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Vegetables

62 free UK plant care guides

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  • Courgette (Cucurbita pepo): Yellow varieties such as 'Soleil' and compact patio types such as 'Patio Star' are popular for smaller gardens

    Courgette

    Cucurbita pepo

    Courgettes are one of the most productive and rewarding vegetables for a UK kitchen garden, capable of producing a glut …

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  • Agretti is an unusual Italian salad vegetable with thin, succulent, grass-like leaves that have a distinctive salty, mineral flavour

    Agretti

    Salsola soda

    Agretti is an unusual Italian salad vegetable with thin, succulent, grass-like leaves that have a distinctive salty, min…

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  • Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis): UK gardeners value asparagus for its delicious early-season harvest and relatively low maintenance once

    Asparagus

    Asparagus officinalis

    Asparagus is a perennial vegetable prized for its tender, flavourful spears that emerge each spring. Native to Europe an…

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  • Asparagus pea is a low-growing annual legume producing distinctive four-winged pods with a delicate asparagus-like flavour when harvested young

    Asparagus Pea

    Lotus tetragonolobus

    Asparagus pea is a low-growing annual legume producing distinctive four-winged pods with a delicate asparagus-like flavo…

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  • Aubergine is a tender perennial vegetable grown as an annual in the UK, producing glossy purple, white, or striped fruits on bushy plants with

    Aubergine

    Solanum melongena

    Aubergine is a tender perennial vegetable grown as an annual in the UK, producing glossy purple, white, or striped fruit…

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  • Beetroot (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris): The swollen tap roots range in colour from deep crimson to golden yellow or striped varieties, whilst the

    Beetroot

    Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

    Beetroot is a hardy biennial vegetable grown as an annual for its sweet, earthy roots and nutritious leaves. Originating…

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  • Broad Bean (Vicia faba): Their attractive white flowers with distinctive black markings also fix nitrogen in the soil, improving fertility for

    Broad Bean

    Vicia faba

    Broad beans are hardy, upright annual vegetables producing plump pods filled with nutritious beans, beloved in British g…

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  • Broccoli is a cool-season brassica grown for its dense, green flowering heads and tender stems

    Broccoli

    Brassica oleracea var. italica

    Broccoli is a cool-season brassica grown for its dense, green flowering heads and tender stems. Originally developed fro…

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  • Brussels sprouts are hardy biennial vegetables grown as annuals, producing tight, cabbage-like buds along tall, sturdy stems

    Brussels Sprout

    Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera

    Brussels sprouts are hardy biennial vegetables grown as annuals, producing tight, cabbage-like buds along tall, sturdy s…

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  • Butternut squash is a vigorous trailing vine producing distinctive bell-shaped fruits with sweet, nutty orange flesh and smooth tan skin

    Butternut Squash

    Cucurbita moschata

    Butternut squash is a vigorous trailing vine producing distinctive bell-shaped fruits with sweet, nutty orange flesh and…

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  • Cabbage is a hardy biennial vegetable grown as an annual for its dense, leafy heads that form in shades of green, red, or purple

    Cabbage

    Brassica oleracea var. capitata

    Cabbage is a hardy biennial vegetable grown as an annual for its dense, leafy heads that form in shades of green, red, o…

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  • Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus): Growing up to 2 metres tall, it produces dramatic silvery-grey, deeply divided leaves and thistle-like purple flowers

    Cardoon

    Cynara cardunculus

    Cardoon is a striking architectural perennial vegetable closely related to the globe artichoke, native to the Mediterran…

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  • Carrots are biennial vegetables grown as annuals for their sweet, crunchy taproots in shades of orange, purple, yellow, and white

    Carrot

    Daucus carota subsp. sativus

    Carrots are biennial vegetables grown as annuals for their sweet, crunchy taproots in shades of orange, purple, yellow, …

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  • Cauliflower is a cool-season brassica prized for its dense, white curd (immature flower head) that forms a compact dome surrounded by protective

    Cauliflower

    Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

    Cauliflower is a cool-season brassica prized for its dense, white curd (immature flower head) that forms a compact dome …

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  • Celeriac (Apium graveolens var. rapaceum): The plant forms a rosette of dark green celery-like leaves above ground whilst developing its edible root

    Celeriac

    Apium graveolens var. rapaceum

    Celeriac is a hardy root vegetable grown for its swollen, knobbly base rather than its stalks, producing a bulbous root …

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  • Celery is a biennial vegetable grown as an annual for its crisp, ribbed stalks that form tight bunches of pale green to white stems

    Celery

    Apium graveolens var. dulce

    Celery is a biennial vegetable grown as an annual for its crisp, ribbed stalks that form tight bunches of pale green to …

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  • Chicory is a hardy perennial vegetable grown as an annual in UK gardens, prized for its crisp, slightly bitter leaves and blanched chicons

    Chicory

    Cichorium intybus

    Chicory is a hardy perennial vegetable grown as an annual in UK gardens, prized for its crisp, slightly bitter leaves an…

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  • Chilli is a tender perennial grown as an annual in the UK, producing fiery fruits in shades of red, orange, yellow, and green

    Chilli

    Capsicum frutescens

    Chilli is a tender perennial grown as an annual in the UK, producing fiery fruits in shades of red, orange, yellow, and …

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  • Climbing French Bean is a vigorous annual vegetable producing long, slender green pods on twining stems that can reach 2 metres or more

    Climbing French Bean

    Phaseolus vulgaris

    Climbing French Bean is a vigorous annual vegetable producing long, slender green pods on twining stems that can reach 2…

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  • Cucumber (Cucumis sativus): The vigorous climbing or trailing plants produce large, rough leaves and yellow flowers followed by cylindrical green

    Cucumber

    Cucumis sativus

    Cucumber is a tender annual vine native to South Asia, grown throughout the UK for its crisp, refreshing fruits. The vig…

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  • Endive is a leafy salad vegetable closely related to chicory, forming rosettes of crisp, slightly bitter leaves that may be curly (frisée) or

    Endive

    Cichorium endivia

    Endive is a leafy salad vegetable closely related to chicory, forming rosettes of crisp, slightly bitter leaves that may…

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  • Florence fennel is a distinctive annual vegetable prized for its swollen, bulb-like stem base with a crisp texture and sweet anise flavour

    Florence Fennel

    Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum

    Florence fennel is a distinctive annual vegetable prized for its swollen, bulb-like stem base with a crisp texture and s…

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  • French beans are tender annual vegetables producing slender, edible pods on bushy or climbing plants with trifoliate leaves and white or pale purple

    French Bean

    Phaseolus vulgaris

    French beans are tender annual vegetables producing slender, edible pods on bushy or climbing plants with trifoliate lea…

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  • Garlic is a hardy bulbous perennial grown as an annual for its pungent, flavourful cloves, producing tall stems with strap-like grey-green leaves and

    Garlic

    Allium sativum

    Garlic is a hardy bulbous perennial grown as an annual for its pungent, flavourful cloves, producing tall stems with str…

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  • Globe artichoke is a striking architectural perennial vegetable with silvery-grey, deeply divided leaves and large, thistle-like flower heads that

    Globe Artichoke

    Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus

    Globe artichoke is a striking architectural perennial vegetable with silvery-grey, deeply divided leaves and large, this…

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  • Good King Henry (Blitum bonus-henricus): UK gardeners value it as a low-maintenance, early-season green that returns year after year, providing

    Good King Henry

    Blitum bonus-henricus

    Good King Henry is a hardy perennial vegetable native to Europe, producing arrow-shaped leaves and tall flower spikes. O…

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  • Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus): Native to North America, this tall plant produces cheerful yellow flowers in late summer and can reach

    Jerusalem Artichoke

    Helianthus tuberosus

    Jerusalem artichoke is a vigorous perennial sunflower grown for its knobbly, edible tubers that taste similar to globe a…

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  • Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica): With deeply curled or flat leaves in shades of green, purple, or black, this versatile crop has been

    Kale

    Brassica oleracea var. sabellica

    Kale is a hardy, leafy brassica renowned for its nutritional value and cold tolerance, making it an ideal winter vegetab…

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  • Kohlrabi is an unusual brassica vegetable forming a swollen, globe-shaped stem above ground, available in pale green or purple varieties

    Kohlrabi

    Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes

    Kohlrabi is an unusual brassica vegetable forming a swollen, globe-shaped stem above ground, available in pale green or …

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  • Komatsuna is a fast-growing Japanese mustard spinach with glossy, dark green leaves and tender stems that can be harvested at any stage from baby

    Komatsuna

    Brassica rapa var. perviridis

    Komatsuna is a fast-growing Japanese mustard spinach with glossy, dark green leaves and tender stems that can be harvest…

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  • Land cress is a hardy, fast-growing leafy vegetable with dark green, glossy leaves that resemble watercress in both appearance and peppery flavour

    Land Cress

    Barbarea verna

    Land cress is a hardy, fast-growing leafy vegetable with dark green, glossy leaves that resemble watercress in both appe…

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  • Leek is a hardy biennial vegetable grown as an annual for its long, white cylindrical stem and mild onion flavour

    Leek

    Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum

    Leek is a hardy biennial vegetable grown as an annual for its long, white cylindrical stem and mild onion flavour. Nativ…

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  • Lettuce is a fast-growing, leafy annual vegetable cultivated for its crisp, tender leaves that form loose or tight heads depending on variety

    Lettuce

    Lactuca sativa

    Lettuce is a fast-growing, leafy annual vegetable cultivated for its crisp, tender leaves that form loose or tight heads…

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  • Mangetout (Pisum sativum var. saccharatum): The delicate white or purple flowers are followed by crisp, bright green pods that are perfect for

    Mangetout

    Pisum sativum var. saccharatum

    Mangetout is a flat-podded pea variety grown for its tender, edible pods that are harvested before the peas inside fully…

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  • Mizuna is a fast-growing Japanese salad leaf with distinctive feathery, serrated leaves and a mild, peppery flavour

    Mizuna

    Brassica rapa var. japonica

    Mizuna is a fast-growing Japanese salad leaf with distinctive feathery, serrated leaves and a mild, peppery flavour. Thi…

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  • Onions are essential bulbous vegetables forming layered, papery-skinned bulbs in shades of white, yellow, or red

    Onion

    Allium cepa

    Onions are essential bulbous vegetables forming layered, papery-skinned bulbs in shades of white, yellow, or red. Native…

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  • Pak choi is a fast-growing Chinese cabbage with crisp white stems and dark green leaves, prized for its mild, slightly peppery flavour

    Pak Choi

    Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis

    Pak choi is a fast-growing Chinese cabbage with crisp white stems and dark green leaves, prized for its mild, slightly p…

    Care guide →
  • Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa): The plant produces feathery foliage above ground whilst developing its edible root below, making it an excellent choice

    Parsnip

    Pastinaca sativa

    Parsnip is a hardy biennial root vegetable grown as an annual, producing long, creamy-white taproots with a sweet, nutty…

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  • Pea (Pisum sativum): They produce delicate white or purple flowers followed by plump pods containing sweet, tender seeds that are a staple of the

    Pea

    Pisum sativum

    Peas are hardy annual climbers native to the Mediterranean and Near East, cultivated in Britain since medieval times. Th…

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  • Peppers are tender annual vegetables producing colourful, glossy fruits that ripen from green to red, yellow, orange, or purple depending on variety

    Pepper

    Capsicum annuum

    Peppers are tender annual vegetables producing colourful, glossy fruits that ripen from green to red, yellow, orange, or…

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  • Perpetual spinach is a hardy leaf beet closely related to chard, producing large, glossy green leaves with a mild flavour throughout the growing

    Perpetual Spinach

    Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

    Perpetual spinach is a hardy leaf beet closely related to chard, producing large, glossy green leaves with a mild flavou…

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  • Potato (Solanum tuberosum): Originally from South America, this herbaceous perennial (grown as an annual) produces upright stems with compound

    Potato

    Solanum tuberosum

    Potato is a staple vegetable crop grown throughout the UK for its starchy, edible tubers that develop underground. Origi…

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  • Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo): The plants produce large, lobed leaves and bright yellow flowers on trailing vines that can spread several metres across

    Pumpkin

    Cucurbita pepo

    Pumpkin is a vigorous, sprawling annual vegetable native to North America, grown for its large, round, orange fruits tha…

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  • Purslane is a succulent annual vegetable with fleshy, paddle-shaped leaves and reddish stems that sprawl along the ground

    Purslane

    Portulaca oleracea

    Purslane is a succulent annual vegetable with fleshy, paddle-shaped leaves and reddish stems that sprawl along the groun…

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  • Radish is a fast-growing root vegetable producing crisp, peppery roots in shades of red, white, pink, or purple, with edible green foliage above

    Radish

    Raphanus sativus

    Radish is a fast-growing root vegetable producing crisp, peppery roots in shades of red, white, pink, or purple, with ed…

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  • Rocket is a fast-growing, peppery salad leaf that has become a staple in British kitchens and allotments

    Rocket

    Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa

    Rocket is a fast-growing, peppery salad leaf that has become a staple in British kitchens and allotments. This Mediterra…

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  • Runner beans are vigorous climbing annuals beloved in British vegetable gardens for their prolific crops of long, flat green pods and attractive

    Runner Bean

    Phaseolus coccineus

    Runner beans are vigorous climbing annuals beloved in British vegetable gardens for their prolific crops of long, flat g…

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  • Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius): Native to the Mediterranean, it produces grass-like foliage and attractive purple daisy-like flowers in its second

    Salsify

    Tragopogon porrifolius

    Salsify is a hardy biennial vegetable grown for its long, tapering white roots with a delicate oyster-like flavour. Nati…

    Care guide →
  • Scorzonera (Scorzonera hispanica): The plant produces narrow, grass-like leaves and can reach up to 90cm tall if allowed to flower, though it is

    Scorzonera

    Scorzonera hispanica

    Scorzonera is a hardy perennial root vegetable grown as an annual, producing long, black-skinned taproots with delicate …

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  • Sea kale is a hardy perennial vegetable native to British coastal shingle beaches, prized for its tender blanched shoots and ornamental blue-grey

    Sea Kale

    Crambe maritima

    Sea kale is a hardy perennial vegetable native to British coastal shingle beaches, prized for its tender blanched shoots…

    Care guide →
  • Shallots are elegant members of the onion family, forming clusters of elongated, copper-skinned bulbs with a mild, sweet flavour prized in British

    Shallot

    Allium cepa var. aggregatum

    Shallots are elegant members of the onion family, forming clusters of elongated, copper-skinned bulbs with a mild, sweet…

    Care guide →
  • Spinach is a fast-growing, leafy annual vegetable prized for its nutritious, dark green leaves that can be harvested young for salads or mature for

    Spinach

    Spinacia oleracea

    Spinach is a fast-growing, leafy annual vegetable prized for its nutritious, dark green leaves that can be harvested you…

    Care guide →
  • Spring onions are fast-growing, slender alliums with crisp white stems and hollow green leaves, prized for their mild, fresh flavour

    Spring Onion

    Allium fistulosum

    Spring onions are fast-growing, slender alliums with crisp white stems and hollow green leaves, prized for their mild, f…

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  • Swede is a hardy root vegetable producing large, purple-skinned, yellow-fleshed roots with a sweet, earthy flavour

    Swede

    Brassica napus var. napobrassica

    Swede is a hardy root vegetable producing large, purple-skinned, yellow-fleshed roots with a sweet, earthy flavour. A cr…

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  • Sweet potato is a tender, trailing perennial grown as an annual for its edible tuberous roots, producing heart-shaped leaves and occasionally

    Sweet Potato

    Ipomoea batatas

    Sweet potato is a tender, trailing perennial grown as an annual for its edible tuberous roots, producing heart-shaped le…

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  • Sweetcorn is a tall, annual cereal crop native to Central America, grown in the UK for its sweet, tender kernels harvested in late summer

    Sweetcorn

    Zea mays

    Sweetcorn is a tall, annual cereal crop native to Central America, grown in the UK for its sweet, tender kernels harvest…

    Care guide →
  • Swiss chard is a hardy, leafy vegetable prized for its colourful stems in shades of red, yellow, white, and orange, alongside large, glossy green

    Swiss Chard

    Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

    Swiss chard is a hardy, leafy vegetable prized for its colourful stems in shades of red, yellow, white, and orange, alon…

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  • Tomatillo is a bushy annual vegetable native to Mexico, producing tangy green or purple fruits enclosed in papery husks

    Tomatillo

    Physalis ixocarpa

    Tomatillo is a bushy annual vegetable native to Mexico, producing tangy green or purple fruits enclosed in papery husks.…

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  • Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum): The tomato is a tender annual vegetable grown for its juicy, flavourful fruits that range from cherry-sized to large

    Tomato

    Solanum lycopersicum

    The tomato is a tender annual vegetable grown for its juicy, flavourful fruits that range from cherry-sized to large bee…

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  • Turnip is a fast-growing root vegetable with white or purple-tinged globular roots and edible leafy tops

    Turnip

    Brassica rapa subsp. rapa

    Turnip is a fast-growing root vegetable with white or purple-tinged globular roots and edible leafy tops. Originating fr…

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  • Watercress is a fast-growing aquatic perennial with dark green, peppery leaves that form floating mats in shallow water or very wet soil

    Watercress

    Nasturtium officinale

    Watercress is a fast-growing aquatic perennial with dark green, peppery leaves that form floating mats in shallow water …

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  • Winter squash is a vigorous, trailing annual vegetable producing large, hard-skinned fruits in shades of orange, green, grey, and blue

    Winter Squash

    Cucurbita maxima

    Winter squash is a vigorous, trailing annual vegetable producing large, hard-skinned fruits in shades of orange, green, …

    Care guide →
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