Easy to Grow Seeds

Gherkin Cucumber 'Zefir' F1 – Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

Gherkin Cucumber 'Zefir' F1 is a high-yielding hybrid variety, producing uniform, small, crunchy fruits with a sweet, tangy flavor perfect for pickling or fresh snacking. Its compact growth habit makes it ideal for greenhouse, polytunnel, or well-protected outdoor cultivation.

This variety is known for its early production, disease resistance, and consistent fruit quality, making it a reliable choice for home gardeners and small-scale growers.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – April

• Sow outdoors: May – June, after the last frost

• Depth: 1–2 cm

• Spacing: 30–40 cm apart, rows 60–80 cm apart

• Support: Can be grown along the ground or on low trellises

• Position: Full sun, warm and sheltered

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained, rich in organic matter

• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist

Key Features

• Hybrid variety with uniform, small crunchy fruits

• Perfect for pickling, fresh eating, or salads

• Early and high-yielding with reliable production

• Compact, disease-resistant, ideal for protected cultivation

• Strong flavor and consistent fruit quality

Harvest

• Harvesting period: July – September

• Pick fruits when small and firm for the best crunch.

Short Tip

Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production and maintain fruit quality.

Swede – Seeds (Brassica napus)

Swede (also known as rutabaga or Swedish turnip) is a hardy root vegetable that produces large, round roots with golden-yellow flesh and a sweet, earthy flavor. It is an excellent choice for winter storage and a versatile kitchen staple, ideal for roasting, mashing, stews, and soups.

This traditional cool-season crop is easy to grow, highly nutritious, and a reliable addition to any vegetable garden or allotment.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: May – July

• Depth: 1–2 cm

• Spacing: 20 cm apart in rows 40 cm apart

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, firm, well-drained soil enriched with compost

• Watering: Keep soil moist during dry spells to avoid woody roots

Key Features

• Traditional root crop with sweet, golden-yellow flesh

• Excellent for roasting, mashing, soups, and stews

• Stores well for use throughout winter

• Hardy and reliable in cooler climates

• Easy to grow with minimal care

Harvest

• Harvesting period: October – February

• Lift roots as needed for fresh use or store for winter months.

Short Tip

Thin seedlings early to give roots space to develop fully.

Celery 'Westland' – Seeds (Apium graveolens)

Celery 'Westland' is a vigorous, reliable variety that produces tall, crisp, and succulent stalks with a mild, aromatic flavor. It is well-suited for both home gardens and market growing, offering consistent yields of high-quality stems. Perfect for use in salads, soups, stews, or as a fresh crunchy snack.

This variety has excellent disease resistance and strong growth, making it one of the most dependable choices for gardeners looking to grow celery successfully.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Transplant outdoors: May – June after hardening off

• Depth: Surface sow and cover very lightly

• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart in rows 30–40 cm apart

• Position: Full sun, sheltered site

• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained with plenty of organic matter

• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist

Key Features

• Produces tall, crisp, and aromatic stalks

• Excellent for fresh eating, cooking, and juicing

• Strong disease resistance and reliable yields

• Ideal for home gardeners and allotments

• Suitable for summer and autumn harvests

Harvest

• Harvesting period: August – October

• Cut stems as required for fresh use.

Short Tip

Keep soil consistently moist to prevent celery from becoming tough or stringy.

Cucumber 'Crystal Apple' – Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

Cucumber 'Crystal Apple' is a charming and productive heirloom variety that produces small, round fruits resembling pale green to creamy white apples. The fruits have a crisp, juicy texture and a mild, refreshing flavor – excellent for fresh eating, salads, or pickling.

This variety is highly prolific, easy to grow, and particularly well-suited to cooler climates. Its compact growth habit makes it ideal for home gardens, allotments, and greenhouse cultivation.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: April – May

• Sow outdoors: May – June (after last frost)

• Depth: 1–2 cm

• Spacing: 30–45 cm apart

• Support: Can be grown along the ground or trained up trellises

• Position: Full sun, sheltered spot

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained, rich in organic matter

Key Features

• Unusual apple-shaped cucumbers with crisp, mild taste

• Heirloom variety with excellent productivity

• Great eaten fresh, in salads, or for pickling

• Suitable for outdoor or greenhouse growing

• Thrives in cooler climates

Harvest

• Harvesting period: July – September

• Pick fruits when young and tender for best flavor.

Summer Savory 'Midget' – Seeds (Satureja hortensis)

Summer Savory ‘Midget’ is a compact, fast-growing annual herb, prized for its spicy, peppery flavour that resembles thyme and oregano. This dwarf variety is especially suited for container growing, raised beds, and small herb gardens.

Traditionally used to season bean dishes, meats, soups, and stews, it is also excellent fresh or dried as a versatile culinary herb. With its neat, bushy growth habit and aromatic leaves, ‘Midget’ is both decorative and useful in the kitchen.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – April in pots or trays

• Sow outdoors: April – June, directly into prepared soil

• Depth: Lightly cover seeds with soil (approx. 0.5 cm)

• Spacing: 20–25 cm between plants

• Position: Sunny, well-drained spot

• Soil: Light, sandy, moderately fertile

Key Features

• Compact dwarf variety – ideal for pots and small spaces

• Distinct peppery flavour – a classic bean seasoning

• Culinary herb for meats, stews, soups, and sauces

• Can be used fresh or dried

• Hardy, quick-growing, and easy to maintain

Harvesting

• Harvest from: June – September

• Pick fresh leaves regularly to encourage new growth.

• For winter use, cut and dry whole sprigs just before flowering.

Black Seeded Lettuce 'Simpson' – Seeds (Lactuca sativa)

The Black Seeded Simpson is one of the most popular heirloom lettuce varieties, prized for its tender, crinkled, light-green leaves and mild, delicate flavour. A fast-growing, early maturing leaf lettuce, it produces abundant loose heads that can be harvested young as baby leaves or allowed to mature for larger harvests.

This variety is particularly valued for its tolerance to heat compared to other lettuces, making it a reliable choice for continuous cropping throughout the season. Ideal for fresh salads, sandwiches, and garnishes.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: March – August, thinly in rows 30 cm apart

• Sow indoors/under cover: February – March for early crops

• Depth: 0.5 cm, cover lightly with soil

• Thin/Plant spacing: 20–25 cm apart

• Position: Full sun or partial shade

• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained

Key Features

• Loose-leaf heirloom lettuce with crinkled, tender leaves

• Fast-growing and early maturing

• Heat-tolerant and slow to bolt

• Excellent for cut-and-come-again harvests

• Great for salads, wraps, and garnishes

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – August

• Harvest: April – October

Courgette 'Tapir' – Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

The Courgette 'Tapir' is a reliable, high-yielding variety that produces glossy, dark green fruits with excellent flavor and texture. Its uniform shape and smooth skin make it an ideal choice for home gardens and allotments. A vigorous and productive plant, it ensures a steady supply of fresh courgettes throughout the summer.

Best harvested young for tender flesh and mild taste, 'Tapir' courgettes are versatile in the kitchen – perfect for grilling, stir-fries, baking, or slicing into salads.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: April – May in pots or seed trays

• Sow outdoors: Late May – June after frost has passed

• Spacing: 60–90 cm apart

• Soil: Rich, well-drained, moisture-retentive soil

• Position: Full sun

• Care: Water regularly and pick fruits frequently to encourage further cropping

Key Features

• Glossy, dark green courgettes with tender texture

• High-yielding and uniform fruiting variety

• Versatile in the kitchen – use fresh, cooked, or baked

• Vigorous and reliable cropper throughout summer

• Easy to grow in beds, borders, or large containers

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: April – June

• Harvest: July – September

Courgette 'Goldena' – Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

The Courgette 'Goldena' is a vibrant golden-yellow zucchini variety that adds both beauty and productivity to the garden. Its smooth, glossy fruits have a delicate, sweet flavor and tender texture, making them perfect for grilling, roasting, stir-fries, or slicing into fresh summer salads.

This vigorous and high-yielding plant produces abundantly throughout the summer, offering a continuous harvest of attractive golden courgettes. Compact and easy to grow, it thrives in beds, borders, or large containers.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: April – May in pots

• Sow outdoors: Late May – June after last frost

• Spacing: 60–90 cm apart

• Soil: Fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained

• Position: Full sun

• Care: Water regularly and harvest fruits young for best taste and productivity

Key Features

• Striking golden-yellow courgette variety

• Sweet, tender flavor ideal for cooking or salads

• High-yielding and continuous summer harvest

• Compact plants suitable for gardens or containers

• Easy to grow and highly ornamental

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: April – June

• Harvest: July – September

Radish 'Saxa 2' – Seeds (Raphanus sativus)

The Radish 'Saxa 2' is a traditional and fast-growing round radish variety, producing smooth red-skinned roots with crisp, tender white flesh. Renowned for its mild, refreshing taste, it’s a favorite for salads, garnishes, or snacking straight from the garden.

Perfect for early sowings, this variety matures quickly and can be grown in succession for a steady supply throughout the season. Compact and reliable, it performs well in both open ground and containers.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: February – September

• Spacing: 2–3 cm apart in rows 15–20 cm apart

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained, moisture-retentive soil

• Position: Sunny or semi-shaded spot

• Care: Keep soil moist for tender, juicy roots and prevent splitting

Key Features

• Classic round radish with bright red skin

• Crisp, mild white flesh with refreshing flavor

• Fast-maturing and ideal for succession sowing

• Excellent for early sowings in spring and autumn

• Suitable for open ground and container growing

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – September

• Harvest: April – October