August is a good month to start sowing seeds of summer vegetables and flowers. Last year a top range of seeds was launched onto the market for home gardeners of superior vegetable varieties.
It is a range of seeds called 'Chefs Best' distributed by Ican. Ican brand has been developed by a group of independent garden centres with the aim to put quality and value first, addressing the issue that we are in an age where price is often pushed lower at the compromise of quality.
Garden experts have carried out extensive trials and sought advice from vegetable seed specialists in NZ and internationally, to find the very best varieties for the NZ home gardener. The group of independent garden centres have chosen 15 of the very best vegetable varieties for NZ home gardeners.
Read more: Gareth Carter: Seven steps to the best potatoes
Gardening: Tips for fixing a soggy wet garden
Grow your own fruit to harvest
The varieties have been selected for the following characteristics; Superior Taste, Improved Pest and Disease resistance, Increased Vigour and Yield. In addition they are consistent and reliable. A number of the varieties are also more compact, and faster maturing, which results in a larger range from less space, and the ability to produce more crops through the season. Many are ideal for raised planter beds and container gardening.