Seasonal Varieties

John's Purple

John Purves, Oxford, originally obtained this carrot in the mid 1970s and over many years managed to produce a pure line of purple carrots from four he found amongst a bag given to him by a neighbour for his rabbits. He passed on some of his seeds to HRI, Wellesbourne, for their long-term preservation. With John’s consent, some were released to us. John says, “Tastes like an orange carrot - crisp and flavoursome”.

Black Sugarsweet

This variety of Turnip was sent to HSL in 1994 by HSL Member Debby Banham, who bought it from a seed stall in La Ramblas, possibly the most famous street in the heart of Barcelona. It has a very long, sweet root that keeps well, even in winter. The white flesh is firm with a sugary flavour. Let us know what you think about this one.

New England Sugar Pie

The original small sugar pumpkin of New England, USA was first described by Fearing Burr in The Field and Garden Vegetables of America (1863). Trailing plants produce orange, almost oval fruits with light ribbing and a tough, smooth skin. These fruits weigh in at around 2kg and have smooth, sweet flesh.

Ryders Coco Bean

This ex-commercial variety of French Bean was supplied by the seed merchant Ryders of St Albans during the 1950s. Our donor, Joan Cullen, has grown them for more than 30 years. Flat, deep purple pods follow the pretty purple flowers. Best picked young whilst small and smooth, when the beans are succulent and stringless with a sweet and nutty flavour. Seed Guardian Alison Backen says, “These beans are great”, see what you think.

Sugar Plum

We received this variety of Tomato from two separate donors, Mrs Winch of Bristol and Mr O’Connor of Colchester, in response to our Seed Search appeal in the late 1990s. Both donors had been saving their own seed for more than 25 years. The grape-shaped, sweet, red tomatoes grow in large clusters and ripen early. This variety came out on top in taste tests at Garden Organic, consistently described as “excellent”.