We grow a range of classic kitchen garden vegetables, many of them perennials.
Small plants of annual salads, oriental greens etc are stocked in spring;
fresh cut salads and herbs in season.
ARTICHOKE, GLOBE Cynara scolymus P Splendid architectural habit. Flower-buds must be the easiest epicurean vegetable. Several cultivars available.
-----, JERUSALEM Helianthemum tuberosum.
Tuber
Easily grown nutritious and low-calorie alternative to potatoes.
-----.CHINESE Tuber Stachys affinis A curious mint-like
plant with intriguing small bead-like tubers.
CABBAGE, PERPETUAL Brassicasp. P A very useful tall cabbage producing masses of fresh green shoots for 'spring greens' throughout the year. Take cuttings for new plants.
CARDOON Cynara cardunculus P Spectacular for kitchen or flower garden. Tie stems in sacking in Autumn to blanch.
CHICORY Bi Sugar loaf and radicchio types are grown.
GARLIC, CULINARY Allium sativum A Delicious and health-promoting herb. Available in early spring.
-----, TREE (ROCAMBOLE) A. sativumvar. ophioscordon P Produces climps of garlic-flavoured leaves and, at the top of a serpentine scape which gradually straightens, bulbils.
GOOD KING HENRY Chenopodium bonus-henricus P An historical vegetable - eaten in Neolithic times! Try it!
HORSERADISH Armoracia rusticana P Somewhat invasive though handsome dock-like plant. Pungent grated roots used in sauces and pickles.
LEEK, Babington's Allium babingtonii P Statuesque onion with a head of mixed bulbils and flowers - very ornamental, and good leek type leaves too.
--------, Perpetual (elephant garlic) A. ampeloprasum var. P The French call this useful vegetable poireau perpetuel.
LETTUCE A range of lettuce plants is available at the nursery in spring, including Little Gem, Lollo Rossa, oak-leaf etc.
MIZUNA An oriental green of the cabbage family with pretty feathery leaves. Use young leaves in salads or stir-fry.
ONION, PERPETUAL or EVER-READY Allium cepa 'Perutile' P A non-flowering strain that proliferates readily. Gives a constant all-year supply of onion and green.
-----, TREE Allium cepaProliferum Group P Lovely old cottage plant that bears useful small onions at the tips of stems.
-----, WELSH A. fistulosum P Leaves larger than chives, silvery flowers and large bulbs. Use the whole plant.
-----, RED WELSH P Intriguingly different growth habit to above. Persistant scape makes it quite ornamental.
PARSLEY Petroselinum crispum Bi Curled parsley, flat-leaved French and Italian giant are stocked in spring and autumn.
RAMPION Campanula rapunculus P Young leaves used in salads, roots used raw or cooked, or simply enjoy the sight of the beautiful spikes of blue flowers!
ROCKET Eruca vesicariasubsp. sativa A A tender salad leaf with a hot, spicy, nutty flavour. Some say it tastes of roast lamb or peanuts.
----, WILD E. vesicaria A Some claim this is the best flavoured rocket.
SALADINGS A Seedling salad leaves available in season.
SALSIFY Tragopogon porrifolius Bi A delicately-flavoured root described as vegetable oyster. Serve with a cream sauce. Leave some to flower in the second year- beautiful lilac/mauve spikey daisies.
SCORZONERA Scorzonera hispanica Bi Black-skinned parsnip-like roots with a delicate flavour. Yellow "daisies" in second year.
SEAKALE Crambe maritima 'Lilywhite' P Dual purpose vegetable; eat flowerbuds like broccoli, force stems for a spring treat. Or simply grow as an eyecatching and fragrant border plant.
SORREL, FRENCH Rumex acetosa P A large-leaved sorrel providing bulk for soups and sauces.
---- BUCKLER-LEAVED Rumex scutatus P A smaller shield-shaped leaf species suitable for salads, omelettes, pancakes.
STRAWBERRY, ALPINE Fragaria vesca P Red- and
white- fruited forms available. Easy to grow, excellent flavour.
----, PLYMOUTH F. vesca 'Muricata' A 'hairy'-fruited
curiosity mentioned by Parkinson.
TOMATO Plants of superior cultivars often available at the nursery in spring.
WINTER PURSLANE Claytonia perfoliata A Mild-flavoured succulent little heart-shaped leaves. Very hardy, grows all winter.