Salad Garden Essentials

Cucumber 'Telegraph Improved' – Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

Enjoy crisp, tender cucumbers with Cucumber 'Telegraph Improved', a classic English variety renowned for its long, slender, dark green fruits and mild, sweet flavor. Ideal for fresh salads, sandwiches, and pickling, this variety is highly productive and resistant to common cucumber diseases. Perfect for home gardens, allotments, or greenhouse cultivation.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors: March – May, 1–2 cm deep in pots
. Transplant outdoors: After last frost or grow under cloche/greenhouse for best results
. Sow outdoors: May – June in fertile, well-drained soil
. Provide support such as a trellis or frame for climbing
. Keep soil moist and feed regularly for abundant harvests

Key Features

. Classic English cucumber with long, dark green fruits
. Mild, sweet flavor suitable for salads and fresh eating
. Highly productive and disease-resistant
. Ideal for greenhouse or outdoor trellis growing
. Reliable, uniform fruits perfect for slicing

Ideal For

. Fresh salads, sandwiches, and summer meals
. Home gardeners and allotment plots
. Greenhouse cultivation for early and high-yield crops
. Pickling and culinary versatility

Sowing & Harvest

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

Quick Tip

Harvest regularly when fruits are firm and uniform in size to encourage continuous production throughout the season.

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.

Tomato 'Tigerella' – Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum)

Tomato 'Tigerella' is a striking heirloom variety, known for its vibrant red fruits streaked with golden yellow stripes. The small to medium-sized fruits are juicy, sweet, and slightly tangy, perfect for fresh salads, sandwiches, or roasting.

This variety is vigorous and reliable, producing an abundance of attractive fruits throughout the summer. Ideal for home gardens, patios, or greenhouse cultivation.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Transplant outdoors: May – June, after last frost

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 40–50 cm between plants, rows 60–80 cm apart

• Support: Staking or cages recommended

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained, rich in organic matter

• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, avoid waterlogging

Key Features

• Heirloom variety with striking red and yellow striped fruits

• Small to medium-sized, juicy, and sweet-tangy flavor

• High-yielding and vigorous growth

• Ideal for fresh eating, salads, and roasting

• Suitable for home gardens, patios, or greenhouses

Harvest

• Harvesting period: July – September

• Pick fruits when fully colored and firm for the best flavor.

Short Tip

Support plants with stakes or cages to keep fruits off the ground and maintain shape.

Beefsteak Tomato 'Marmande' Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum)

Grow classic French flavor with Beefsteak Tomato 'Marmande' (Solanum lycopersicum). This heritage variety produces large, ribbed red fruits with rich, juicy flesh, perfect for slicing, salads, sandwiches, and cooking. Indeterminate and highly productive, ‘Marmande’ adds a gourmet touch to home gardens, raised beds, and greenhouses.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

• Use fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny location.

• Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep, keeping soil moist at 20–25°C until germination (7–14 days).

• Transplant seedlings outdoors after frost, spacing 50–60 cm apart.

• Support plants with stakes or cages and harvest fruits when fully red and firm.

Key Features

• Heritage French beefsteak variety

• Produces large, ribbed red fruits with juicy flesh

• Indeterminate and high-yielding

• Ideal for fresh eating, salads, sandwiches, and cooking

• Thrives in gardens, raised beds, and greenhouses

Ideal For

• Home gardens, allotments, and greenhouse growing

• Fresh slicing, salads, and cooking

• Gardeners seeking traditional French tomato varieties

• Continuous summer harvests

Sowing

• Best time: Indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 50–60 cm apart

• Prefers full sun, fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Prune side shoots to improve airflow and encourage larger, juicier fruits.

Trailing Cherry Tomato ‘Gardener’s Delight’ – Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum)

Description:
Grow sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes with ‘Gardener’s Delight’ (Solanum lycopersicum) — one of the most popular tomato varieties among home gardeners. This trailing and high-yielding variety produces long clusters of bright red fruits packed with rich, tangy flavor. Perfect for hanging baskets, containers, and greenhouse growing, it offers continuous harvests throughout summer. Easy to grow and bursting with taste, it’s ideal for salads, snacks, and fresh garden-to-table dishes.

Key Features

• Trailing, prolific cherry tomato variety

• Produces long trusses of sweet, tangy red fruits

• High-yielding and continuous summer harvests

• Excellent for salads, snacking, and cooking

• Easy to grow and well-suited for containers

Ideal For

• Hanging baskets and patio containers

• Greenhouse or outdoor cultivation

• Fresh snacking, salads, and sauces

• Home and urban gardeners

Sowing & Growing

• Sow Indoors: February–April

• Transplant Outdoors: May, after frost

• Germination: 7–14 days at 20–25°C

• Spacing: 40–50 cm apart

• Support: Canes or hanging supports recommended

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained, rich in organic matter

Care Tips

• Water regularly; avoid wetting foliage

• Feed with tomato fertilizer every 2–3 weeks

• Pinch side shoots to encourage fruiting

• Harvest when fruits are fully red and firm

Basil 'Italian Sweet Genovese' – Seeds (Ocimum basilicum)

Basil 'Italian Sweet Genovese' is the classic culinary herb prized for its aromatic, glossy green leaves and sweet, slightly spicy flavor. Perfect for pesto, salads, sauces, and garnishing, this variety grows vigorously and produces abundant foliage throughout the growing season. Ideal for home gardens, pots, and herb beds.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors from February to April, lightly covering with soil.

• Maintain 18–22°C until germination.

• Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost in a sunny, sheltered spot.

• Prefers well-drained, fertile soil and regular watering.

• Pinch off flower buds to encourage bushy growth and prolonged leaf production.

Key Features

• Aromatic, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor

• Classic Italian basil variety for culinary use

• Fast-growing and productive

• Suitable for garden beds, containers, and patios

• Ideal for pesto, salads, sauces, and garnishing

Ideal For

• Fresh culinary use in Italian and Mediterranean dishes

• Herb gardens, raised beds, and container planting

• Gardeners seeking high-yield, flavorful basil

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February to April

• Depth: Lightly covered

• Harvest: May to October

Quick Tip

• Regularly pinch young shoots to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering, which can reduce leaf flavor.

Cucumber 'King of Salad' Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

Grow crisp, refreshing cucumbers with Cucumber 'King of Salad', a prolific variety known for its smooth, dark green fruits and excellent taste. Perfect for slicing into fresh salads, sandwiches, or enjoying straight from the vine, this variety delivers consistently high yields throughout the summer. Easy to grow outdoors or under cover, it’s a gardener’s favorite for its reliability and delicious results.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors from March to May or directly outdoors after frost has passed.

• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position.

• Sow seeds 1–2 cm deep in pots or directly in the ground.

• Space plants 60 cm apart, with rows 90 cm apart.

• Keep soil evenly moist and feed regularly for the best yields.

Key Features

• High-yielding variety with smooth, dark green cucumbers

• Crisp, refreshing texture and mild flavor

• Great for salads, sandwiches, and fresh eating

• Suitable for outdoor or greenhouse growing

• Long harvest period through summer

Ideal For

• Fresh summer salads and light meals

• Home gardeners seeking reliable crops

• Outdoor beds, raised beds, or greenhouse growing

• Consistent harvests for the kitchen table

Sowing

• Best time: March to May indoors, May to June outdoors

• Depth: 1–2 cm

• Spacing: 60 cm between plants, 90 cm between rows

• Position: Sunny, sheltered, fertile soil

• Harvest: July to September

Quick Tip

• Harvest cucumbers regularly to encourage continuous production and enjoy fruits at their crispest.

Chives ‘Bohemia’ – Seeds (Allium schoenoprasum) – Hardy Perennial

Chives ‘Bohemia’ is a hardy perennial herb, perfect for overwintering and providing fresh growth year after year. Known for its fine, hollow green leaves and mild onion flavor, it’s a versatile kitchen herb ideal for salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes. In summer, attractive purple-pink flowers appear, loved by bees and pollinators, making this a decorative as well as useful garden plant.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April in pots or trays at 15–20°C.

• Sow outdoors: April – July in finely prepared soil.

• Thin or transplant seedlings to 20 cm apart.

• Prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil.

• Cut regularly to encourage fresh growth.

Key Features

• Hardy perennial herb with overwintering growth

• Fine, mild onion-flavored leaves

• Decorative purple flowers attract pollinators

• Easy to grow in pots, borders, or herb gardens

• Reliable year-round harvests

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes

• Herb gardens, borders, and containers

• Attracting bees and pollinators

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – July

• Harvest: May – October, with regrowth in spring

Quick Tip

Divide clumps every few years to maintain healthy growth and extend the lifespan of your chive plants.

Spring Onion 'White Lisbon' Seeds (Allium cepa)

A classic favorite, Spring Onion 'White Lisbon' is one of the most popular and reliable scallion varieties. It produces crisp, mild-flavored stems with bright white bases and vibrant green tops, perfect for salads, stir-fries, and garnishes. Fast-growing and hardy, it can be sown throughout the season for a continuous supply of fresh spring onions.

How to Grow

• Sow directly outdoors from early spring to autumn.

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

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

• Thin seedlings to 2–3 cm spacing.

• Harvest when stems reach pencil thickness.

Key Features

• Traditional, best-loved spring onion variety

• Mild, fresh flavor with crisp stems

• Quick to mature and easy to grow

• Can be sown successionally for year-round harvest

• Perfect for beds, borders, or containers

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and garnishes

• Stir-fries and Asian dishes

• Continuous cropping through the season

• Beginner-friendly gardens and containers

Sowing

• Best time: February to October

• Depth: 1 cm

• Row spacing: 20 cm

• Plant spacing: Thin to 2–3 cm

• Harvest: From 8 weeks after sowing

Quick Tip

• For tender, mild stems, sow little and often to enjoy fresh onions all season long.