Alphabetical Vegetable List

This alphabetical vegetable list gives general cultivation, growing and harvesting information along with a few tips for success.

Most vegetables are easy to grow and most can be grown in containers.

And there is just no beating their taste.

Straight from the garden into the kitchen and on to the plate, there is just nothing better.

Vegetables you grow yourself even look better, they look more appetizing than shop vegetables and you know they are fresh.

You also know they are not covered in chemicals and pesticides.

Alltogether your home grown vegetables are simply the best.

Artichoke - Globe
Easy to grow from seed or young plants
Takes two years to mature from seed
Young plants mature the same year as planted
Needs plenty of manure every year in spring
Will crop every year
Plant in full sun but shelter from cold winds
Water well in summer
Mulch with bark or similar in winter
Varieties to try: Green Globe, Violetta di Chioggia

Asparagus
Can be grown from seed or young plants
Takes three years to mature from seed
Young plants mature same year as planted
Requires looking after time throughout growing season
Needs lots of space, not suitable for small garden or containers
Needs lost of manure every spring
Plant in full sun but shelter from cold winds
Does not like clay soil
Soil must be very free draining
Will crop every year for at least twenty years
Varieties to try: Jersey Giant, Jersey Knight Improved

Aubergine
Easy to grow from seed or young plants
Needs full sun and warmth
Best grown in containers in greenhouse or conservatory
Keep well watered in growing season
Feed twice a week
Varieties to try: Violetta Lunga, Moneymaker

Bean - Broad
Easy to grow from seed or young plants
Needs fertile, well drained soil for best results
Grow in full sun
When plants are flowering pinch out the top 10cm (4inch) of the leading shoot
Water well during flowering and bean growing periods
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Sow/plant in either single or double rows
Double rows normally produce the biggest crop
Needs support, canes or netting
Harvest as soon as possible, this will maintain a continuous supply of beans
Varieties to try: Aquadulce, Jubilee Hysor, The Sutton

Bean - French
Easy to grow from seed or young plants
Needs fertile, well drained soil for best results
Do not plant out until all risk of frost has gone
Grow in full sun
Water well during flowering and bean growing periods
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Sow/plant in either single or double rows
Double rows normally produce the biggest crop
Needs support, canes or netting
Harvest as soon as possible, this will maintain a continuous supply of beans
Varieties to try: Cobra, Fasold, Delinel

Bean - Runner
Easy to grow from seed or young plants
Needs fertile, well drained soil for best results
Do not plant out until all risk of frost has gone
Grow in full sun
Water well during flowering and bean growing periods
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Sow/plant in either single or double rows
Double rows normally produce the biggest crop
Needs support, canes or netting
Harvest as soon as possible, this will maintain a continuous supply of beans

Beet - Leaf
Easy to grow from seed or young plants
Needs fertile, well drained soil for best results
Grow in full sun
Water well during flowering and bean growing periods
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Harvest outer leaves as soon as they are large enough to handle, this will encourage continuous growth through to next year
Varieties to try: Bright Lights, Rhubard Chard

Beetroot
Easy to grow from seed
Sow in succession from April to June for continues supply
Needs well drained soil
Do not grow in newly manured soil
Water well in growing periods
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Harvest as soon as mature do not leave in ground too long as the will go to seed
Will store well in dry sand or peat in dry, dark, frost free place
Varieties to try: Kestrel, Red Ace, Solo

Broccoli
Fairly easy to grow from seed or young plants
Needs fertile, well drained soil for best results
Grow in full sun
Water well during growing periods
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Harvest central flower heads as they mature and leave plant to produce more flower heads
Varieties to try: Autumn Spear, Green Magic, Redhead

Brussels Sprouts
Fairly easy to grow from seed or young plants
Needs fertile, well drained soil for best results
Grow in full sun
Needs shelter from cold winds
Water well during growing periods
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Harvest as sprouts mature
Varieties to try: Crispus, Revenge, Wellington

Cabbage - Chinese
Easy to grow from seed
Needs fertile, well drained soil for best results
Water well during growing periods
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Harvest by cutting just above soil level and before seed stalks appear
Varieties to try: Candisa, Minicole, Greyhound

Cabbage - Spring
Fairly easy to grow from seed or young plants
Grow in full sun
Needs fertile, well drained soil for best results
Water well during growing periods
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Harvest by cutting just above soil level as heads mature
Varieties to try: April, Durham Early, Tarvoy

Cabbage - Summer
Fairly easy to grow from seed or young plants
Grow in full sun
Needs fertile, well drained soil for best results
Water well during growing periods
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Harvest by cutting just above soil level as heads mature
Varieties to try: Greyhound, Hispi F1, Red Jewel F1

Cabbage - Winter
Fairly easy to grow from seed or young plants
Grow in full sun
Needs fertile, well drained soil for best results
Water well during growing periods
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Varieties to try: Brigadier F1, Tundra, Tarvoy

Calabrese
Easy to grow from seeds or young plants
Does not like root disturbance, sow seeds in peat pots or modules
Grow in full sun
Shelter from cold winds
Harvest central head first leaving side shoots for second crop
Varieties to try: Sakura Speedy

Carrot
Easy to grow from seed
Sow in succession, every two or three weeks
Long varieties need a deeply dug soil
Short varieties will grow in a shallow soil
Choose the sunniest spot
Shelter from cold winds
Water well in growing season
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Harvest as soon as they are big enough to handle
Varieties to try: Early Nantes, Mokum F1, Flyaway F1
Mokum F1 are ideal for growing in containers

Cauliflower
Easy to grow from seed and young plants
Requires deeply dug and fertile soil
Choose the sunniest spot
Shelter from cold winds
Avoid frost pockets for autumn, fall, and winter varieties
Water well in growing season
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Harvest as soon they mature
Varieties to try: All-the-Year-Round, Autumn Giant, Gipsy F1, Kilaton F1, Winter Aalsmeer

Celeriac
Not so easy to grow from seed
Start seeds indoors
Do not grow on newly manured soil
Apply manure to the soil year before growing
Soil should be free draining
Choose the sunniest spot
Shelter from cold winds
Avoid frost pockets for autumn, fall, and winter varieties
Water well in growing season
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Earth up around the plants the plants as they grow
Harvest as soon they mature
Varieties to try: Monarch

Celery
Easy to grow from seed
Requires a rich well drained soil
Growing in trenches is easiest way to blanch plants
Fill trench to cover plant stems as they grow
Choose the sunniest spot
Shelter from cold winds
Water well in growing season
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Harvest as soon they mature
Varieties to try: Galaxy, Green Utah

Chicory
Fairly easy to grow from seed
Requires deep dug soil
Requires a well drained soil
Soil should retain moisture
Soil should be well manured previous autumn, fall
Choose the sunniest spot
Shelter from cold winds
Water well in growing season do not let them dry out
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Harvest as soon they mature
Varieties to try: Apollo, Monarch
Apollo suitable for growing in containers

Courgette
Fairly easy to grow from seed
Sow two seeds side by side
After germination remove the weakest one
Requires a well drained soil
Soil should be manured the previous autumn, fall
Sprinkle a general fertiliser two weeks before sowing seeds
Choose the sunniest spot
Shelter from cold winds
Water well in growing season do not let them dry out
Feed regularly throughout growing period
Harvest on a regular basis as soon they mature to ensure a heavy crop
Varieties to try: All green Bush, El Greco F1, Solell F1

Cucumber Indoor
Fairly easy to grow from seed
Sow two seeds in a pot and place in a heated propagator
After germination remove the weakest one
Transplant into grow bags or large pots
Keep in greenhouse
Support with canes and tie in as they grow
When plants have six leaves pinch out the growing tip
Keep compost moist but not saturated
Feed regularly every week
Harvest as soon they mature
Varieties to try: Carmen, Tiffany

Cucumber Outdoor
Fairly easy to grow from seed or young plants
Requires deep dug soil
Requires well manured soil
Best results obtained from raised beds
Choose the sunniest spot
Shelter from cold winds
Sow two seeds in pots indoors
After germination remove the weakest one
Transplant into garden after hardening off and all risk of frost has gone
Support not required but allow enough room between each plant so they can trail
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week
Harvest as soon they mature
Varieties to try: Burpless Tasty Green F1, Swing F1

Endive
Fairly easy to grow from seed
Requires well manured soil
Soil must be free draining
Choose the sunniest spot
Shelter from cold winds
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest as soon they mature
Varieties to try: Escarole Alaska
Suitable for container growing

Garlic
Easy to grow from cloves
Requires deep and well dug soil
Requires well manured soil
Soil must be free draining
Choose the sunniest spot
Shelter from cold winds
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest as soon they mature when top leaves turn yellow or brown
Varieties to try: Arno, Solent Wight

Kale
Easy to grow from seed
Add manure to the soil the autumn, fall, before growing
Soil must be free draining
Choose the sunniest spot
Shelter from cold winds
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Remove yellowing leaves
Harvest only as required, Kale will not store well
Varieties to try: Dwarf Green Curled, Scarlet, Walking Stick

Kohl Rabi
Farley easy to grow from seed
Requires a well manured soil
Soil must be free draining
Choose the sunniest spot
Shelter from cold winds
Sprinkle a general fertilizer on soil a week before sowing seeds
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest only as required, Kale will not store well
Varieties to try: Kolibri F1, Purple Danube F1

Leek
Fairly easy to grow from seed and young plants
Requires a deep dug soil
Dig in plenty of manure the winter before sowing seeds or planting young plants
Soil must be free draining
Choose the sunniest spot
Shelter from cold winds
Sprinkle a general fertilizer on soil a week before planting
Sowing seeds direct in soil is easier and gives best results
Sow seeds in trench and draw soil around stems as plants grow
Plant young plants in trench or deepish holes, draw soil around stems as plants grow
Keep well watered
Will benefit from a mulch in dry weather
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest as they mature, lift carefully with a fork, do not disturb adjacent plants
Varieties to try: Carlton F1, Probella, Winter Atlanta

Lettuce
Farley easy to grow from seed and young plants
Sow seeds in succession every two weeks
Requires a deep dug soil
Dig in plenty of manure the winter before sowing seeds or planting young plants
Soil must be free draining
Soil needs to able to retain moisture
Choose a shaded spot
Shelter from cold winds
Sprinkle a general fertilizer on soil a week before planting
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest as they mature
Varieties to try: All The Year Round, Cassandra, Tom Thumb, Little Gem, Winter Gem
Most varieties suitable for container growing

Marrow
Farley easy to grow from seed and young plants
Requires a deep dug soil
Dig in plenty of manure the winter before sowing seeds or planting young plants
Soil must be free draining
Soil needs to able to retain moisture
Requires full sun
Shelter from cold winds
Sprinkle a general fertilizer on soil a week before planting
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest as they mature, marrow loose flavour if left to long on the plant
Varieties to try: tiger Cross F1, Long Green Bush

Onion
Easy to grow from seed or sets
Requires a deep dug soil
Dig in plenty of manure the winter before sowing seeds or planting young plants
Soil must be free draining
Soil needs to able to retain moisture
Soil should be raked to fine tilth before sowing seeds or planting sets
Requires full sun
Shelter from cold winds
Sprinkle a general fertilizer on soil a week before sowing seeds or planting young plants
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest as they mature
Varieties to try: Ailsa Craig, stanfield, Supasweet F1
Many varieties are suitable for container growing

Parsnip
Easy to grow from seed
Requires a deep dug soil free of stones
Dig in plenty of manure the winter before sowing seeds
Soil must be free draining
Soil needs to able to retain moisture
Requires full sun
Shelter from cold winds
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest as they mature
Leave in ground until required rather than store
Varieties to try: Gladiator F1, Tender and True, White Gem
White Gem are suitable for growing in containers

Pea
Easy to grow from seed
Only sow seeds in dry warm weather, if soil is too wet and cold they will rot
Sow seeds in succession every two weeks
Requires a deep dug soil
Dig in plenty of manure the winter before sowing seeds or planting young plants
Soil must be free draining
Soil needs to able to retain moisture
Requires full sun
Best sown in trench 5cm (12 inches) deep
Plants will need support as they grow
Shelter from cold winds
Sprinkle a general fertilizer on soil a week before sowing seeds
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest as they mature
Varieties to try: Ambassador, Kelvedon Wonder, Meteor

Pepper
Easy to grow from seed
Best grown in containers
Sow seeds in pots and place in heated propagator
When seedlings large enough to handle transplant into your containers
Use potting compost, do not use garden soil in containers
Ensure container is free draining
Compost should retain moisture
Requires full sun
Shelter from cold winds
Usually grows best on sheltered sunny patio than in a greenhouse
Feed every week during growing season with a general liquid fertilizer
Keep well watered
Harvest as they mature
Varieties to try: Gypsy F1, Mohawk F1, Redskin F1

Potato
Easy to grow from seed potatoes
Chit seeds before planting
Requires a deep dug soil
Dig in plenty of manure the winter before sowing seed potatoes
Soil must be free draining
Soil needs to be able to retain moisture
Sow in trench 15cm (six inches) deep
Requires full sun
Avoid frost pockets
Shelter from cold winds
Sprinkle a general fertilizer on soil a week before sowing
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Earth up (draw soil around) plants as they grow
Harvest as the flowers fully open
Only harvest as required
Varieties to try:
First Earlies - Maris Bard, Rocket
Second Earlies - Estima, Nadine, Maris Peer
Main Crop - Maris Piper, King Edward, Romano

Radish
Easy to grow from seed
Dig in plenty of manure the winter before sowing seeds or planting young plants
Requires shelter from mid-summer sun
Shelter from cold winds
Feed every week during growing season with a general liquid fertilizer
Keep well watered
Harvest as they mature
Varieties to try: Flamboyant Sabina, Rougette, Sparkler
Ideal for growing in containers

Rhubarb
Easy to grow from seed or young plants
Young plants are easier and quicker than seed
Requires a deep dug soil to a depth of 60cm (24 inches)
Dig in plenty of manure one month before planting
Plant will remain in same position for ten years or more
Will not tolerate root disturbance, so do not move once established
Soil must be free draining
Soil needs to able to retain moisture
Plant in the sunniest position
Shelter from cold winds
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest as stems mature
Varieties to try: Glaskins Perpetual, Stockbridge Arrow, Victoria

Salsify
Easy to grow from seed
Requires a deep dug soil free of stones
Dig in plenty of manure the winter before sowing seeds
Soil must be free draining
Soil needs to be able to retain moisture
Requires full sun
Shelter from cold winds
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest as they mature
Varieties to try: Salsify Giant

Shallot
Easy to grow from seed or sets
Easiest and quickest to grow from sets
Dig in plenty of manure the winter before sowing seeds or planting young plants
Soil must be free draining
Soil needs to able to retain moisture
Soil should be raked to fine tilth before sowing seeds or planting sets
Requires full sun
Shelter from cold winds
Sprinkle a general fertilizer on soil a week before planting
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest as they mature
Varieties to try: Delved-French, Golden Gourmet, Red Gourmet

Spinach
Easy to grow from seed or young plants
Easiest and quickest to grow from sets
Requires deep dug soil to a depth of 30cm (12 inches)
Dig in plenty of manure the winter before sowing seeds or planting young plants
Soil must be free draining
Soil needs to be able to retain moisture
Requires full sun
Shelter from cold winds
Sprinkle a general fertilizer on soil a week before planting
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest leaves as they mature
Varieties to try: Medania, Perpetual, Scenic F1

Swede
Easy to grow from seed
Requires deep dug soil
Dig in plenty of manure the autumn, fall before sowing seeds or planting young plants
Soil must be free draining
Soil needs to be able to retain moisture
Requires full sun
Shelter from cold winds
Sprinkle a general fertilizer on soil a week before planting
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every two weeks with a general fertiliser
Harvest as they mature
Varieties to try: Brora, Invitation,Virtue

Sweet Corn
Easy to grow from seed or young plants
Requires deep dug soil
Dig in plenty of manure the autumn, fall before sowing seeds or planting young plants
Soil must be free draining
Soil needs to be able to retain moisture
Choose the sunniest position
Shelter from cold and strong winds
Sprinkle a general fertilizer on soil a week before planting
Plant them in blocks for best results
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every two weeks with a general fertiliser
Harvest as they mature
Varieties to try: Butterscotch F1, Extra Tender And Sweet F1, Lark F1

Tomato - Indoor
Easy to grow from seed and young plants
Grow in grow bags or containers
Use potting compost, do not use garden soil in containers
Grow bags and containers should be free draining
Compost needs to retain moisture
Requires full sun
Shelter from cold drafts
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest as they mature
Varieties to try: Country Taste, Sungold, Tamina

Tomato - Outdoor
Easy to grow from seed and young plants
Ideal growing position against south facing fence or wall
Dig in plenty of manure the autumn, fall before sowing seeds or planting young plants
Soil must be free draining
Soil needs to be able to retain moisture
Requires full sun
Shelter from cold winds
Sprinkle a general fertilizer on soil a week before planting
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest as they mature
Varieties to try: Ailsa Craig, Alicante, Moneymaker

Turnip
Easy to grow from seed
Dig in plenty of manure the autumn, fall before sowing seeds or planting young plants
Soil must be free draining
Soil needs to be able to retain moisture
Requires full sun
Shelter from cold winds
Sprinkle a general fertilizer on soil a week before planting
Keep well watered
Feed regularly every week with a general fertiliser
Harvest as they mature
Varieties to try: Golden Ball, Snowball, Top Milan

If you want any further information on growing vegetables or propagating and growing any of your favourite gardening plants successfully please feel free to contact us

About vegetables..... read more

All about vegetable growing..... read more

Vegetable garden layout..... read more

Planting times for garden vegetables..... read more

Container vegetable gardening..... read more

Vegetable gardening tips..... read more

Potato gardening..... read more

Potato botany..... read more

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