FIVE HARDY CROPS TO GROW UNDERCOVER

1 LAMB’S LETTUCE

Sometimes known as corn salad, it’s hardy down to -15C and has spoon-shaped, emerald leaves, below, with a mild, nutty flavour.

2 MUSTARD ‘GOLDEN STREAKS’

Its finely serrated, glowing yellow leaves have a sweet mustard taste with an unexpected hint of new potatoes.

3 PEA ‘TWINKLE’

Pea plants won’t produce pods indoors over winter, but this will provide nutritious, tasty shoots within three weeks of sowing.

4 SALAD BURNET

Native to western, central and southern Europe, its deeply divided leaves are best eaten when young for their cool, fresh cucumber flavour.

5 WINTER PURSLANE

Known as miner’s lettuce in its native North America, this has extremely juicy, heartshaped leaves that are a good source of vitamin C.