Cherry Tomato

Beefsteak tomatoes produce the large, meaty fruits that are perfect for slicing into sandwiches and burgers. They need a long growing season in the UK, so starting seeds early under cover is essential. These are almost always grown as cordons — train them up a single stem, removing side shoots weekly. Each truss produces fewer but much larger fruits than cherry types, often weighing 200–500g each. They benefit from greenhouse growing in cooler regions, though sheltered outdoor spots in the south can produce good results. Consistent watering is critical; irregular watering causes blossom end rot and fruit splitting. Stop the plant at 4–5 trusses to ensure fruits ripen before autumn.

Nantes carrots are the gold standard for flavour — sweet, crisp, and cylindrical with a smooth skin that barely needs peeling. They perform well in most UK soils but prefer light, stone-free ground to grow straight. If your soil is heavy clay, grow them in raised beds or deep containers filled with sandy compost. Sow thinly to avoid the need for heavy thinning, which attracts carrot fly. Cover rows with fine mesh or enviromesh as a physical barrier against carrot fly — this is far more reliable than companion planting alone. Successional sowing from March to July gives you carrots from June through to winter. Late sowings can be left in the ground over winter under a thick mulch of straw.

Butterhead lettuce produces soft, rounded heads with tender, buttery-textured leaves that melt in the mouth. It's one of the quickest salad crops to grow — ready in as little as 8 weeks from sowing. Unlike iceberg types, butterheads tolerate partial shade and are less likely to bolt in warm spells. Sow small batches every 2–3 weeks from March to September for a continuous supply. They work well as an intercrop between slower-growing vegetables like brassicas and leeks. Water consistently but avoid wetting the leaves to reduce the risk of grey mould. 'All the Year Round' is the classic UK variety and lives up to its name, performing well in almost every season.

Maris Piper is the UK's best-selling potato variety and arguably the most versatile — brilliant for roasting, chipping, mashing, and baking. It's a second early to maincrop type, planted from mid-March to April and harvested from July onwards. Chit (sprout) seed potatoes in egg boxes on a cool windowsill from February to get a head start. Plant in trenches 12cm deep and earth up as shoots emerge, mounding soil around the stems to prevent tubers turning green. Potatoes are hungry feeders — incorporate plenty of well-rotted compost or manure before planting. They're also excellent for breaking in new ground, as the earthing-up process and dense foliage suppress weeds. Harvest when the foliage starts to yellow and die back. Leave tubers to dry on the soil surface for a few hours before storing in hessian sacks in a cool, dark place.