Quick Growing Vegetables

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.

🌱 Raphanus sativus Radish ‘Viola’ – Smooth Purple Radish with Crisp, Mild Flesh

‘Viola’ is an attractive purple-skinned radish variety producing round, smooth roots with crisp white flesh and a mild, slightly sweet flavour. Bred for quick growth and uniform shape, it is ideal for spring and autumn sowing, performing reliably even in cooler conditions. The vibrant purple skin adds colour to the vegetable garden and makes this radish especially appealing for fresh salads, garnishes and market displays.

Key Features

● Smooth, round roots with deep purple skin

● Crisp white flesh with mild, pleasant flavour

● Fast-growing and easy to grow

● Excellent uniformity and appearance

● Ideal for salads, fresh eating and bunching

How to Sow & Grow Radish ‘Viola’ (UK)

Direct sowing recommended – do not transplant

Direct outdoors: III–IX (March–September)

Harvest: IV–X (April–October)

Life cycle: Annual

Germination temperature: 8–20 °C (46–68 °F)

Average germ time: 5–10 days

Depth: 1–1.5 cm (½ in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Keep soil evenly moist

Environment: Full sun to partial shade

Soil type: Light, fertile, well-drained soil

Plant spacing: Thin to 3–5 cm (1–2 in)

Harvest size: Ready in 25–35 days

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Sow little and often for continuous harvests.

● Harvest promptly to maintain tenderness.

● Avoid drought to prevent strong or pithy roots.

● Performs well in cooler parts of the season.

● Suitable for beds, containers and raised beds.

Special Features

● Decorative purple radish variety

● Quick and reliable crop

● Excellent choice for home gardens and markets 

Roma Tomato 'San Marzano 2' – Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum)

The world-famous San Marzano 2 Roma Tomato is a classic Italian plum tomato variety, celebrated for its rich, sweet flavor, meaty texture, and low seed count. Renowned as the finest tomato for sauces, passata, and canning, this variety produces long, blocky fruits with thick flesh and very little water content – perfect for authentic Italian cooking. A must-have for tomato lovers and gardeners seeking reliable, heavy crops.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April, 0.5 cm deep in seed trays or pots.

• Transplant: When seedlings are large enough, pot on and grow in a warm, sunny spot.

• Plant out: May – June after frost has passed, spacing 45–60 cm apart.

• Position: Full sun, sheltered site.

• Support: Needs staking or caging as an indeterminate (cordon) type.

Key Features

• Famous Italian Roma/Plum tomato variety

• Thick, meaty flesh – ideal for sauces and canning

• Produces long, uniform fruits in abundance

• Excellent flavor – balanced sweetness and acidity

Ideal For

• Traditional Italian pasta sauces and pizza bases

• Bottling, drying, or freezing

• Greenhouses, polytunnels, or outdoor sunny gardens

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – April

• Harvest: July – September

Quick Tip

Pinch out side shoots regularly and feed with a tomato fertiliser once flowers set to boost yield and flavor.

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.

Oak Leaf Lettuce 'Green Salad Bowl' – Seeds (Lactuca sativa)

A true kitchen garden favorite, Oak Leaf Lettuce 'Green Salad Bowl' is a fast-growing, cut-and-come-again variety with long, deeply notched green leaves that resemble oak foliage. Its mild, tender flavor and crisp texture make it perfect for everyday salads. Easy to grow and slow to bolt, it provides a generous harvest of fresh greens all season long.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors from February to April or directly outdoors from March to July
. Sow thinly, 0.5 cm deep in rows 25–30 cm apart
. Thin seedlings to 20 cm apart, or grow closer for baby leaves
. Prefers full sun and moist, fertile, well-drained soil
. Harvest leaves regularly to encourage continuous cropping

Key Features

. Classic oak leaf lettuce with tender green leaves
. Mild flavor, perfect for salads and sandwiches
. Cut-and-come-again variety for extended harvests
. Slow to bolt, even in warmer conditions
. Easy to grow in beds, borders, or containers

Ideal For

. Fresh everyday salads
. Cut-and-come-again harvesting
. Home gardens, pots, and allotments
. Gardeners seeking reliable, easy lettuce

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: February – July
. Harvest: May – September

Quick Tip

For the best flavor and texture, pick leaves early in the morning when they’re freshest and most tender.

Asparagus 'D'Argenteuil' Seeds (Asparagus officinalis)

Enjoy a gourmet perennial crop with Asparagus 'D'Argenteuil' (Asparagus officinalis). This heirloom variety is prized for its tender, pale pink-tipped spears and excellent flavor. Hardy and long-lived, once established it provides delicious spring harvests year after year, making it a rewarding addition to any vegetable garden.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors in spring or directly outdoors after frost.

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

• Sow 1 cm deep, spacing 8–10 cm apart in rows.

• Transplant seedlings to a permanent bed the following spring, spacing 30–45 cm apart.

• Allow plants to establish for 2–3 years before heavy harvesting.

Key Features

• Classic French heirloom asparagus variety

• Tender spears with pink-tinged tips

• Excellent flavor and texture

• Hardy perennial crop with long productivity

• A rewarding plant for patient gardeners

Ideal For

• Perennial vegetable gardens

• Homegrown gourmet cooking

• Spring harvests year after year

• Gardeners seeking long-term crops

Sowing

• Best time: Spring after frost

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: 8–10 cm in rows, 30–45 cm when transplanting

• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun

Quick Tip

• Do not harvest heavily in the first two years; allow plants to establish for abundant future yields.

Pak Choi Red 'Inferno' – Seeds (Brassica chinensis)

Bring vibrant color and rich flavor to your garden with Pak Choi Red 'Inferno'. This striking variety produces broad, deep-red leaves with green stems, offering a mild mustard flavor that is perfect for stir-fries, salads, and steaming. Fast-growing and highly productive, it thrives in cooler weather, making it an excellent choice for spring and autumn crops.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors from March to August, or under cover for early/late crops.

• Sow thinly, 1 cm deep, in rows 25–30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 15–20 cm spacing.

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

• Harvest young for tender leaves or mature heads.

Key Features

• Striking red-leaved Pak Choi variety

• Mild mustard flavor with crunchy stems

• Fast-growing and versatile in the kitchen

• Thrives in cooler weather and resists bolting

• Excellent for cut-and-come-again harvesting

Ideal For

• Asian-inspired stir-fries and soups

• Fresh salads and garnishes

• Steaming, sautéing, or pickling

• Kitchen gardens, raised beds, and containers

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to August

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: 15–20 cm between plants, 25–30 cm between rows

• Harvest: May to October

Quick Tip

• Keep soil consistently moist to prevent plants from bolting, especially in summer.

Kale 'Red Russian' Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Bring color and nutrition to your garden with Kale 'Red Russian', a hardy variety with tender, oak-shaped leaves flushed with purple-red veins. Sweeter and milder than many other kales, it’s perfect for salads, smoothies, steaming, and stir-fries. Cold-hardy and easy to grow, it thrives from early spring to late winter, providing a long season of nutrient-rich harvests.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors in early spring or direct outdoors from spring to mid-summer.

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

• Sow 1 cm deep in rows 45 cm apart.

• Thin or transplant seedlings to 40–50 cm apart.

• Harvest young leaves for salads or allow plants to mature for larger leaves.

Key Features

• Attractive purple-red veined leaves with tender texture

• Mild, sweet flavor compared to traditional kales

• Cold-hardy and reliable through autumn and winter

• Perfect for cut-and-come-again harvesting

• Nutrient-rich superfood, high in vitamins and minerals

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and smoothies

• Stir-fries, soups, and steaming

• Year-round kitchen gardens

• Gardeners seeking hardy, reliable greens

Sowing

• Best time: March to July

• Depth: 1 cm

• Row spacing: 45 cm

• Plant spacing: 40–50 cm

• Harvest: From 6–8 weeks after sowing

Quick Tip

• Harvest young leaves regularly to promote fresh growth and sweeter flavor.

Radish ‘Gigante Siculo’ Seeds (Raphanus sativus)

Grow impressive, crisp radishes with Radish ‘Gigante Siculo’ (Raphanus sativus). This unique variety produces large, elongated roots with mild, sweet flavor, perfect for salads, roasting, or pickling. Easy to grow and fast-maturing, it provides a striking addition to vegetable gardens and kitchen beds.

How to Grow

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

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

• Sow seeds 1–2 cm deep and thin seedlings to 10–15 cm apart.

• Keep soil consistently moist for best growth.

• Harvest roots when they reach full size but remain tender.

Key Features

• Large, elongated roots with mild, sweet flavor

• Fast-maturing and easy to grow

• Ideal for salads, roasting, or pickling

• Adds visual interest to vegetable gardens

• Hardy and productive variety

Ideal For

• Vegetable gardens and kitchen beds

• Fresh salads, cooking, and pickling

• Companion planting with leafy greens

• Showcasing unique, large radishes in garden displays

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring to late summer outdoors

• Depth: 1–2 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 10–15 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Sow in successive batches for a continuous supply of large, crisp roots.