November

Thymus pulegoides has large, fleshy dark green, round leaves, known as Broad Leaf Thyme it is regarded by many as the ultimate culinary thyme. The aromatic leaves have a stronger flavour and are much easier to use than narrow leaved varieties. Very ornamental, it can be also be useful as a groundcover.

Relatively unknown to our shores, Rocket ‘Olive Leaf’ is an excellent selection of the traditional Italian olive leaf wild rocket. With a beautiful light green colour and smooth shape similar to an olive leaf, this perennial form has a distinctive aroma and flavour that is more subtle than the usual wild rockets.

This incredibly succulent, melt-in-your-mouth raw salad green has recently gained popularity in the gourmet greens world, attracting both world class growers and chefs. Best used fresh and tiny, these elegant leaves bring a rich, tart-creaminess to delicate, micro-green salads.

Pea 'Sienna' is a superstar - an excellent hardy, early variety that is well adapted to cool soils and early spring weather, and produces a very fast crop. Very easy shelling, with excellent sweet flavour - open the medium sized, blunt pods and enjoy the first, sweet, plump, green peas of the season!

Round seeded 'Feltham First' can be relied upon to produce a substantial crop of large pointed pods packed with tasty, sweet peas early in the summer. It is a traditional high-yielding favourite with good cold tolerance. Suitable for autumn or spring sowing.

Pea 'Douce Provence' is a compact variety which is extremely versatile. Consistent and reliable it produces large crops of sweet and succulent peas. Strictly speaking it is a round seeded first early variety but it can also be grown as an over-winter pea to produce of the earliest harvests of the season.

Dwarf Canton White is a short and squat variety, often known as Baby or Squat Pak Choi. Tender and delicious, with a compact habit, this fast growing vegetable can be harvested at any stage, for 'baby leaf or left to mature to thick succulent white stems.

The difference in taste between fresh oregano and the store-bought dried variety is like night and day. Its spicy yet refreshing flavour contributes to Italian, Greek, and Spanish cuisine. Fresh oregano adds a boost of flavour that just can't be beat. Easy to grow either in the garden or indoors.

Minutina, also known as Erba Stella is a unique, cold weather salad green prized in Italy for its mild nutty flavour and crunchy texture. This perennial can be grown all winter in temperate climates. With a mild nutty flavour and crunchy texture it is a great addition to salad mixes or for stir-frying.

Peppermint is a perennial favorite for many people, it has high menthol content and its refreshing taste is uplifting and cleansing. Popular for infusions and a favourite among herbal tea drinkers, it is one of the easiest herbs to grow yourself. Get creative and include in Schnapps, Mint Juleps or Mojitos!

When it comes to cantaloupes, some people agree that the French do it better. Sweet and juicy, 'Cantaloupe di Charentais' melons are delicate fruits, about the size of a grapefruit, ther flesh is firmer and richer than your average cantaloupe. Sweet with a taste of honey, the thick, luscious flesh is delicious right down to the rind.

Members of the oregano family are an essential plant for a well-stocked, sunny herb garden. Fragrant and very decorative, Sweet Marjoram is an essential culinary herb, good with veal, beef, lamb, roast poultry and fish. The leaves are best used fresh, as their flavour is sweeter and milder.

Lettuce Meraviglia d'Inverno is truly a ‘Marvel of Winter’, it is from one of the coldest regions of Italy and is hardy to around minus 10°C (14°F). Compact and tender, it will stand in perfect condition right through winter and can be harvested from September right through to March.