Crop library
24 crops to compare with your space
Use these pages as transparent references. Month, cultivar, current weather and microclimate still need a local check.
Leafy crop
Broccoli
A space-hungry brassica that needs steady growth, firm soil or compost and regular inspection.
Open crop pageCauliflower
A demanding brassica whose curd quality depends on a suitable cultivar, generous root room and uninterrupted growth.
Open crop pageKale
A robust leafy brassica that can extend harvest into cool weather when plants establish with adequate space.
Open crop pageLettuce
A shallow-rooted leafy crop for succession sowing in cool to mild conditions and reliably moist soil or compost.
Open crop pageChard
A productive leafy crop for repeated harvest when roots have adequate depth and moisture remains steady.
Open crop pageHerb
Basil
A tender aromatic herb for a warm, bright and sheltered position with even moisture and free drainage.
Open crop pageCoriander
A quick herb for repeat sowing in cool to mild conditions, with a tendency to flower rapidly under stress.
Open crop pageMint
A vigorous perennial herb that tolerates some shade and is often best contained to control spread.
Open crop pageFruiting crop
Sweet pepper
A tender long-season fruiting crop that normally needs protected early warmth and a bright sheltered summer position.
Open crop pageChilli
A tender pepper grown for heat and flavour that needs a long bright season and controlled early warmth.
Open crop pageCucumber
A tender climbing or trailing crop that needs warmth, generous root volume, regular water and the right cultivar for its setting.
Open crop pageAubergine
A very warmth-demanding fruiting crop usually best treated as protected cultivation in the UK.
Open crop pagePumpkin
A sprawling frost-tender crop that needs warm soil, substantial root space, pollination and enough season to mature fruit.
Open crop pageSweetcorn
A tall wind-pollinated crop that needs a warm sheltered block, generous root room and reliable moisture.
Open crop pageTomato
A frost-tender fruiting crop needing strong light, generous roots, stable support and even moisture.
Open crop pageCourgette
A large fast-growing tender crop that can yield heavily with sun, root room, pollination and frequent picking.
Open crop pageRoot crop
Beetroot
A compact root crop suited to beds or deep pots when the soil stays loose and evenly moist.
Open crop pageCarrots
A direct-sown root crop that needs fine, stone-free soil or deep compost and steady moisture during emergence.
Open crop pageRadishes
A quick direct-sown root crop for small repeated batches in cool, evenly moist conditions.
Open crop pageSweet potato
A frost-tender long-season vine grown from suitable slips in warm, deep and free-draining soil.
Open crop page