Tomato ‘Black Russian’ has a distinct, rich flavour
Broad bean ‘Crimson Flowered’
The highly decorative ‘Crimson Flowered’ with velvety, dark purple flowers dates back to the 1800s and is making a real comeback. It’s a hardy variety, and grows to 90cm (35in) high with a spread up to 45cm (18in), and produces a generous crop of short, upright pods, which makes them easy to pick. Each plump pod contains around five beans of an excellent flavour.
‘Crimson Flowered’ is easy to grow in a sunny spot protected from wind in a rich, fertile soil. Sow seeds directly into prepared ground, 5cm (2in) deep and 23cm (9in) apart, from March to April and water well.
Tomato ‘Black Russian’
‘Black Russian’ is a compact, cordon variety, reaching a height of 200cm (79in) and spread of 50cm (20in), with maroon flesh and a distinct, rich flavour.
You can start it off now from seed indoors, in a frost-free greenhouse or on a windowsill. Sow the seeds on the surface of pots or trays filled with seed compost, covering lightly with a thin layer of compost or Vermiculite, before watering.
Place them somewhere warm, ideally at a temperature of 15-20C (60-68F). Once germinated and large enough to handle, pot the seedlings on and keep them at a temperature of around 15C (59F).
Harden the young plants off in May, then transplant outside in June in a sunny spot in rich soil. Regularly pinching out any sideshoots and growing tips encourages the tomato plants to form a strong central stem, which will then bear a generous amount of fruit.