Quick Growing Vegetables

Cress – Seeds (Lepidium sativum)

Garden Cress is one of the fastest and easiest crops to grow, producing a fresh, peppery flavour that livens up salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. Perfect for windowsills, kitchen counters, or garden beds, it grows all year round and is ready to harvest in just a few days.

A must-have for quick, nutritious greens packed with vitamins and minerals.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors/outdoors: Year-round

• Sowing depth: Scatter thinly on moist soil or cotton wool

• Spacing: No thinning required

• Position: Sunny windowsill or light shade outdoors

• Care: Keep soil moist for continuous germination

Key Features

• Ready to harvest in as little as 7 days

• Spicy, peppery flavour – great for salads & sandwiches

• Can be grown indoors all year round

• Extremely easy and reliable – ideal for children & beginners

• Packed with nutrients and antioxidants

Harvest

• Harvesting period: 7–21 days after sowing

• Snip with scissors when leaves are about 5 cm tall.

Short Tip

For a continuous supply, sow small batches every few days.

Courgette 'Stiato d'Italia' – Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

Add authentic Italian flavor to your garden with Courgette 'Stiato d'Italia', an heirloom variety renowned for its striped green fruits and tender, sweet flesh. Perfect for summer harvests, these elegant courgettes are ideal for grilling, roasting, stuffing, or fresh salads. Prolific and easy to grow, 'Stiato d'Italia' combines visual appeal with gourmet taste.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors: March – May, 1–2 cm deep in pots
. Transplant outdoors: After last frost, spacing 70–90 cm apart
. Sow outdoors: May – June in fertile, well-drained soil
. Prefers full sun and regular watering
. Harvest fruits 15–20 cm long for the best flavor and texture

Key Features

. Italian heirloom zucchini with striking striped green skin
. Tender, mild-flavored flesh for versatile cooking
. Prolific and early-bearing variety
. Perfect for grilling, roasting, stuffing, or salads
. Decorative, uniform fruits ideal for home gardens

Ideal For

. Fresh summer cooking and Italian dishes
. Gardeners seeking unique and attractive courgettes
. Small vegetable beds, allotments, or containers
. Gourmet recipes including stuffed or roasted zucchini

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: March – June
. Harvest: June – September

Quick Tip

Harvest regularly when fruits are young and slender to encourage continuous production throughout the season.

Courgette 'Lungo Blanco' – Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

Courgette 'Lungo Blanco' is a striking variety of zucchini that produces elegant, elongated fruits with a pale, creamy-white skin. Its tender flesh is mild and sweet, making it ideal for grilling, sautéing, roasting, or enjoying fresh in salads. This highly productive plant yields continuously through summer and is perfect for both home gardens and allotments.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors from March to April in pots, or outdoors after the last frost from May to June.

• Sow seeds 2–3 cm deep.

• Transplant or thin seedlings to 60 cm apart in fertile, well-drained soil.

• Provide full sun and regular watering for best yields.

• Harvest fruits young for the best flavor and tenderness.

Key Features

• Unique pale white, elongated zucchini fruits

• Sweet, mild flavor with tender flesh

• Continuous harvest throughout summer

• Easy to grow and high-yielding

• Excellent for grilling, roasting, stir-fries, or raw dishes

Ideal For

• Home gardens and allotments

• Mediterranean and summer cooking

• Gardeners seeking a unique zucchini variety

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – June

• Spacing: 60 cm

• Harvest: June – September

Quick Tip

• Pick fruits regularly when 15–20 cm long to encourage further production and prevent plants from becoming exhausted.

Courgette 'Bolognese' – Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

Bring the taste of Italy to your garden with Courgette 'Bolognese', a prolific heirloom variety prized for its slender, dark green fruits and tender, flavorful flesh. Perfect for summer kitchens, these versatile courgettes are ideal for sautéing, grilling, stuffing, and fresh salads. Easy to grow and highly productive, 'Bolognese' is a favorite among gardeners seeking reliable yields and gourmet flavor.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors: March – May, 1–2 cm deep in pots
. Transplant outdoors: After last frost, spacing 70–90 cm apart
. Sow outdoors: May – June in fertile, well-drained soil
. Prefers full sun with regular watering
. Harvest: 15–20 cm long for the best texture and flavor

Key Features

. Italian heirloom zucchini with dark green skin
. Tender, mild-flavored flesh suitable for a variety of dishes
. High-yielding and early-producing variety
. Ideal for sautéing, grilling, stuffing, or salads
. Compact plant suitable for home gardens

Ideal For

. Fresh summer cooking and Italian cuisine
. Home gardeners seeking reliable yields
. Gourmet dishes including stuffed or roasted courgettes
. Small vegetable beds or allotments

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: March – June
. Harvest: June – September

Quick Tip

Pick courgettes when young and slender to ensure the most tender flesh and to encourage continued fruiting.

Courgette 'Black Beauty' Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

A garden favorite for generations, Courgette 'Black Beauty' is a classic variety that produces glossy, dark green fruits with tender flesh and a mild, rich flavor. Prolific and reliable, this courgette will keep producing throughout summer if harvested regularly. Perfect for grilling, roasting, stir-fries, and even baking, it’s a versatile addition to both the garden and the kitchen.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors from April to May or directly outdoors after frost.

• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position.

• Sow 2–3 seeds 2 cm deep in pots or stations, thinning to the strongest plant.

• Space plants 60–80 cm apart to allow room for growth.

• Keep soil moist and harvest regularly to encourage continuous cropping.

Key Features

• Classic, reliable courgette variety

• Glossy dark green fruits with tender flesh

• Heavy cropper throughout summer

• Excellent flavor for cooking or eating fresh

• Easy to grow and very productive

Ideal For

• Home gardeners and allotments

• Fresh summer cooking and preserving

• Raised beds, kitchen gardens, and larger pots

• Garden-to-table recipes all season long

Sowing

• Best time: April to June

• Depth: 2 cm

• Spacing: 60–80 cm between plants

• Position: Sunny, fertile soil

• Harvest: July to September

Quick Tip

• Pick courgettes while young (10–15 cm long) for the best flavor and to keep plants producing abundantly.

Courgette 'Astra Polka' Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

Add a splash of color to your vegetable patch with Courgette 'Astra Polka', a prolific and compact variety producing golden-yellow fruits. This reliable courgette has a mild, sweet flavor and tender flesh, making it perfect for grilling, stir-fries, or summer salads. Its vibrant fruits stand out both in the garden and the kitchen.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors in April–May or directly outdoors after frost.

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

• Sow 2–3 seeds 2 cm deep in pots or stations.

• Thin to one strong plant per station, spacing 60–80 cm apart.

• Harvest young fruits regularly to encourage continuous production.

Key Features

• Compact, high-yielding variety

• Attractive golden-yellow courgettes

• Mild, sweet flavor with tender texture

• Perfect for grilling, roasting, stir-fries, and salads

• Heavy and reliable cropper all season

Ideal For

• Home gardeners with limited space

• Garden-to-table cooking

• Summer dishes and fresh eating

• Adding color to both plate and harvest basket

Sowing

• Best time: April to June

• Depth: 2 cm

• Spacing: 60–80 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun, fertile soil

• Harvest: From July onwards

Quick Tip

• Pick fruits when small (10–15 cm) for the best flavor and to keep plants producing abundantly.

Cos Lettuce 'Little Gem' – Seeds (Lactuca sativa)

Cos Lettuce 'Little Gem' is a compact, crisp, and tender romaine-type variety producing small, dense heads with sweet, crunchy leaves. Perfect for fresh salads, sandwiches, and wraps, it matures quickly and thrives in spring and summer sowings. Its uniform size makes it ideal for home gardens, raised beds, and container growing.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors from February to April or directly outdoors from March to June.

• Plant 0.5–1 cm deep in fertile, well-drained soil.

• Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart to allow proper head development.

• Prefers full sun to partial shade and consistent moisture.

• Harvest outer leaves or whole heads when mature.

Key Features

• Compact romaine-type lettuce with tender, crisp leaves

• Small, dense, sweet heads

• Quick-growing and high-yielding

• Ideal for fresh eating and salads

• Suitable for containers, raised beds, and home gardens

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, sandwiches, and wraps

• Home and container gardens

• Gardeners seeking compact, fast-maturing lettuce

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February to June

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 20–25 cm

• Harvest: April to July

Quick Tip

• Keep soil evenly moist and protect young seedlings from hot sun to prevent bitterness.

Coriander Seeds (Coriandrum sativum)

Grow fresh, aromatic herbs with Coriander (Coriandrum sativum). This versatile herb produces feathery green leaves and aromatic seeds, perfect for salads, cooking, and spice blends. Fast-growing and easy to cultivate, it’s ideal for herb gardens, kitchen beds, and containers.

How to Grow

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

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

• Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep and thin seedlings to 15–20 cm apart.

• Keep soil consistently moist for best germination (7–14 days).

• Harvest leaves when young and tender; collect seeds when fully mature.

Key Features

• Feathery, aromatic green leaves and flavorful seeds

• Fast-growing and easy to cultivate

• Ideal for fresh salads, cooking, and spice blends

• Suitable for outdoor and container growing

• Hardy and versatile culinary herb

Ideal For

• Herb gardens, kitchen beds, and containers

• Fresh salads, cooking, and seasoning

• Homegrown spice production

• Companion planting to attract beneficial insects

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring to late summer outdoors

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 15–20 cm apart

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

Quick Tip

• Sow in succession every 2–3 weeks for a continuous supply of fresh leaves and seeds.

Chives ‘Bohemia’ – Seeds (Allium schoenoprasum) – Hardy Perennial

Chives ‘Bohemia’ is a hardy perennial herb, perfect for overwintering and providing fresh growth year after year. Known for its fine, hollow green leaves and mild onion flavor, it’s a versatile kitchen herb ideal for salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes. In summer, attractive purple-pink flowers appear, loved by bees and pollinators, making this a decorative as well as useful garden plant.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April in pots or trays at 15–20°C.

• Sow outdoors: April – July in finely prepared soil.

• Thin or transplant seedlings to 20 cm apart.

• Prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil.

• Cut regularly to encourage fresh growth.

Key Features

• Hardy perennial herb with overwintering growth

• Fine, mild onion-flavored leaves

• Decorative purple flowers attract pollinators

• Easy to grow in pots, borders, or herb gardens

• Reliable year-round harvests

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes

• Herb gardens, borders, and containers

• Attracting bees and pollinators

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – July

• Harvest: May – October, with regrowth in spring

Quick Tip

Divide clumps every few years to maintain healthy growth and extend the lifespan of your chive plants.