Quick Growing Vegetables

Pink Thai Egg Tomato – Seeds

(Solanum lycopersicum)

Pink Thai Egg Tomato is a rare heirloom variety from Thailand known for its egg-shaped, rose-pink fruits and exceptional productivity. The smooth, glossy tomatoes grow in clusters and have a sweet, mild flavor with low acidity, making them perfect for fresh salads, salsas, and light cooking. Compact and hardy, this variety thrives in both warm and temperate climates.

Key Features

• Fruit Shape: Small, egg-shaped

• Color: Pink to rose-red

• Flavor: Mild, sweet, and low-acid

• Growth Habit: Indeterminate

• Days to Maturity: 70–80 days

• Yield: Heavy cropper with clusters of uniform fruits

Ideal For

• Greenhouses, gardens, and containers

• Fresh eating and gourmet dishes

• Heirloom and specialty tomato collections

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Transplant outdoors: After last frost

• Harvest: July – October

• Spacing: 45–60 cm apart

• Position: Full sun, sheltered

• Soil: Rich, well-drained compost

Care Tips

• Support with stakes or cages for best yield.

• Water regularly and feed with tomato fertilizer once flowering begins.

Carrot ‘Chantenay’ – Seeds

(Daucus carota)

Carrot ‘Chantenay’ is a classic, reliable variety producing short, broad, conical roots with a rich orange color and sweet, crisp flavor. Ideal for heavy or shallow soils, this variety performs well where longer carrots might struggle. Perfect for fresh eating, juicing, or roasting, ‘Chantenay’ carrots are a trusted favorite for gardeners and cooks alike.

Key Features

• Type: Maincrop carrot

• Root Shape: Short, conical

• Color: Deep orange

• Flavor: Sweet, tender, and full-bodied

• Days to Maturity: 70–85 days

• Soil Tolerance: Performs well in heavier or shallow soils

Ideal For

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

• Containers and raised beds

• Fresh use, cooking, and juicing

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March – July

• Harvest: June – October

• Spacing: Thin to 5–8 cm apart

• Depth: 1 cm

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Loose, well-drained, stone-free

Care Tips

• Keep soil moist for even germination.

• Thin seedlings early to avoid crowding.

• Avoid fresh manure to prevent root forking.

Leek ‘Blue de Solaise’ – Seeds

(Allium porrum)

Leek ‘Blue de Solaise’ is a traditional French heirloom variety celebrated for its exceptional winter hardiness and striking blue-green foliage that turns a beautiful deep violet-blue tint in cold weather. Producing thick, tender, and flavorful stems, this leek is perfect for soups, stews, and roasting. A reliable and decorative addition to the vegetable garden, it stands well in the ground through the winter months.

Key Features

• Type: Heirloom winter leek variety

• Plant Height: 40–50 cm

• Stem: Thick, white, and tender

• Foliage: Blue-green with violet tones in frost

• Flavor: Mild, sweet, and rich

• Days to Maturity: 110–130 days

• Hardiness: Excellent frost resistance

• Harvest Period: Late autumn to early spring

Ideal For

• Winter and early spring harvests

• Cold climates and overwintering

• Home gardens and traditional kitchen gardens

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Transplant outdoors: May – June

• Harvest: November – March

• Spacing: 15 × 30 cm

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Deep, fertile, well-drained soil

Care Tips

• Hill up soil around stems to encourage long white shanks.

• Apply mulch to retain moisture and protect roots in winter.

• Ideal for succession sowing to extend harvest.

Pointed Red Cabbage ‘Kalibos’ – Seeds

(Brassica oleracea L.)

Pointed Red Cabbage ‘Kalibos’ is an exceptional variety combining the sweet flavor of pointed cabbage with the deep red color of traditional red cabbage. The tight, conical heads are medium-sized, firm, and full of crisp, tender leaves with a mild, slightly sweet taste—perfect for salads, coleslaws, and light cooking.

Key Features

• Type: Red pointed cabbage

• Head Shape: Conical, medium-sized, dense

• Color: Deep purple-red

• Taste: Sweet, mild, and crisp

• Days to Maturity: 110–120 days

• Harvest Period: Late summer to autumn

• Storage: Good short-term storage variety

Ideal For

• Home gardens and allotments

• Fresh salads and coleslaws

• Cooking, fermenting, and pickling

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Transplant outdoors: April – May

• Harvest: August – October

• Spacing: 40 × 50 cm

• Position: Sunny, sheltered spot

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

Care Tips

• Keep soil consistently moist for tender heads.

• Apply organic fertilizer or compost during growth.

• Protect from cabbage butterflies with netting.

Pointed Red Cabbage ‘Kalibos’ – Seeds

(Brassica oleracea L.)

Pointed Red Cabbage ‘Kalibos’ is an exceptional variety combining the sweet flavor of pointed cabbage with the deep red color of traditional red cabbage. The tight, conical heads are medium-sized, firm, and full of crisp, tender leaves with a mild, slightly sweet taste—perfect for salads, coleslaws, and light cooking.

Key Features

• Type: Red pointed cabbage

• Head Shape: Conical, medium-sized, dense

• Color: Deep purple-red

• Taste: Sweet, mild, and crisp

• Days to Maturity: 110–120 days

• Harvest Period: Late summer to autumn

• Storage: Good short-term storage variety

Ideal For

• Home gardens and allotments

• Fresh salads and coleslaws

• Cooking, fermenting, and pickling

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Transplant outdoors: April – May

• Harvest: August – October

• Spacing: 40 × 50 cm

• Position: Sunny, sheltered spot

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

Care Tips

• Keep soil consistently moist for tender heads.

• Apply organic fertilizer or compost during growth.

• Protect from cabbage butterflies with netting.

Winter Purple Broccoli 'Miranda' Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Add vibrant color and delicious flavor to your winter harvest with Winter Purple Broccoli 'Miranda' (Brassica oleracea). This hardy variety produces tender, purple-speared florets with a sweet, nutty taste that stand out in the garden and kitchen. Cold-tolerant and reliable, 'Miranda' thrives through the cooler months, ensuring a healthy and colorful crop when other vegetables are scarce.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors in late spring or directly outdoors in summer.

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

• Sow 1 cm deep and thin seedlings to 45–60 cm apart.

• Keep soil moist and weed-free.

• Harvest from late autumn through winter when florets are deep purple.

Key Features

• Winter-hardy purple broccoli variety

• Produces tender, sweet, and nutty-flavored florets

• Cold-tolerant and reliable in cooler months

• Attractive and nutritious addition to meals

• Long cropping season from late autumn to winter

Ideal For

• Winter gardens and cold-weather growing

• Steaming, roasting, or stir-fries

• Nutritious side dishes and healthy meals

• Gardeners looking for reliable winter crops

Sowing

• Best time: Late spring to mid-summer

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: 45–60 cm apart

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

Quick Tip

• Cut the main head first to encourage side shoots for extended harvesting.

Yellow Pear Tomato – Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum)

The Yellow Pear Tomato is a charming heirloom variety, producing clusters of small, pear-shaped fruits in a bright golden yellow. With a mild, sweet flavor and firm texture, these tomatoes are perfect for snacking, salads, and garnishes. Highly productive and ornamental, this variety adds a splash of sunshine to your garden and harvest baskets.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors from February to April, 0.5 cm deep in trays or pots.

• Maintain a temperature of 18–22°C until germination.

• Transplant seedlings into larger pots, then plant outdoors or in a greenhouse after frost.

• Support plants with stakes or cages for heavy clusters of fruit.

Key Features

• Heirloom variety with unique pear-shaped fruits

• Bright yellow, bite-sized tomatoes

• Mild, sweet flavor, perfect for fresh eating

• Heavy crops over a long season

• Ornamental and productive for gardens or containers

Ideal For

• Fresh snacking and salads

• Colorful vegetable gardens and patio pots

• Gardeners seeking an heirloom with visual appeal

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February to April

• Plant out: May to June

• Harvest: July to September

Quick Tip

• Regular picking encourages more fruit production throughout the season.

Winter Purslane Salad Seeds (Claytonia perfoliata)

Enjoy fresh, nutritious greens even in the colder months with Winter Purslane Salad (Claytonia perfoliata). Also known as Miner’s Lettuce, this hardy leafy green thrives in cool conditions, producing tender, mild-flavored leaves packed with vitamins. Easy to grow and quick to harvest, it’s a superb choice for salads, garnishes, and year-round kitchen gardens.

How to Grow

• Sow directly outdoors from late summer to early spring.

• Choose fertile, well-drained soil in partial shade or light sun.

• Scatter seeds thinly on the surface and lightly cover with soil.

• Keep soil moist until germination, which takes 10–20 days.

• Thin seedlings to 10–15 cm apart as they grow.

• Harvest young leaves regularly to encourage new growth.

Key Features

• Nutritious leafy green, rich in vitamins C and A

• Mild, succulent leaves with a fresh, tangy flavor

• Thrives in cooler weather and tolerates light frost

• Fast-growing, perfect for cut-and-come-again harvests

• Suitable for beds, borders, containers, or greenhouse growing

Ideal For

• Autumn, winter, and spring salads

• Continuous harvesting for fresh kitchen use

• Small gardens, allotments, or balcony planters

• Cold-climate gardeners seeking reliable greens

Sowing

• Best time: Late summer to early spring

• Germination: 10–20 days

• Sow thinly and cover lightly with fine soil

• Prefers cool, moist conditions for best results

Quick Tip

• Successive sowings every few weeks will ensure a steady supply of tender leaves throughout the cooler seasons.

Winter Kale – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Winter Kale is a hardy, nutrient-rich leafy green perfect for cold-weather gardens. This variety produces robust, dark green leaves that remain tender and flavorful even after frost. Ideal for soups, stews, sautés, or fresh salads, Winter Kale is a staple for year-round gardening and adds both color and nutrition to your plate.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds outdoors from March to July.

• Sow 1–2 cm deep in rows 30–40 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 20–30 cm spacing for strong growth.

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

• Can be harvested continuously by cutting outer leaves, leaving the center to grow.

Key Features

• Cold-hardy and frost-tolerant

• Nutrient-dense dark green leaves

• Continuous cut-and-come-again harvesting

• Ideal for soups, stews, salads, and sautéing

• Easy to grow in home gardens and allotments

Ideal For

• Winter and early spring harvesting

• Nutritious soups, smoothies, and salads

• Beginner and experienced gardeners alike

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to July

• Depth: 1–2 cm

• Spacing: 20–30 cm between plants

• Harvest: September to February

Quick Tip

• Frost enhances the flavor, making the leaves sweeter and more tender.