Salad Garden Essentials

Radish ‘Ria’ – Seeds (Raphanus sativus)

Radish ‘Ria’ is a fast-growing, reliable variety producing uniform round roots with bright red skin and crisp, white flesh. Known for its mild, refreshing flavor, this radish is perfect for quick harvests and fresh salads. It matures rapidly, making it an excellent choice for successional sowing and continuous cropping throughout spring and summer.

How to Grow

• Sow direct outdoors: March – September in finely prepared soil.

• Sow thinly in rows, 1 cm deep, leaving 10 cm between rows.

• Thin seedlings to 2–3 cm apart.

• Water regularly to avoid woody or split roots.

Key Features

• Fast-maturing and easy to grow

• Round, bright red roots with crisp white flesh

• Mild, refreshing flavor

• Suitable for successional sowing

• Perfect for beginner gardeners

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and snacks

• Quick harvests in spring and summer

• Container growing or open ground

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – September

• Harvest: April – October (as little as 3–4 weeks after sowing)

Quick Tip

Sow little and often for a steady supply of tender radishes all season.

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.

Large Cabbage 'Polar' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Cabbage 'Polar' is a large, late-maturing variety, producing firm, round heads with excellent storage qualities. This robust cabbage is specially bred to withstand colder conditions, making it a reliable choice for late-season harvests. Its crisp leaves and mild, sweet flavor make it ideal for fresh use in salads, coleslaw, or for cooking in traditional dishes.

A dependable variety for gardeners who want a heavy-yielding cabbage that lasts well into the winter months.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors from February to April or directly outdoors from April to May
. Transplant seedlings when strong enough, spacing 50–60 cm apart
. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun
. Water consistently to keep soil moist and encourage firm heads
. Protect young plants from pests such as cabbage fly or caterpillars

Key Features

. Large, solid round heads with excellent keeping qualities
. Specially suited for colder conditions and late-season harvest
. Mild, sweet flavor and crisp texture
. Perfect for salads, coleslaw, and cooked dishes
. Reliable, heavy-yielding cabbage variety

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow from February to May
. Harvest from September to December

Short Tip

For the best storage, harvest cabbages on a dry day and keep them in a cool, well-ventilated space.

Cucumber ‘Obelix’ F1 – Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

Cucumber ‘Obelix’ F1 is a strong, reliable hybrid variety producing long, smooth, dark green fruits with a crisp bite and refreshing taste. Ideal for slicing and salads, this cucumber offers excellent disease resistance and a heavy yield over a long season. Perfect for both outdoor beds and greenhouse cultivation, it’s a gardener’s favorite for consistent quality.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: April – May in pots at 20–25°C.

• Transplant outdoors or into greenhouse after last frost.

• Space plants 60 cm apart.

• Train up supports or trellis for straighter fruits.

• Keep soil fertile and well-watered for best results.

Key Features

• F1 hybrid with vigorous growth

• Long, smooth, dark green fruits

• Crisp, mild, refreshing flavor

• Excellent disease resistance

• Suitable for outdoor or greenhouse growing

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and healthy snacking

• Summer-long harvests

• Home gardens, polytunnels, and allotments

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: April – May

• Harvest: June – September

Quick Tip

Harvest regularly to encourage continuous cropping and prevent fruits from becoming oversized.

Cucumber 'Beth Alpha' – Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

Bring authentic Middle Eastern flavor to your garden with Cucumber 'Beth Alpha', a classic heirloom variety renowned for its smooth, tender skin and crisp, juicy bite. Best harvested young at 10–15 cm, these nearly seedless cucumbers are delicious fresh, in salads, or for pickling. A reliable, early-cropping plant that thrives in warm, sunny spots.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors from April to May, 1–2 cm deep in pots
. Sow outdoors from late May to June once soil is warm and frost-free
. Plant 40 cm apart, in rows 90 cm apart, or grow vertically with support
. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun
. Keep soil moist and harvest regularly to extend production

Key Features

. Smooth-skinned, tender cucumbers with sweet flavor
. Harvest young for crisp, juicy texture
. Early, heavy-yielding variety
. Great for fresh eating or pickling
. Compact plants suitable for garden beds or greenhouse

Ideal For

. Fresh snacking straight from the garden
. Crisp summer salads and sandwiches
. Homemade pickles
. Gardeners looking for reliable, tasty cucumbers

Sowing & Harvest

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

Quick Tip

Pick fruits when small to enjoy the sweetest taste and to keep the plants producing longer.

Beetroot 'Detroit 2 Crimson Globe' – Seeds (Beta vulgaris)

The classic Detroit 2 Crimson Globe beetroot is a reliable and popular variety, producing smooth, round roots with deep crimson flesh. Known for its sweet, earthy flavor and fine texture, it’s ideal for roasting, boiling, pickling, or enjoying raw in salads. An excellent keeper, it stores well after harvesting, making it a staple for kitchen gardens.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds outdoors from March to July.

• Sow thinly, 2 cm deep, in rows 30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 10 cm apart once established.

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

• Harvest when roots are firm and smooth, around golf-ball size for the best flavor.

Key Features

• Classic heirloom beetroot variety

• Smooth, round roots with deep crimson flesh

• Sweet, earthy taste with tender texture

• Suitable for fresh use, storage, or pickling

• Easy and reliable for all gardeners

Ideal For

• Roasting, boiling, and pickling

• Salads and fresh eating

• Kitchen gardens, allotments, or raised beds

• Long-term storage after harvest

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to July

• Depth: 2 cm

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

• Harvest: June to October

Quick Tip

• For a continuous supply, sow little and often every 2–3 weeks until midsummer.

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.