Salad Garden Essentials

Iceberg Lettuce ‘Great Lakes 118’ Seeds (Lactuca sativa)

Grow crisp, refreshing heads with Iceberg Lettuce ‘Great Lakes 118’ (Lactuca sativa). This classic variety produces firm, compact, light-green heads with a crunchy texture, perfect for fresh salads, sandwiches, and burgers. Easy to grow and early-maturing, it’s ideal for vegetable gardens, raised beds, and continuous harvests.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds directly outdoors from early spring to early summer, or indoors for transplanting.

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

• Sow seeds thinly and cover lightly with soil; keep moist until germination (7–14 days).

• Thin seedlings to 25–30 cm apart for healthy head development.

• Harvest heads when firm and fully formed, before they bolt.

Key Features

• Firm, compact, light-green heads with crunchy texture

• Early-maturing and easy to grow

• Ideal for fresh salads, sandwiches, and burgers

• Reliable and productive in temperate climates

• Suitable for outdoor or protected cultivation

Ideal For

• Vegetable gardens, raised beds, and allotments

• Fresh salads, sandwiches, and burgers

• Continuous harvest with succession sowing

• Homegrown kitchen gardens

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring to early summer outdoors or indoors for transplanting

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Spacing: Thin to 25–30 cm apart

• Prefers full sun to partial shade and fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Sow in successive batches every 2–3 weeks to enjoy a continuous supply of crisp heads.

Sweet Marjoram – Seeds (Tender Perennial Aromatic)

Sweet Marjoram is a fragrant, tender perennial herb prized for its delicate, sweet flavor. Perfect for seasoning soups, sauces, salads, and roasted dishes, it adds a subtle aromatic touch to your culinary creations. Compact and easy to grow, Sweet Marjoram is ideal for garden beds, containers, and herb gardens.

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 soil and regular watering.

• Trim regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering.

Key Features

• Tender perennial aromatic herb

• Sweet, delicate flavor for culinary use

• Compact, bushy growth habit

• Ideal for garden beds, containers, and herb gardens

• Perfect for fresh use or drying

Ideal For

• Flavoring soups, sauces, and roasted dishes

• Gardeners seeking aromatic, easy-to-grow herbs

• Kitchen herb collections and container gardening

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February to April

• Depth: Lightly covered

• Harvest: May to October

Quick Tip

• Regularly snip leaves to encourage fresh growth and prevent the plant from flowering too early.

Herb Corn Salad Seeds (Valerianella locusta)

Also known as Lamb’s Lettuce or Mâche, Corn Salad is a fast-growing leafy green with soft, nutty-flavored leaves. Popular in European cuisine, it’s perfect for salads, sandwiches, and as a tender garnish. Hardy and cold-tolerant, it thrives in cooler months, making it an excellent choice for autumn and winter harvests. Easy to grow and highly nutritious, it’s a must-have for year-round salads.

How to Grow

• Sow directly outdoors from March to May, and again from August to October.

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

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

• Thin seedlings to 10 cm spacing for healthy plants.

• Harvest young leaves as needed for cut-and-come-again cropping.

Key Features

• Tender, nutty-flavored leaves

• Hardy and cold-tolerant, ideal for winter salads

• Quick and easy to grow

• Perfect for cut-and-come-again harvesting

• Highly nutritious and versatile in the kitchen

Ideal For

• Autumn and winter vegetable gardens

• Fresh salads and sandwich fillings

• Containers, raised beds, and small gardens

• Gardeners seeking a reliable cool-season green

Sowing

• Best time: March–May, August–October

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: 10 cm between plants, 20 cm between rows

• Position: Full sun or partial shade

• Harvest: October to March

Quick Tip

• Succession sow every few weeks for a continuous supply of fresh leaves throughout the cooler seasons.

Green Purslane – Seeds

(Portulaca oleracea sativa)

Green Purslane is a fast-growing, highly nutritious leafy vegetable known for its crisp texture and slightly tangy, lemony flavor. Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, it’s a popular choice for fresh salads, smoothies, soups, and stir-fries. This hardy annual thrives in warm, sunny spots and poor soils, making it an easy-to-grow, low-maintenance crop.

Why Grow Green Purslane?

• Nutritious superfood rich in omega-3s & antioxidants

• Succulent leaves with a refreshing, tangy taste

• Quick-growing and drought-tolerant

• Versatile in the kitchen: salads, soups, smoothies & sautés

Key Features

• Type: Annual herb/leafy vegetable

• Height: 15–30 cm

• Harvest: 6–8 weeks from sowing

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, sandy or poor soils tolerated

Ideal For

• Kitchen & herb gardens

• Containers and small spaces

• Healthy cooking & raw food diets

• Easy, low-maintenance cultivation

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: April–July, directly in soil after frost risk has passed

• Sow thinly and cover lightly with soil

• Germination: 7–14 days at 18–22°C

• Thin seedlings to 15 cm apart

• Harvest leaves regularly to encourage fresh growth

Gherkin Cucumber 'Zefir' F1 – Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

Gherkin Cucumber 'Zefir' F1 is a high-yielding hybrid variety, producing uniform, small, crunchy fruits with a sweet, tangy flavor perfect for pickling or fresh snacking. Its compact growth habit makes it ideal for greenhouse, polytunnel, or well-protected outdoor cultivation.

This variety is known for its early production, disease resistance, and consistent fruit quality, making it a reliable choice for home gardeners and small-scale growers.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – April

• Sow outdoors: May – June, after the last frost

• Depth: 1–2 cm

• Spacing: 30–40 cm apart, rows 60–80 cm apart

• Support: Can be grown along the ground or on low trellises

• Position: Full sun, warm and sheltered

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

• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist

Key Features

• Hybrid variety with uniform, small crunchy fruits

• Perfect for pickling, fresh eating, or salads

• Early and high-yielding with reliable production

• Compact, disease-resistant, ideal for protected cultivation

• Strong flavor and consistent fruit quality

Harvest

• Harvesting period: July – September

• Pick fruits when small and firm for the best crunch.

Short Tip

Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production and maintain fruit quality.

Giant Tomato 'Brutus' – Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum)

Tomato 'Brutus' is a giant beefsteak variety, famous for producing some of the largest tomatoes you will ever grow. These fruits can weigh up to 1 kg each, with a meaty texture and rich, classic tomato flavor. Perfect for slicing, sandwiches, and hearty summer salads, 'Brutus' is a true showstopper in the vegetable garden.

This vigorous plant thrives in fertile soil with plenty of sun and water, rewarding growers with impressive yields of huge, delicious fruits.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors from February to April, 0.5 cm deep in trays or pots
. Transplant to greenhouse or outdoors after the last frost, spacing 60 cm apart
. Requires rich, well-drained soil in a sunny position
. Provide strong support with stakes or cages for heavy fruits
. Water regularly and feed with a tomato fertilizer for best results

Key Features

. Produces extra-large beefsteak tomatoes, up to 1 kg each
. Meaty texture with rich, full tomato flavor
. Excellent for slicing and cooking
. High-yielding variety with impressive fruit size
. Suitable for outdoor or greenhouse cultivation

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow from February to April
. Harvest from July to September

Short Tip

Remove side shoots to encourage fewer but larger fruits for record-breaking tomato harvests.

Garlic Chives – Seeds (Allium tuberosum)

Garlic Chives are a hardy perennial herb prized for their mild garlic flavor and tender, flat green leaves. Perfect for enhancing salads, soups, stir-fries, and garnishes, these chives bring a fresh, aromatic touch to any dish.

Easy to grow and low maintenance, Garlic Chives thrive in garden beds, containers, or raised planters. They are also tolerant of colder climates and will return year after year with minimal care.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Sow outdoors: March – May

• Plant spacing: 20–25 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

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

• Care: Keep soil consistently moist; trim regularly to encourage fresh growth

Key Features

• Hardy perennial with tender, flat green leaves

• Mild garlic flavor ideal for salads, soups, stir-fries, and garnishes

• Easy to grow and low maintenance

• Suitable for garden beds, containers, or raised planters

• Returns year after year with minimal care

Harvest

• Harvesting period: 60–90 days after sowing

• Snip leaves as needed; regular harvesting promotes continuous growth.

Short Tip

Trim regularly to prevent flowering and maintain tender, flavorful leaves throughout the season.

Fine Leaved Chives Seeds (Allium schoenoprasum)

Add fresh, mild onion flavor to your dishes with Fine Leaved Chives, a classic herb with slender, dark green leaves and delicate edible flowers. Ideal for salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes, this perennial herb is easy to grow and provides harvests year after year. Its compact growth habit makes it perfect for garden beds, borders, and containers.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors in spring.

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

• Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in rows 20–25 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 15 cm apart.

• Harvest leaves regularly to encourage bushy growth.

Key Features

• Perennial herb with fine, slender leaves

• Mild, fresh onion flavor for culinary use

• Compact and easy to grow in beds or containers

• Long-lasting harvest year after year

• Attractive edible purple flowers

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes

• Container and herb gardens

• Gardeners seeking perennial, low-maintenance herbs

• Adding flavor and ornamental interest to beds

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring indoors or direct sow outdoors

• Depth: 0.5 cm

• Row spacing: 20–25 cm

• Plant spacing: Thin to 15 cm apart

• Harvest: From 8–10 weeks after sowing

Quick Tip

• Trim leaves regularly to promote fresh, tender growth and prevent flowering if desired.

French Spinach – Purple Spinach Baby Leaf Seeds (Atriplex hortensis, Orach)

Bring color and nutrition to your garden with French Spinach (Atriplex hortensis), also known as Orach. This fast-growing heirloom green produces striking purple-red baby leaves with a mild, spinach-like flavor. Perfect for salads, stir-fries, and garnishes, it’s a fantastic alternative to traditional spinach, especially in warmer weather when spinach tends to bolt. Easy to grow and beautiful in the garden, it’s both ornamental and edible.

How to Grow

• Sow directly outdoors from spring through summer.

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

• Sow thinly 1–1.5 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm for mature plants, or harvest young as baby leaves.

• Pick regularly to encourage fresh growth.

Key Features

• Deep purple-red baby leaves with mild spinach flavor

• Excellent heat tolerance, less prone to bolting

• Can be harvested young or grown to full size

• Dual-purpose: edible and ornamental

• Easy to grow and highly productive

Ideal For

• Baby leaf salads and gourmet mixes

• Stir-fries, soups, and steamed greens

• Gardeners in warm climates

• Edible landscaping and colorful borders

Sowing

• Best time: Spring through summer

• Depth: 1–1.5 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 20–25 cm apart

• Grows best in sun or light shade

Quick Tip

• Harvest young leaves frequently for the best flavor and to keep plants producing longer.