Product Description
As I write my new mail out, it is not just freezing cold and wet in Franchi UK HQ in Harrow, but its snowing in many parts of Italy too.
Many of my customers have been saying that they are late in sowing. But they are not late, its the season that is late and you have to sow with the seasons. There is a wonderful Italian saying which is apt right now translates to "Before you look down, look up" which is perfect.
You can even still sow tomatoes till at least the end of April and Cherry tomatoes till the middle of May and they will mature and fruit if not a little later than normal and these are perfect for a polytunnel, greenhouse or sunny protected part of the garden.
I have chosen some Child Friendly veg for this edition, but you certainly don't have to be a child to enjoy these heritage gastronomic varieties, some of which are very easy to grow as well.
PEA 'PICCOLO PROVENZALE' - May is the last month you can sow spring peas for a late summer harvest (before sowing them again in autumn for spring). This is a low variety at 40cm producing sweet garden peas which are child friendly and shelling peas is the perfect activity for them!
CIMA DI RAPA BROCCOLI RAAB 40 - May is the start of the Brassica season and this Puglian Broccoli is the one traditionally used with 'Orecchiette' pasta (little ears). That aside, this mild broccoli grows in just 40 days and so is ideal for a monthly staggered sowing until August!
SUNFLOWER 'ALTO GIALLO' - growing to 150cm tall, sunflowers are important for birds who will feed on the seeds in the head and they attract insects and bees too which are important in your veg plot. And lets not forget how beautiful they are too. May is the perfect month for sowing Sunflowers.
PUMPKIN MUSCADE DE PROVENCE - Whilst not one of those bland halloween style pumpkins, it can still be used for carving but the best thing is these are the quality flavoursome pumpkins you would see growing all over Provence in the summer. They are medium sized and a heritage variety.
You will receive a sowing guide and catalogue with recipes free as well as the seeds for £10 posted, a saving of £4.95
Remember to come and visit us at the RHS Hampton Court Flower show and you can purchase Franchi seeds at the RHS gardens at Wisley.
