Thompson and Morgan has unveiled a new winter squash seed - Jaspée de Vendée, which is believed to be one of the sweetest winter squash variety available.

This new variety is so sweet that the flesh can be eaten raw, just like a melon. The squash has a semi-busy habit, with each plant producing several good-sized fruit of up 2.2kgs in weight. The fruit grows from late summer until frosts and stores very well.

Colin Randel, vegetable product manager at Thompson and Morgan, said: "The seed initially took off on the continent and was picked up by our Dutch contacts. They have been using the seed for a couple of years and have found it very sweet. We undertook some trials with the seed this year in Ipswich which saw pleasing results with lots of fruit being produced. As long as the fruit is cut before the frost it stores well. We have high hopes for the seed in the UK for the coming season."

Its sweet flavour makes it suitable for flans, cakes, jams, soups and purees. The Jaspée de Vendée is priced at £1.99 for six seed and is only available from the 2004 Thompson and Morgan seed catalogue.

The company also has two new Petunia seeds. The Petunia Flambe Salmon has a unique colour combination of yellow, washed over with pink shading. Secondly, is the Petunia Merlin Blue Morn, which has white centred blooms. Both varieties are best sown from February to April and are priced at £1.99 for 40 seeds.

Topics