Quick Growing Vegetables

Winter Broccoli 'Ramoso Calabrese' Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Enjoy fresh, homegrown broccoli even in the cooler months with Winter Broccoli 'Ramoso Calabrese'. This traditional Italian variety is prized for its tender green shoots and rich, nutty flavor. Perfect for winter cropping, it produces multiple side shoots after the main head is cut, extending your harvest well into the season. A reliable and tasty addition to any winter vegetable garden.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors from March to May or outdoors from April to June.

• Transplant seedlings when large enough, spacing 45–60 cm apart.

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

• Keep plants well-watered during dry spells.

• Harvest main head first, then enjoy repeat harvests from side shoots.

Key Features

• Traditional Italian winter broccoli variety

• Produces tender, nutty-flavored green heads

• Multiple side shoots for extended cropping

• Hardy and reliable in cooler conditions

• Great for steaming, roasting, or stir-fries

Ideal For

• Winter and early spring vegetable gardens

• Gardeners who want extended harvests

• Nutritious, homegrown cooking

• Allotments and kitchen gardens

Sowing

• Best time: March to June

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: 45–60 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun, fertile soil

• Harvest: November to March

Quick Tip

• Cut the central head early to encourage plenty of side shoots for a longer, more abundant harvest.

Carrot ‘Paris Market’ Seeds (Daucus carota)

Grow charming, round carrots with Carrot ‘Paris Market’ (Daucus carota). This French heirloom variety produces small, globe-shaped roots with a sweet, crisp flavor, perfect for snacking, roasting, and adding to salads. Compact and fast-maturing, it thrives even in shallow or stony soils, making it an excellent choice for container growing and small gardens.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds directly outdoors from early spring to midsummer.

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

• Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep and thin seedlings to 3–5 cm apart.

• Keep soil consistently moist for reliable germination (10–14 days).

• Harvest roots when 3–5 cm in diameter for best flavor and texture.

Key Features

• French heirloom with round, bite-sized carrots

• Sweet, crisp flavor and smooth texture

• Fast-maturing and compact growth habit

• Grows well in shallow or stony soils

• Perfect for containers, raised beds, and small gardens

Ideal For

• Containers, raised beds, and small gardens

• Fresh eating, roasting, and salads

• Quick harvests and continuous sowing

• Gardeners with less space or heavy soils

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring to midsummer outdoors

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 3–5 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Sow in succession every 3 weeks for a steady supply of tender, bite-sized carrots all season long.

White Onion 'Avalon' Seeds (Allium cepa)

Grow crisp, flavorful onions with White Onion 'Avalon' (Allium cepa), a reliable variety known for its pure white bulbs and mild, sweet taste. 'Avalon' produces uniform onions with a firm texture, perfect for fresh eating, cooking, or storing. Hardy and versatile, it’s an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a dependable all-round onion crop.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors in late winter or directly outdoors in early spring.

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

• Sow 1 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 10 cm spacing for bulb development.

• Keep soil moist and weed-free for best results.

Key Features

• Produces uniform, pure white bulbs

• Mild, sweet onion flavor

• Suitable for fresh use, cooking, and short-term storage

• Hardy and reliable in most growing conditions

• Versatile for garden beds or allotments

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and garnishes

• Everyday cooking

• Short-term storage

• Gardeners seeking a mild, sweet onion variety

Sowing

• Best time: Late winter indoors or early spring outdoors

• Depth: 1 cm

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

• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun

Quick Tip

• Harvest when the tops begin to yellow and fall, then dry thoroughly before storing.

White Courgette Italian Zucchini 'Bianca di Trieste' – Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

Discover the elegant 'Bianca di Trieste' zucchini, an Italian heirloom variety known for its pale, ivory-white fruits with a delicate, tender flesh and mild flavor. Ideal for summer gardens, this prolific plant produces slender, uniform courgettes perfect for sautéing, grilling, stuffing, or adding a gourmet touch to salads and pasta dishes. A true classic for chefs and home gardeners alike.

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: 15–20 cm long for the best flavor and texture

Key Features

. Italian heirloom zucchini with ivory-white skin
. Tender, mild-flavored flesh ideal for cooking
. Prolific and early-yielding variety
. Perfect for grilling, stuffing, sautéing, or salads
. Decorative and uniform fruits

Ideal For

. Gourmet summer cooking
. Home vegetable gardens and allotments
. Fresh eating or light cooking
. Chefs and garden enthusiasts seeking unique zucchini varieties

Sowing & Harvest

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

Quick Tip

Harvest young for the most tender flavor and to encourage continuous fruit production throughout summer.

Welsh Onion 'Kroll' – Seeds (Allium fistulosum)

The Welsh Onion 'Kroll' is a hardy and versatile perennial onion grown for its slender, upright stems and mild, onion-like flavor. Unlike bulb onions, it does not form bulbs but produces clusters of long, hollow stems that can be cut and used fresh like spring onions or left to grow for a stronger flavor. An easy, cut-and-come-again crop that thrives year after year.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds outdoors from March to July or indoors earlier for transplanting.

• Sow thinly, 1 cm deep, in rows 20 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 10 cm spacing once established.

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

• Harvest by cutting stems as required, leaving roots intact for regrowth.

Key Features

• Perennial onion producing clusters of hollow stems

• Mild, fresh onion flavor

• Easy cut-and-come-again harvest

• Hardy and long-lived in the garden

• Perfect alternative to spring onions

Ideal For

• Soups, salads, stir-fries, and garnishes

• Kitchen gardens, allotments, and containers

• Low-maintenance perennial cropping

• Year-round use in cooking

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to July

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: 10 cm between plants, 20 cm between rows

• Harvest: June to October, with regrowth year after year

Quick Tip

• Divide clumps every few years to keep plants vigorous and productive.

Watermelon 'Sugar Baby' Seeds (Citrullus lanatus)

Grow refreshing, bite-sized melons with Watermelon 'Sugar Baby' (Citrullus lanatus). This early-maturing heirloom variety produces small, round fruits with deep green rinds and bright red, juicy flesh. Sweet, crisp, and perfect for summer snacking, these compact watermelons are ideal for home gardens and smaller spaces.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost or direct sow outdoors when soil warms.

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

• Sow seeds 2–3 cm deep, spacing 90 cm apart.

• Keep soil warm and moist until germination (7–10 days).

• Harvest when fruits sound hollow when tapped and the tendril nearest the fruit turns brown.

Key Features

• Produces small, round melons with sweet red flesh

• Early-maturing variety, ready in just 75–80 days

• Compact size, perfect for smaller gardens

• Juicy, crisp, and bursting with summer flavor

• Excellent for snacking, picnics, and desserts

Ideal For

• Home gardens, allotments, and small spaces

• Fresh summer eating and chilled desserts

• Gardeners wanting a fast, reliable watermelon

• Families and kids who love sweet, compact fruits

Sowing

• Best time: Indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost or direct outdoors in warm soil

• Depth: 2–3 cm

• Spacing: 90 cm apart

• Prefers sandy, well-drained soil and full sun

Quick Tip

• Mulch around plants to keep soil warm, conserve moisture, and promote sweeter melons.

Watermelon 'Crimson Sweet' – Seeds (Citrullus lanatus)

Enjoy juicy, refreshing fruits with Watermelon 'Crimson Sweet', a classic variety renowned for its bright red flesh, crisp texture, and sweet flavor. Ideal for summer picnics, fresh desserts, and fruit salads, these watermelons are easy to grow in home gardens or allotments and produce medium to large, striped green fruits with excellent shelf life.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors: March – May, 1–2 cm deep in pots or seed trays
. Transplant outdoors: After last frost, spacing 90–120 cm apart in warm, sunny soil
. Sow outdoors: May – June in fertile, well-drained, and well-mulched soil
. Requires full sun and consistent watering
. Harvest: When the fruit sounds hollow when tapped and the tendril near the stem dries

Key Features

. Classic striped watermelon with bright red, sweet flesh
. Crisp, juicy texture perfect for fresh eating
. Medium to large fruits with excellent flavor
. High-yielding summer crop
. Suitable for home gardens, allotments, and warm climates

Ideal For

. Fresh summer desserts, salads, and beverages
. Home gardeners seeking sweet, juicy watermelons
. Warm, sunny garden beds or allotments
. Picnics, parties, and family gatherings

Sowing & Harvest

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

Quick Tip

Ensure fruits receive full sun and consistent moisture for maximum sweetness; mulch around plants to retain soil moisture.

Watercress – Seeds (Nasturtium officinale)

Watercress is a fast-growing, nutrient-packed leafy green with a peppery, fresh flavor. Perfect for salads, sandwiches, soups, and garnishes, it thrives in moist soil or near water and adds a vibrant, tangy taste to your dishes. Easy to grow, it’s an ideal addition to kitchen gardens, herb beds, or containers.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds in shallow trays or directly in moist soil from March to July.

• Keep seeds lightly covered and consistently damp.

• Prefers partial shade and consistently moist or wet conditions.

• Transplant or thin seedlings to allow 10–15 cm spacing.

• Harvest leaves when young for the best flavor.

Key Features

• Fast-growing, nutrient-rich leafy green

• Fresh, peppery flavor perfect for salads and garnishes

• Thrives in moist soil or water-adjacent beds

• Ideal for continuous cut-and-come-again harvesting

• Easy to grow in containers, garden beds, or water troughs

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, sandwiches, soups, and garnishes

• Kitchen gardens, herb beds, and small spaces

• Health-conscious and culinary gardeners

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to July

• Depth: Lightly covered

• Spacing: 10–15 cm

• Harvest: April to October

Quick Tip

• Keep soil or growing medium consistently wet to maintain crisp, flavorful leaves.

Venus’s Navelwort Seeds (Omphalodes linifolia)

Add charming groundcover to shaded areas with Venus’s Navelwort (Omphalodes linifolia). This perennial produces delicate, star-shaped blue flowers above lush green foliage, forming a carpet of color in spring and early summer. Hardy and easy to grow, it’s perfect for woodland gardens, borders, and shady rock gardens, attracting pollinators and adding a soft, natural touch.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors in late winter or outdoors in early spring.

• Use well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade.

• Scatter seeds thinly on the soil surface and press lightly; do not cover.

• Keep soil consistently moist until germination (14–28 days).

• Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart once established.

• Mulch around plants to retain moisture and encourage healthy growth.

Key Features

• Delicate star-shaped blue flowers over lush green foliage

• Hardy perennial, forming a dense groundcover

• Ideal for shaded borders, woodland gardens, and rock gardens

• Attracts pollinators including bees and butterflies

• Low-maintenance and long-lasting

Ideal For

• Shaded garden beds and borders

• Woodland and cottage-style gardens

• Rock gardens and naturalized plantings

• Pollinator-friendly landscapes

Sowing

• Best time: Late winter indoors or early spring outdoors

• Germination: 14–28 days

• Sow thinly, press lightly, do not cover

• Prefers partial to full shade and well-drained, humus-rich soil

Quick Tip

• Provide consistent moisture and partial shade for best flowering and lush foliage.