Vegetable Crops

There is no end to the range of vegetable you can try to grow in your garden. Apart from the main salad, cabbage, root, pea and bean groups, several other important crops deserve your attention if you decide to expand the variety of fresh produce you grow.

You can start by thinking of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, aubergines, onions, garlic, leeks, marrows and courgettes.

If you garden is not as big as you wanted to be you can always save your space with mini-vegetables.
Fist-size cauliflowers and carrots no larger than a little finger could be your choice. The emphasis is changing from monster crops to compact varieties planted close together so that a tiny patch can yield a whole range of fresh, more delicately-flavored, miniature vegetables.

As follow you will see some short descriptions of the most common vegetable that grow in our garden:

	Asparagus is a herbaceous perennial that prefers a deep, free-draining soil. Young edible shoots are produced in late spring and early summer. This plant will prove very useful for deterring some harmful eelworms.
	Beet is a biennial plant grown as an annual that likes full sun and a deep, fertile soil. Swollen roots are eaten cooked and raw leaves can also be eaten cooked. The leaves accumulate minerals, making them ideal for composting.
	Broad beans is a hardy annual that is capable of growing outdoors over winter. Edible seeds, young pods and shoots are all eaten cooked. Plant around gooseberry in order to discourage gooseberry sawflies.
	Brussels sprouts is a biennial grown as an annual that prefers a heavy, well-drained soil. Young edible buds or shoot tips usually eaten cooked. Grow older cultivars that have longer cropping season.
	Cabbage is a biennial plant grown as annual that likes full sun and a deep, fertile soil. Grown for their edible leaves, which are eaten either cooked or raw. Very rich in vitamin C, especially when eaten raw.
	Carrot is a biennial plant grown as an annual that likes full sun and a deep, fertile soil. Grown for their edible orange roots that can be eaten raw or cooked. Use the cultivar “Flyaway” to avoid carrot rust flies.
	Cauliflower is grown as an annual, this plant prefers a warm, sheltered site. Immature flowerheads and leaves are edible either cooked or raw. Grows well with garlic, onions, beets and chard.
	Chard is a biennial plant grown as an annual that likes full sun and a deep, fertile soil. Edible leaves and fleshy leaf stalks are eaten after they are cooked. Rich in sodium, potassium and iron. Grows well with garlic, dill and sage.
	Cucumber is grown as an annual in a warm, sheltered site. Swollen edible fruits are eaten raw or cooked. Grows well with peas, beans, beets and carrots.
	Eggplant is grown as an annual, this plant prefers a warm, sheltered site. Egg-shaped edible fruits that are eaten cooked or raw in salads. Grows well with peas, thyme and tarragon as companions.
	Garlic is a perennial plant grown as an annual that likes full sun and a deep, fertile soil. Grown for their swollen leaf bases and leaves, which are eaten either raw or cooked. A natural medicine, this plant also deters aphids or surrounding crops.
	Kale is a a biennial plant grown as an annual that prefers a moist, well-drained soil. Immature leaves and shoots are edible either raw or cooked. A good source of vitamins E, C, iron and calcium.
	Leek is a biennial plant grown as an annual that likes full sun and a deep, fertile soil. Grown for their blanched leaf bases. Grown with carrots and onions, they help to deter rust flies.
	Lettuce is a annual plant with a short life span that prefers a moist, well-drained soil. Grown for their edible leaves, eaten either raw or cooked. Plant with chervil and dill to get some protection from aphids.
	Onion is a biennial plant grown as an annual that likes full sun and a deep, fertile soil. Grown for their swollen leaf bases and leaves, eaten raw or cooked. Grow seedlings under fine net or fleece to combat onion flies.
	Parsnip is a biennial plant grown as an annual that likes full sun and a deep, fertile soil. Swollen roots are eaten cooked or raw or used as a sweetener. It has the highest sugar content of any vegetable and high mineral content.
	Peas is a an annual rambling plant that prefers full sun and a deep, fertile soil. Edible seeds and pods are usually cooked before eating. Roots can harness nitrogen, which will become available for other crops.
	Pepper is grown as an annual, this plant prefers a warm, sheltered site. Large edible fruits that are eaten either cooked or raw in salads. Very rich in vitamin C, seeds and sap of some can be a skin irritant.
	Potato is a perennial plant grown as an annual that likes full sun and a deep, fertile soil. Grown for their swollen stems (tubers), which are edible when cooked. Prevent potato scab by planting them on a bed of comfrey leaves.
	Pumpkin is a an annual plant that prefers full sun and a light, well-drained soil. The leaves, fruits and seeds can be used cooked or raw in many dishes. Pumpkin seeds are said to contain high levels of important minerals.
	*Tomato* is grown as an annual, this plant prefers a warm, sheltered site. Round or plum-shaped edible fruits are eaten raw or cooked. Interplant with French marigolds to deter whiteflies.
	Turnip is a biennial plant grown as an annual that likes full sun and a deep, fertile soil. Swollen roots are eaten cooked or raw and the leaves can be eaten when cooked. Provides small amount of vitamin B and C. Grows well with peas.
	Zucchini is grown as an annual in a warm, sheltered site. Swollen edible fruits are eaten raw or cooked. Grows well when places alongside sweet corn.