Quick Growing Vegetables

Lettuce Cos ‘Paris White’ – Seeds

(Lactuca sativa)

Lettuce Cos ‘Paris White’ is a classic Romaine-type lettuce known for its crisp texture, tender hearts, and mild, sweet flavor. This reliable heirloom produces upright, compact heads with pale green leaves that blanch naturally to creamy white centers. Perfect for Caesar salads, sandwiches, and fresh garden dishes, it’s a favorite among home gardeners and chefs alike.

Key Features

• Type: Romaine (Cos) lettuce

• Growth Habit: Upright, compact heads

• Leaf Color: Pale green outer leaves with creamy white hearts

• Flavor: Mild, crisp, and sweet

• Days to Maturity: 70–80 days

• Resistance: Tolerates cooler temperatures and light frost

• Harvest: Mid-summer to autumn

Ideal For

• Crisp salads and Caesar-style dishes

• Home gardens, raised beds, and containers

• Continuous harvest or cut-and-come-again use

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March – July

• Harvest: May – September

• Spacing: 25 × 30 cm

• Position: Full sun or partial shade

• Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil

Care Tips

• Keep soil consistently moist for best texture.

• Harvest in the morning for the freshest leaves.

• For a steady supply, sow every 2–3 weeks.

Radish ‘Ria’ – Seeds (Raphanus sativus)

Radish ‘Ria’ is a fast-growing, reliable variety producing uniform round roots with bright red skin and crisp, white flesh. Known for its mild, refreshing flavor, this radish is perfect for quick harvests and fresh salads. It matures rapidly, making it an excellent choice for successional sowing and continuous cropping throughout spring and summer.

How to Grow

• Sow direct outdoors: March – September in finely prepared soil.

• Sow thinly in rows, 1 cm deep, leaving 10 cm between rows.

• Thin seedlings to 2–3 cm apart.

• Water regularly to avoid woody or split roots.

Key Features

• Fast-maturing and easy to grow

• Round, bright red roots with crisp white flesh

• Mild, refreshing flavor

• Suitable for successional sowing

• Perfect for beginner gardeners

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and snacks

• Quick harvests in spring and summer

• Container growing or open ground

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – September

• Harvest: April – October (as little as 3–4 weeks after sowing)

Quick Tip

Sow little and often for a steady supply of tender radishes all season.

Lettuce 'Red Salad Bowl' Seeds (Lactuca sativa)

Brighten your salads with Lettuce 'Red Salad Bowl' (Lactuca sativa), a stunning loose-leaf variety producing deeply cut, oak-leaf shaped leaves in rich red-bronze tones. Tender, flavorful, and non-hearting, it offers a continuous supply of leaves when harvested regularly. Perfect for cut-and-come-again growing, this lettuce adds both color and taste to the summer garden.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds outdoors from spring to late summer.

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

• Sow thinly at 0.5 cm depth in rows 25–30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 20 cm spacing for best growth.

• Harvest young leaves regularly to encourage new growth.

Key Features

• Loose-leaf lettuce with oak-shaped red leaves

• Tender texture and mild, pleasant flavor

• Cut-and-come-again for continuous harvests

• Heat-tolerant and slow to bolt compared to other lettuces

• Attractive color for salads and garnishes

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and sandwiches

• Continuous harvesting through summer

• Containers, raised beds, and garden borders

• Gardeners seeking a colorful, easy-to-grow lettuce

Sowing

• Best time: Spring to late summer

• Depth: 0.5 cm

• Spacing: 20 cm apart

• Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Sow little and often for a steady supply of fresh, colorful leaves all season.

Leek 'Golem' Seeds (Allium porrum)

Grow strong, reliable crops with Leek 'Golem', a hardy variety that produces thick, white stems and dark green leaves. Known for its disease resistance and excellent cold tolerance, this leek performs well in both autumn and winter harvests. Its mild, sweet flavor makes it perfect for soups, stews, roasts, and hearty winter dishes. A dependable choice for home gardeners and allotments.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors from January to March or outdoors from March to April.

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

• Sow seeds 1–2 cm deep in trays or drills.

• Transplant seedlings when pencil-thick, spacing 15 cm apart in rows 30–40 cm apart.

• Earth up stems gradually to blanch for longer white shafts.

Key Features

• Robust leek variety with thick, white stems

• Excellent cold tolerance for winter cropping

• Mild, sweet flavor perfect for cooking

• Strong disease resistance for reliable harvests

• Suitable for autumn and winter gardens

Ideal For

• Autumn and winter harvesting

• Soups, stews, roasting, and traditional leek dishes

• Gardeners seeking hardy, disease-resistant crops

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

Sowing

• Best time: January–April

• Depth: 1–2 cm

• Spacing: 15 cm between plants, 30–40 cm between rows

• Position: Full sun, fertile soil

• Harvest: October to February

Quick Tip

• Trim roots and tops before transplanting to help plants establish quickly and grow strong.

Early Pea ‘Kelvedon Wonder’ Seeds (Pisum sativum)

Harvest sweet, tender peas early in the season with Early Pea ‘Kelvedon Wonder’ (Pisum sativum). This climbing variety produces long, plump pods packed with flavorful peas, perfect for fresh eating, steaming, or freezing. Hardy and highly productive, it’s ideal for vegetable gardens, allotments, and homegrown culinary delights.

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 variety with long, plump, sweet pods

• Hardy climbing and highly productive

• Ideal for fresh eating, steaming, or freezing

• Easy to grow in temperate climates

• Perfect for vegetable gardens and allotments

Ideal For

• Early-season vegetable gardens and allotments

• Fresh harvest for cooking or 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 for a continuous early-season harvest.

Cucumber ‘Obelix’ F1 – Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

Cucumber ‘Obelix’ F1 is a strong, reliable hybrid variety producing long, smooth, dark green fruits with a crisp bite and refreshing taste. Ideal for slicing and salads, this cucumber offers excellent disease resistance and a heavy yield over a long season. Perfect for both outdoor beds and greenhouse cultivation, it’s a gardener’s favorite for consistent quality.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: April – May in pots at 20–25°C.

• Transplant outdoors or into greenhouse after last frost.

• Space plants 60 cm apart.

• Train up supports or trellis for straighter fruits.

• Keep soil fertile and well-watered for best results.

Key Features

• F1 hybrid with vigorous growth

• Long, smooth, dark green fruits

• Crisp, mild, refreshing flavor

• Excellent disease resistance

• Suitable for outdoor or greenhouse growing

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and healthy snacking

• Summer-long harvests

• Home gardens, polytunnels, and allotments

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: April – May

• Harvest: June – September

Quick Tip

Harvest regularly to encourage continuous cropping and prevent fruits from becoming oversized.

Cucumber 'Beth Alpha' – Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

Bring authentic Middle Eastern flavor to your garden with Cucumber 'Beth Alpha', a classic heirloom variety renowned for its smooth, tender skin and crisp, juicy bite. Best harvested young at 10–15 cm, these nearly seedless cucumbers are delicious fresh, in salads, or for pickling. A reliable, early-cropping plant that thrives in warm, sunny spots.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors from April to May, 1–2 cm deep in pots
. Sow outdoors from late May to June once soil is warm and frost-free
. Plant 40 cm apart, in rows 90 cm apart, or grow vertically with support
. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun
. Keep soil moist and harvest regularly to extend production

Key Features

. Smooth-skinned, tender cucumbers with sweet flavor
. Harvest young for crisp, juicy texture
. Early, heavy-yielding variety
. Great for fresh eating or pickling
. Compact plants suitable for garden beds or greenhouse

Ideal For

. Fresh snacking straight from the garden
. Crisp summer salads and sandwiches
. Homemade pickles
. Gardeners looking for reliable, tasty cucumbers

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: April – June
. Harvest: July – September

Quick Tip

Pick fruits when small to enjoy the sweetest taste and to keep the plants producing longer.

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.

Beetroot 'Detroit 2 Crimson Globe' – Seeds (Beta vulgaris)

The classic Detroit 2 Crimson Globe beetroot is a reliable and popular variety, producing smooth, round roots with deep crimson flesh. Known for its sweet, earthy flavor and fine texture, it’s ideal for roasting, boiling, pickling, or enjoying raw in salads. An excellent keeper, it stores well after harvesting, making it a staple for kitchen gardens.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds outdoors from March to July.

• Sow thinly, 2 cm deep, in rows 30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 10 cm apart once established.

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

• Harvest when roots are firm and smooth, around golf-ball size for the best flavor.

Key Features

• Classic heirloom beetroot variety

• Smooth, round roots with deep crimson flesh

• Sweet, earthy taste with tender texture

• Suitable for fresh use, storage, or pickling

• Easy and reliable for all gardeners

Ideal For

• Roasting, boiling, and pickling

• Salads and fresh eating

• Kitchen gardens, allotments, or raised beds

• Long-term storage after harvest

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to July

• Depth: 2 cm

• Spacing: 10 cm between plants, 30 cm between rows

• Harvest: June to October

Quick Tip

• For a continuous supply, sow little and often every 2–3 weeks until midsummer.