Quick Growing Vegetables

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.

Lettuce 'Lollo Rosso' – Seeds (Lactuca sativa)

Brighten your salad bowl with Lettuce 'Lollo Rosso', a classic Italian variety admired for its deep red, frilly leaves and tender, crisp texture. With its mild yet slightly tangy flavor, this cut-and-come-again lettuce is perfect for adding both color and crunch to salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. Easy to grow, quick to mature, and highly decorative in the garden.

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 for full-sized heads
. Prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil
. Water regularly to keep leaves tender and sweet

Key Features

. Attractive red, frilled leaves for striking salads
. Mild, slightly tangy flavor
. Cut-and-come-again variety for multiple harvests
. Decorative and productive in beds or pots
. Quick to mature, reliable crop

Ideal For

. Fresh salads and sandwiches
. Cut-and-come-again harvesting
. Adding color to kitchen gardens or containers
. Home cooks and salad lovers

Sowing & Harvest

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

Quick Tip

Harvest outer leaves regularly to extend cropping, or cut the whole head at the base for a fuller harvest.

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.

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.

Baby Leaf "American Land Cress" – Seeds (Barbarea verna)

American Land Cress is a fast-growing, peppery leafy green ideal for baby leaf salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. Known for its crisp texture and tangy flavor, it adds a fresh, zesty note to spring and summer dishes.

Easy to grow and quick to harvest, this hardy green thrives in both garden beds and containers, making it perfect for continuous salad production.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: March – September

• Plant spacing: 5–10 cm between seedlings

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil

• Care: Keep soil moist; thin seedlings to encourage tender growth

Key Features

• Fast-growing, peppery leafy green for salads and garnishes

• Tender baby leaves ideal for continuous harvest

• Hardy and adaptable to garden beds or containers

• Adds crisp texture and zesty flavor to dishes

• Easy to cultivate for home gardeners

Harvest

• Harvesting period: 20–30 days after sowing

• Pick leaves regularly to encourage new growth and maintain tenderness.

Short Tip

Harvest young leaves for the best flavor and continuously sow every 2–3 weeks for a fresh, ongoing supply.

Radish 'Mila' French Breakfast Type – Seeds (Raphanus sativus)

The Radish 'Mila' is a classic French Breakfast type, producing crisp, elongated roots with bright red tops and clean white tips. With a mild, refreshing flavor and crunchy texture, these radishes are perfect for salads, snacking, and garnishes. Fast-growing and reliable, they thrive in most garden soils and can be harvested just weeks after sowing.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds directly outdoors from March to September.

• Plant 1 cm deep in rows 15 cm apart.

• Keep soil moist for tender, crisp roots.

• Harvest when roots reach 5–7 cm long for best flavor.

Key Features

• Classic French Breakfast radish variety

• Crisp red roots with white tips

• Mild, refreshing flavor

• Quick-growing crop, ready in weeks

• Ideal for successive sowings

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and snacks

• Spring and summer sowings

• Beginner gardeners and quick crops

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to September

• Harvest: April to October

Quick Tip

• Sow little and often for a continuous supply of tender, crunchy radishes.

Celery ‘Utah’ Seeds (Apium graveolens var. secalinum)

Grow crisp, tender stalks with Celery ‘Utah’ (Apium graveolens var. secalinum). This reliable variety produces tall, smooth, green stems with a fresh, mild flavor, perfect for salads, soups, and stews. Known for its disease resistance and consistent quality, it’s a favorite for home gardeners and a must-have in the kitchen garden.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost.

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

• Sow seeds thinly on the surface, pressing gently without covering deeply.

• Keep soil consistently moist; germination may take 14–21 days.

• Transplant seedlings outdoors after frost, spacing 25–30 cm apart.

• Harvest stems when they reach full size but remain crisp.

Key Features

• Produces tall, smooth, green stalks

• Crisp texture with a mild, refreshing flavor

• Excellent for soups, stews, and salads

• Strong, reliable, and disease-resistant variety

• Perfect for home gardens and allotments

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, cooking, and soups

• Vegetable gardens, allotments, and raised beds

• Gardeners who want a reliable, easy celery variety

• Continuous harvesting through the season

Sowing

• Best time: Indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost

• Depth: Surface sow, cover lightly

• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and fertile, moist soil

Quick Tip

• Water regularly and mulch around plants to keep soil cool and prevent stems from becoming tough or stringy.

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.

Butterhead Lettuce 'May Queen' – Seeds (Lactuca sativa)

Butterhead Lettuce 'May Queen' is a classic, slow-bolting variety producing soft, tender, and buttery green leaves with a mild, sweet flavor. Ideal for salads, sandwiches, and wraps, it forms compact, easy-to-harvest heads and thrives in spring and early summer sowings. Perfect for home gardens, raised beds, and container cultivation.

How to Grow

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

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

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

• Prefers partial shade to full sun and consistent moisture.

• Harvest outer leaves or whole heads when mature.

Key Features

• Tender, buttery green leaves

• Slow-bolting, ideal for spring and early summer

• Compact, easy-to-harvest heads

• Mild, sweet flavor suitable for fresh eating

• Perfect for containers, raised beds, and garden rows

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, sandwiches, and wraps

• Home gardens and small spaces

• Successive sowings for continuous harvest

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 shade young seedlings during hot spells to prevent bitterness.