Companion Planting

Dill Seeds (Anethum graveolens)

Bring fresh flavor and fragrance to your garden with Dill, a versatile culinary and medicinal herb. Known for its delicate feathery foliage and aromatic seeds, dill is a must-have for seasoning fish, soups, pickles, and salads. Easy to grow and quick to mature, it also attracts beneficial pollinators, making it a perfect addition to herb beds and kitchen gardens.

How to Grow

• Sow directly outdoors from spring to early summer.

• Prefers light, well-drained soil in full sun.

• Sow thinly, 0.5–1 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 15 cm spacing.

• Avoid transplanting as dill dislikes root disturbance.

Key Features

• Aromatic herb with feathery foliage and seeds

• Delicious for seasoning fish, soups, salads, and pickles

• Quick-growing and easy for beginners

• Attracts bees and beneficial insects

• Dual use: fresh leaves and dried seeds

Ideal For

• Home cooking and herbal tea

• Pickling and preserving vegetables

• Companion planting in the garden

• Attracting pollinators and beneficial insects

Sowing

• Best time: March to June

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Row spacing: 30 cm

• Plant spacing: 15 cm after thinning

• Harvest: Leaves in 6–8 weeks, seeds later in the season

Quick Tip

• For a continuous supply, sow dill little and often every 2–3 weeks through the summer.

Dill 'Bouquet' – Seeds (Anethum graveolens)

Dill 'Bouquet' is a fast-growing herb prized for its aromatic leaves, seeds, and delicate yellow flower heads. This popular variety is widely used in the kitchen – perfect for seasoning fish, pickles, sauces, salads, and soups. Its feathery foliage is also highly decorative, making it a dual-purpose plant for culinary and ornamental use.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: April – July directly where plants are to grow.

• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil in full sun.

• Spacing: Thin seedlings to 20–30 cm apart.

• Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged.

Key Features

• Popular dill variety with strong flavor

• Aromatic leaves, seeds, and flower heads

• Fast-growing and easy to cultivate

• Great for fresh use or drying

• Decorative feathery foliage

Ideal For

• Herb gardens and borders

• Culinary use in pickling, sauces, and fish dishes

• Companion planting with cucumbers and cabbages

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: April – July

• Harvest: Leaves from May onwards, seeds in late summer

Quick Tip

Harvest leaves early in the morning for maximum flavor. Sow little and often for a continuous supply throughout the season.

Broad Bean ‘Bison’ Seeds (Vicia faba)

Grow a reliable and productive crop with Broad Bean ‘Bison’ (Vicia faba). This classic variety produces large, tender beans perfect for fresh eating, cooking, or freezing. Hardy and easy to grow, it thrives in temperate gardens and helps improve soil fertility with natural nitrogen fixation.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds directly outdoors from early spring to late spring.

• Use well-drained, fertile soil in full sun to partial shade.

• Plant seeds 5 cm deep and 15–20 cm apart, with rows 50 cm apart.

• Support taller plants with stakes if necessary.

• Water regularly to keep soil moist but avoid waterlogging.

• Harvest beans when pods are well-filled but still tender.

Key Features

• Large, tender broad beans

• Hardy and productive variety

• Ideal for fresh eating, cooking, or freezing

• Improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation

• Reliable and easy to grow in temperate climates

Ideal For

• Vegetable gardens and allotments

• Fresh harvest for cooking or freezing

• Crop rotation and soil improvement

• Companion planting with nitrogen-demanding crops

Sowing

• Best time: Early to late spring outdoors

• Depth: 5 cm

• Spacing: 15–20 cm apart, rows 50 cm apart

• Prefers full sun to partial shade and fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Sow successive batches every 2–3 weeks for a longer harvest period.

Tomatillo Seeds (Physalis ixocarpa)

Bring authentic Mexican flavors to your garden with Tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa). These unique plants produce green, globe-shaped fruits wrapped in papery husks, with a tangy, citrusy flavor. Essential for salsas, sauces, and traditional dishes, tomatillos are productive, easy to grow, and a must-have for adventurous gardeners and home cooks.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

• Use fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.

• Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep; keep soil moist until germination (7–14 days).

• Transplant outdoors after frost, spacing plants 60 cm apart.

• Harvest when fruits fill their husks and turn green to light yellow.

Key Features

• Produces tangy, citrus-flavored green fruits

• Encased in decorative papery husks

• Perfect for salsas, sauces, and authentic Mexican cuisine

• High-yielding and easy to grow

• Thrives in gardens, allotments, and large containers

Ideal For

• Homemade salsa verde and traditional sauces

• Vegetable gardens and allotments

• Cooks and gardeners seeking something unique

• Companion planting with tomatoes and peppers

Sowing

• Best time: Indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost

• Depth: 0.5 cm

• Spacing: 60 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and rich, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Grow at least two plants together for better pollination and higher yields.

Caraway Seeds (Carum carvi)

Grow aromatic, versatile seeds with Caraway (Carum carvi). This hardy biennial herb produces feathery green foliage and crescent-shaped seeds with a warm, slightly sweet flavor, perfect for bread, cooking, and herbal remedies. Easy to grow, it’s ideal for herb gardens, kitchen beds, and pollinator-friendly plantings.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds directly outdoors from early spring to early summer.

• Use fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.

• Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep and thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart.

• Keep soil consistently moist for germination (10–20 days).

• Harvest seeds in late summer when the seed heads turn brown; cut and dry them for storage.

Key Features

• Feathery green foliage and aromatic crescent-shaped seeds

• Biennial, hardy, and easy to grow

• Ideal for baking, cooking, and herbal remedies

• Attracts pollinators and enhances garden biodiversity

• Suitable for herb gardens, kitchen beds, and companion planting

Ideal For

• Herb gardens and kitchen beds

• Baking, cooking, and spice blends

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Homegrown culinary and medicinal use

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring to early summer outdoors

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 20–25 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Harvest seeds when seed heads are fully brown and dry them in a warm, airy place for long-term storage.

Batavian Lettuce 'Canasta' – Seeds (Lactuca sativa)

Enjoy crisp and tender leaves with Batavian Lettuce 'Canasta', a traditional variety known for its red-tinted, crinkled heads and excellent bolt resistance. This semi-heading lettuce produces large, crunchy leaves with a mild, sweet flavor, perfect for fresh salads or as a base for summer dishes. Hardy and versatile, 'Canasta' thrives even in warmer weather, making it a reliable choice for gardeners.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors from February to April or directly outdoors from March to July
. Sow thinly, 0.5 cm deep, in rows 25–30 cm apart
. Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart to allow full head development
. Prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil
. Water consistently to prevent bitterness and promote tender leaves

Key Features

. Traditional Batavian lettuce with semi-heading form
. Large, crisp leaves with red-tinged edges
. Mild, sweet flavor perfect for fresh salads
. Excellent bolt resistance in warm conditions
. Easy to grow and high yielding

Ideal For

. Summer salads and fresh eating
. Home gardens and allotments
. Gardeners seeking heat-tolerant lettuce
. Companion planting in vegetable beds

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: February – July
. Harvest: May – September

Quick Tip

Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continuous growth, or allow full heads to form for a crunchy centerpiece lettuce.

Radish ‘Gigante Siculo’ Seeds (Raphanus sativus)

Grow impressive, crisp radishes with Radish ‘Gigante Siculo’ (Raphanus sativus). This unique variety produces large, elongated roots with mild, sweet flavor, perfect for salads, roasting, or pickling. Easy to grow and fast-maturing, it provides a striking addition to vegetable gardens and kitchen beds.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds directly outdoors from early spring to late summer.

• Use well-drained, fertile soil in full sun.

• Sow seeds 1–2 cm deep and thin seedlings to 10–15 cm apart.

• Keep soil consistently moist for best growth.

• Harvest roots when they reach full size but remain tender.

Key Features

• Large, elongated roots with mild, sweet flavor

• Fast-maturing and easy to grow

• Ideal for salads, roasting, or pickling

• Adds visual interest to vegetable gardens

• Hardy and productive variety

Ideal For

• Vegetable gardens and kitchen beds

• Fresh salads, cooking, and pickling

• Companion planting with leafy greens

• Showcasing unique, large radishes in garden displays

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring to late summer outdoors

• Depth: 1–2 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 10–15 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Sow in successive batches for a continuous supply of large, crisp roots.

Pea ‘Onward’ Seeds (Pisum sativum)

Enjoy a reliable and early harvest with Pea ‘Onward’ (Pisum sativum). This hardy climbing variety produces long, tender pods filled with sweet, flavorful peas, perfect for fresh eating, steaming, or freezing. Easy to grow and highly productive, it’s ideal for vegetable gardens, allotments, and homegrown culinary use.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds directly outdoors from early spring as soon as the soil can be worked.

• Use well-drained, fertile soil in full sun to partial shade.

• Sow seeds 3–5 cm deep and 5–7 cm apart in rows 50–60 cm apart.

• Provide stakes, netting, or a trellis for climbing growth.

• Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

• Harvest pods when fully formed but still tender for best flavor.

Key Features

• Early-maturing climbing variety with long, tender pods

• Hardy and highly productive

• Ideal for fresh eating, steaming, or freezing

• Easy to grow in temperate climates

• Perfect for vegetable gardens and allotments

Ideal For

• Vegetable gardens and allotments

• Fresh harvest for cooking and freezing

• Climbing support with trellises or stakes

• Companion planting with nitrogen-fixing crops

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring outdoors

• Depth: 3–5 cm

• Spacing: 5–7 cm apart, rows 50–60 cm apart

• Prefers full sun to partial shade and fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Sow successive batches every 2–3 weeks to enjoy a continuous early-season harvest.