Large, juicy, bright red sticks. Started in heat in late winter it can be harvested lightly the following year. Excellent for tarts, pies, jam, wine, forcing etc. and very easy to grow in any odd corner of the garden. Expect some variation in the seedlings.

Sow the seed in early spring individually 1.6mm (¼in) deep in 7.5cm (3in) pots of a good free draining seed compost. Keep the compost moist but not over wet until germination which takes 21-40 days at 20-25C (70-75F). Once the seedlings have emerged lower the temperature and later move to a cold frame before planting out in late spring.

Plant carefully, so as not to disturb the roots, 1m (3ft) apart in a good, fertile garden soil to which plenty of compost has been added.

Once planted do not move them again Water in dry weather, top dress around the crowns with a well rotted compost in early summer and repeat each year. In the second year a light picking can be made and in subsequent years, they can be picked until mid summer, always leaving at least 4 leaves per plant.