[...] my seed and plant order has now grown to such an extent that I'm going to need to dig up half my flower garden to accommodate them all!
Although I started planning what crops I'd like to grow this summer well before Christmas, my plans have just been turned upside down. The February issue of Gardeners' World Magazine contains a feature on '100 Best Veg' varieties, an inspirational list of crops I just have to grow. A panel of 22 'grow your own' enthusiasts have nominated their all-time favourite crops, and it's quite a selection.
Who could resist growing Potato 'BF15', which Monty Don describes as "the best boiled potato I've ever eaten", or Tomato 'Gardener's Delight' - still Alan Titchmarsh's favourite. Or how about Carol Klein's choice of Beetroot 'Boltardy', which she describes as "always delicious … a joy as baby beets and unsurpassed as mature roots". The late John Cushnie, never a fan of vegetables, chose Tomato 'Ailsa Craig' as "unbeaten for flavour, perfect for growing in an unheated greenhouse".
The list goes on, and with 100 tempting crops my seed and plant order has now grown to such an extent that I'm going to need to dig up half my flower garden to accommodate them all!
My personal nominations for the list include:
1. Courgette 'Tromboncino'
2. Dwarf French Bean 'Maxi'
3. Mangetout 'Oregon Sugar Pod'
4. Sweetcorn 'Rising Sun'
5. Watercress 'Aqua'
And if I had to pick just one? Well, I trialled sweetcorn 'Rising Sun' last summer, and the memory of eating those crisp, sweet, delicious cobs in August still remains. My seed is ordered, and I can't wait to sow it in April for crops this summer. That's one down - I now just need space for the 99 others!
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