Quick Growing Vegetables

Pea ‘Onward’ Seeds (Pisum sativum)

Enjoy a reliable and early harvest with Pea ‘Onward’ (Pisum sativum). This hardy climbing variety produces long, tender pods filled with sweet, flavorful peas, perfect for fresh eating, steaming, or freezing. Easy to grow and highly productive, it’s ideal for vegetable gardens, allotments, and homegrown culinary use.

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 climbing variety with long, tender pods

• Hardy and highly productive

• Ideal for fresh eating, steaming, or freezing

• Easy to grow in temperate climates

• Perfect for vegetable gardens and allotments

Ideal For

• Vegetable gardens and allotments

• Fresh harvest for cooking and 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 to enjoy a continuous early-season harvest.

Turnip 'Snowball' – Seeds (Brassica rapa)

Grow crisp, tender, and sweet Turnip 'Snowball', a classic variety known for its round, white roots and mild flavor. Ideal for roasting, steaming, or fresh in salads, this easy-to-grow turnip is perfect for home gardens, allotments, and container planting. Quick to mature, it provides a reliable harvest of uniform, flavorful roots throughout the season.

How to Grow

. Sow outdoors: March – July, 1–2 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart
. Thin seedlings to 8–10 cm apart for proper root development
. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
. Keep soil consistently moist for tender, sweet roots
. Harvest: 50–60 days after sowing, when roots are 5–8 cm in diameter

Key Features

. Classic white round turnip with mild, sweet flavor
. Quick-maturing and easy-to-grow
. Ideal for roasting, steaming, or fresh salads
. Produces uniform, tender roots
. Suitable for home gardens, allotments, and containers

Ideal For

. Fresh eating, roasting, and steaming
. Gardeners seeking reliable, fast-growing root vegetables
. Succession sowing for continuous harvest
. Companion planting with peas, onions, or cabbage

Sowing & Harvest

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

Quick Tip

For tender, flavorful roots, harvest turnips promptly when they reach 5–8 cm; leaving them too long can result in woody texture.

Broccoletto 'Quarantino' – Seeds

(Brassica rapa) – Traditional Italian Spring Green

Broccoletto 'Quarantino' is a classic Italian leafy vegetable, prized for its tender, flavorful shoots and leaves. Belonging to the Brassica rapa family, this variety is fast-growing and ready to harvest in just 40 days – hence the name Quarantino (“forty days”). It is widely used in traditional Italian cuisine, either lightly steamed, sautéed with olive oil and garlic, or added to soups and pasta dishes.

Key Features

• Type: Hardy leafy green (annual/biannual)

• Growth: Vigorous, compact, fast-maturing (around 40 days)

• Flavor: Tender, slightly peppery and nutty taste

• Harvest: Young leaves and shoots for continuous picking

• Use: Italian cuisine, stir-fries, soups, pasta, and side dishes

Ideal For

• Traditional Italian cooking

• Cut-and-come-again harvests

• Quick, reliable leafy green supply

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–September, in rows or broadcast.

• Spacing: 20–30 cm between plants.

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

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.

• Harvest: From 40 days after sowing, cut young shoots regularly to encourage new growth.

Care Tips

• Keep soil moist for tender leaves.

• Harvest frequently to prolong production.

• Best enjoyed fresh – tender shoots have peak 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.

Radish ‘Felicia’ – Seeds

(Raphanus sativus) – Fast-Maturing Crisp Radish

The Radish ‘Felicia’ is a quick-growing variety producing round, bright red roots with a crisp white interior. Known for its mild, refreshing flavor and tender texture, this variety is perfect for early sowings and continuous harvesting throughout the season. Easy to grow, it thrives in beds, borders, and even containers, making it ideal for gardeners of all levels.

Key Features

• Type: Hardy annual root crop

• Root shape: Round, smooth, bright red skin with white flesh

• Flavor: Mild, crisp, refreshing

• Position: Sunny spot or partial shade

• Soil: Light, well-drained soil, free of stones

• Growth: Very fast (ready in 25–30 days)

Ideal For

• Fresh garden-to-table salads

• Garnishes and snacks

• Successional sowing for a continuous harvest

• Containers, raised beds, and small gardens

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–September directly in rows 1 cm deep.

• Spacing: Thin seedlings to 2–3 cm apart in rows 15 cm apart.

• Harvest: Just 3–4 weeks after sowing, when roots are young and tender.

Care Tips

• Water regularly to prevent splitting and maintain mild flavor.

• Sow little and often (every 2–3 weeks) for a continuous supply.

• Harvest promptly—over-mature radishes may become woody.

🌱 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 

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.

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.

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.