Dig into the joy of a life outdoors
Find peace and purpose by reconnecting with nature, creativity and the joy of making things in your own patch of paradise.
Discover extraordinary, unusual, and beautiful plants from around the world — each with growing and care tips to help you cultivate these weird and wonderful species in your own space.
Phaseolus coccineus
Runner bean, Scarlet runner bean
A vigorous twining climber with bright scarlet, white or pink flowers and long green pods, grown…
- Full sun
- 2–3 m (7–10 ft)
- H2 · Zone 10
Zea mays
Sweetcorn, Sweet corn, Maize
A tall, grassy summer crop with plumed tassels, grown in blocks for sweet, juicy cobs eaten…
- Full sun
- 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft)
- H2 · Zone 10
Pastinaca sativa
Parsnip
A very hardy root crop with long, creamy, sweet-flavoured roots that improve after frost and stand…
- Full sun
- 30–60 cm (12–24 in)
- H6 · Zone 4
Lactuca sativa
Lettuce
The classic salad crop, fast and easy in cool weather, with types from crisp hearting heads…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 15–30 cm (6–12 in)
- H3 · Zone 9
Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa
Rocket, Arugula, Salad rocket
A fast, peppery salad leaf ready in about four weeks, with pretty cream, purple-veined flowers that…
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 20–60 cm (8–24 in)
- H4 · Zone 8
Asparagus officinalis
Asparagus
A long-lived, very hardy perennial vegetable cropping tender spears in spring for 20 years or more,…
- Full sun
- 1.2–1.8 m (4–6 ft)
- H7 · Zone 3
