Sewing the seeds of contentment

IF YOU are new to vegetable growing and are glancing through your first seed catalogue, you may be feeling excited, but a little overwhelmed by the plethora of possibilities present before you.

Once upon a time, lettuce was simply lettuce. Now, however, Butterhead, Batavia, Cos, Crisp Head, Loose Leaf and Winter, with their hundreds of sub-varieties, are the norm. From risqué Roxy and Drunken Woman lettuce to twee-titled ‘Marvel of Four Seasons’, vegetable names can be just as intriguing as their unique tastes and appearances.

If you ask any seasoned vegetable grower which varieties they chose, they will be sure to list off their tried and tested favourites. Ask another gardener and you’ll probably get a different list.