Mixed salad leaves such as Oriental, French and Continental mix

When to sow Now

Sowing knowhow Sow thinly 1-2cm (½-¾in) deep in drills 30-45cm (12-18in) apart, depending on mix (more closely for intensive cropping).

Harvest Pick young leaves at 2 weeks or more

Mine’s bigger than yours

It’s shovels at dawn at the village hall, as the vegetable showing season reaches its peak

Background

• Vegging Out: how to start a vegetable patch

• Enjoying the fruits — and veg — of your labour

• Get plotting

• Your midsummer sowing guide

Related Internet Links

• How to start a vegetable garden

The vegetable patch

Have you grown a prize parsnip or a trophy tomato? Send us a picture - we'll showcase the best

Background

• Growing kinds of chilli. . .

• Go ahead, pack it in

• Seeds of change

• Dolce vita on a plate

• Salad days that last forever

Background

• Salad days that last forever

• Grow your own meals

• Dolce vita on a plate

• Go ahead, pack it in

• Seeds of change

Good with Barbecues

Rocket (salad and wild)

When to sow Now to end of July

Sowing knowhow Sow thinly 1cm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart. Can sow more closely for intensive cropping in containers

Harvest Pick young leaves at 2 weeks or more. Can overwinter for early crops in spring

Good with Wild rocket is peppery in salads and makes great pesto. Salad rocket is milder, for salads and risotto

Radish including 'French Breakfast', 'Cherry Belle' and 'Scarlet Globe'

When to sow Now to September at 10-day intervals for steady supply

Sowing knowhow Sow thinly 1cm (½in) deep in drills 15cm (6in) apart. Or sow a few seeds into pots, thinning to a plant every 2cm (1in)

Harvest Pick in 3-4 weeks

Good with "Hot" flavour for salads

Lettuces including 'Salad Bowl' (red and green), 'Lollo Rossa' and oak leaf varieties

When to sow Now

Sowing knowhow Sow thinly 1cm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart. Can sow more closely for intensive cropping in containers

Harvest Pick young leaves at 2 weeks or more

Good with Any fresh salad vegetables

Ruby chard

When to sow Now to mid-August

Sowing knowhow Sow thinly 1cm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart. For containers, sow a few seeds in a small pot and plant out young plants 10-15cm (4-6in) apart

Harvest Baby leaves at 3 weeks

Good with Adds colour and substance to salad. Mature leaves can be cooked like spinach

Lamb's lettuce (corn salad)

When to sow Now to end of August

Sowing knowhow Sow thinly 1cm (½in) deep in drills 15cm (6in) apart Harvest Pick leaves at 3-4 weeks. Can overwinter under cloches

Good with Good winter salad addition but leaves are fairly bitter

Dwarf French beans

When to sow Now to end of July

Sowing knowhow Sow 5cm (2in) deep 20cm (8in) apart. Or sow two seeds into individual pots, thinning to the strongest seedling, then plant out or grow on in larger containers

Harvest Pick in 6 weeks

Good with Classic with tuna and eggs in salade Niçoise

Parsley including 'Italian Giant' and 'Moss Curled'

When to sow Now to end of July. Can be slow to germinate Sowing knowhow Sow thinly 1cm (½in) deep and thin to 5cm (2in) apart

Harvest Pick leaves at 3-4 weeks. For winter use, pot up a couple of plants and grow on a windowsill

Good with Great in salads, as a garnish and in sauces with ham

Mustard (red and green) such as 'Giant Red', 'Golden Streaks' and 'Green in the Snow'

When to sow Now to end August

Sowing knowhow Sow thinly 1cm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart. For containers, sow a few seeds in a pot; plant out 10-15cm (4-6in) apart Harvest At 2 weeks. 'Green in the Snow' can be grown all year round

Good with Salads, stir-fries

Dwarf borlotti beans

When to sow Now to end of July

Sowing knowhow Sow 5cm (2in) deep, 20cm (8in) apart. Or sow two seeds into individual pots, thinning to the strongest seedling, then plant out or grow on in larger containers

Harvest Pick in 6 weeks

Good with Cook whole pods when young or pod the beans and add to soups and cassoulet

Kale including 'Nero di Toscana' and 'Red Russian'

When to sow Now

Sowing knowhow Sow thinly 1cm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart. Or sow a few seeds into small pots.

Harvest Pick baby leaves in 6 weeks or grow on for winter picking

Good with Fresh, "green" taste for salads when leaves are young. Older leaves are good steamed

Chicory and radicchio (red chicory) including 'Rossa di Treviso' and 'Sugar Loaf'

When to sow Now to end of July

Sowing knowhow Sow thinly 1cm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart. For containers, sow a few seeds in a small pot and plant out young plants 10-15cm (4-6in) apart

Harvest Leaves 3-4 weeks. Or wait until mature and harvest whole head

Good with Adds crunch to salad

Spring onions including 'White Lisbon'

When to sow Now to end of July

Sowing knowhow Sow thinly 2cm (1in) deep in drills 10cm (4in) apart. Or sow a few seeds into pots, thinning to a plant every 5cm (2in)

Harvest Pick in 4-6 weeks

Good with Eat raw or stir-fry in Thai and Chinese dishes

Beetroot including 'Pronto', 'Boltardy' and 'Bull's Blood'

When to sow Now to mid-July

Sowing knowhow Sow thinly 2cm (1in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart

Harvest Harvest baby beets in 6 weeks. For 'Bull's Blood' pick leaves regularly at 2-4 weeks

Good with The leaves add flavour and colour to salads. Cooked beets and goats cheese make a delicious starter

Coriander

When to sow Now to end of August. Repeat sow a couple of weeks apart for plenty of leaves

Sowing knowhow Sow thinly 1cm (½in) deep and then thin to 5cm (2in) apart

Harvest Pick leaves at 2-4 weeks or grow on for seeds

Good with Great in salads, curries and Thai dishes

Carrots including 'Amsterdam Forcing', 'Chantenay' and 'Early Nantes'

When to sow Now to September at 10-day intervals for steady supply

Sowing knowhow Sow very thinly 1cm (½in) deep in drills 15cm (6in) apart. Or sow a few seeds into pots

Harvest Pick in 4 weeks as baby roots

Good with Eat raw or steamed

Mizuna

When to sow Now to end of July

Sowing knowhow Sow thinly 1cm (½in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart. Can sow more closely for intensive cropping in containers

Harvest Pick young leaves at 2 weeks or more

Good with Adds spicy note to salads

Dwarf runner beans including 'Hestia'

When to sow Now to end of July

Sowing knowhow Sow 5cm (2in) deep 15cm (6in) apart. Or sow two seeds into individual pots, thinning to the strongest seedling, then plant out

Harvest In 6 weeks, until frost

Good with Cook whole pods when young — serve with tomatoes and garlic

Basil including 'Sweet Genovese'

When to sow Now to end August

Sowing knowhow Sow in cells or small pots and plant out or grow on in containers

Harvest Pick leaves regularly at 2-4 weeks

Good with Great in salads, especially with tomatoes, and many pasta dishes, or make your own pesto

Nasturtiums including 'Alaska' and 'Tom Thumb'

When to sow Now to mid-July

Sowing knowhow Sow 2cm (1in) deep, 15cm (6in) apart. Or sow into individual pots then plant out or grow on in larger containers

Harvest Leaves/flowers 3-4 weeks

Good with Both flowers and leaves are edible, and add colour and a peppery crunch to salads

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