Cucumbers have been cultivated for about 3000 years, with many different varieties being developed from four closely related species to suit different tastes and uses. The fruit ranges from the tiny pickling cornichon of France and the common green cucumber to the related African horned cucumber, or kiwano, and the sweet Armenian cucumber.
Blackcurrants are hardy shrubs, easy to grow and long-lived in cool climate districts. The dark, acid berries are richer in vitamin C than almost any other garden fruit. Redcurrants and white currants are close relatives, although they have a different growth habit. They, too, are long-lived in the garden and highly productive.
The olive (Olea europaea) is a small tree native to the coastal Mediterranean region, where it has been grown for at least 5500 years. Trees can be extraordinarily ancient - some have been authenticated as reaching 1500 years old.
Everything you need to know about growing your own artichokes..
In the wild, blueberries grow in acid, moorland soil. In the garden they need a moist, peaty, very acid soil and an open, sunny position.
Find tips for planting and growing Broccoli, and learn the health benefits of Broccoli
Find all the gardening tips and advice you need to grow lavender.
Mulberry trees mature into very large specimens so are not suitable for a small garden. But if you do have the space, the mulberry is well worth considering. It has a graceful, elegant habit and attractive foliage, and it produces abundant delicious fruit, with which you can make excellent jams and wines.
While spices may seem an overly ambitious addition to the garden, those spices related to ginger, such as cardamom, galangal and turmeric, can be grown in many warmer districts. Other spices can be grown easily in regions with tropical climates. The plants can add great beauty to the garden, while the intensely fresh fragrance and flavour will be a revelation to the cook.
Apricots were cultivated in China from about 2000 BCE and have since spread around the world. Today, the famous apricot belt stretches from Turkey to Turkestan via Iran, but any place with a Mediterranean climate of dry hot summers and cool winters will suit the apricot admirably.
Growing tomatoes isn't rocket science, so why not give it a go? Get plenty of useful tips on how to grow tomato plants
