New Oasis Thumbs Up Pot Vegies are great small-space gardeners who long to grow their own healthy, flavoursome vegetables, but who have, until now, been unable to accommodate large growing varieties in their gardens.

All Oasis Thumbs Up Pot Vegies have been selected specifically for their suitability for pot culture, high yielding nature, superior taste and overall attractiveness of habit. In fact, most varieties are so compact they require little staking, tying or pruning to stay looking and tasting good. Naturally, Pot Vegies varieties are equally suited to garden beds and the traditional vegetable patch too.

Sustainable gardening has never been easier with all Oasis Thumbs Up vegetables available in fully biodegradable pots made from cornstarch. When gardening with Oasis biodegradable pots, do not plant the seedling into the ground still in its container. Simply remove the pot, plant the seedling in the regular way, and discard the empty pot into your regular household compost. No worry, no wastage.

Broad Bean ‘Early Crop’ is a Mediterranean variety that matures more quickly than other broad beans. The green pods reach 17-20cm in length and each generally contains between seven and 10 beans. Broad beans are best eaten when young and tender. The seeds of this variety turn purple when dried. ‘Early Crop’ grows to around 1.4m in height and benefits from a support or trellis. Use a 20cm pot with good drainage, alternatively, plant into the vegie patch at 20cm intervals, in rows 50cm apart. Bed up soil to ensure good drainage.

Lettuce ‘Profusion’ is a flavoursome mix of green and red loose-leaf lettuces that may be picked leaf by leaf for a prolific, long-lasting harvest. Plant Lettuce Profusion in its own container or combine with other Pot Vegies varieties. Harvest outside leaves first. Start with plenty of organic matter and keep well watered in hot weather.

Pak Choi ‘Mix’ is a selection of green stemmed and white-stemmed varieties. These vigorous, oriental vegetables are easy to grow in pots and have tasty leaves and stems that may be used in stir-fries, salads, and soups and for pickling. Pick tender outside leaves as needed or harvest the entire plant. A 30 or 40cm pot is ideal and Pak Choi may also be grown successfully in the vegetable patch. For best results fertilise regularly with a high nitrogen (N) fertiliser, and protect from caterpillars.

Silverbeet ‘Tricolour’ has brilliantly coloured stalks making it an attractive addition to patio and balcony planters. This silverbeet grows to 30-40cm in height and is ready to harvest in 7-9 weeks. Best eaten when young and tender. Harvest outside leaves first. Separate the seedlings before planting into a good quality potting mix. Mulch and weed regularly. Keep watered during hot weather.

Born and bred locally and sold as potted plants worldwide, Madeiras (Argyranthemum hybrid) are hardy, reliable daisies and an outstanding choice for Australian conditions. Madeira plants are both extremely versatile and highly floriferous; they show exceptional heat and drought tolerance once established.

From Autumn 2008, there will be two fantastic new Madeira varieties to choose from, ‘Single Violet’ and ‘Double Blush Pink’ available in seedling punnets. Both are attractive neat, compact plants that grow to around 40cm in height with a spread of approximately 75cm.

To create a dramatic display in pots and garden beds plant new Madeira ‘Single Violet’. This variety produces single flowers with intensely violet-pink petals surrounding bright yellow centres. Alternatively, for a pretty, subtle result select the new delightful and dainty double-flowered ‘Double Blush Pink’.

Hardy Maderia plants are ideal for easy-care border plantings along fence-lines and driveways, and look outstanding when planted in groups of three or four about the garden. Other Madeira varieties are also available in a wide range of single and double-flower forms in colours ranging from white and pink to lemon.