IT'S very easy to get stuck in a rut when choosing vegetable seeds, but it really is fun to try out a few new things each spring.

Last year, Gardening Which? trailed over 50 new varieties at their Demonstration Garden in Golden Acre Park, Leeds.

Here are just half a dozen that really caught my eye.

Fancy lettuce is always good fun to grow and attractive enough for the flower border too. Freckles is rich green with deep red flecks and Flamenco a bronzy-red oakleaf type. Both have good looks and good flavour.

Eye-catching Bright Yellow chard is good for stir-fries, or you can cook the leaves like spinach, and the stems like celery.

Dwarf French bean Yin Yang is unremarkable if picked and eaten green, but leave the pods to dry off and the ripe beans turn a startling black and white.

Perfect for a spiritually balanced cassoulet.

Also with unusual colours, the sweetcorn Indian Summer has multicoloured kernels, and tastes good too.

And finally if your Christmas sprouts were disappointing, how can you resist trying the fine-tasting Brilliant? All these varieties are available from Mr Fothergills Tel 01638 552512 www.mr-fothergills.co.uk or Thompson & Morgan Tel 01473 688821. www.thompson-morgan.com