideal for patio growing.
New Potatoes Charlotte
The delicious taste and waxy texture of New Potatoes is unmistakable. Buy them now to sow in March and you'll be rewarded with little golden nuggets right through June and July.
Their flavour tails off quickly once they've been dug up, so if you've only ever had shop bought ones you're in for a real treat.
Turnips Milan Purple Top
If you've got any other ideas on what you'd like to grow, you'll find many more on the website. We've doubled our seed range this year!
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