Salad Garden Essentials

Dill Seeds (Anethum graveolens)

Bring fresh flavor and fragrance to your garden with Dill, a versatile culinary and medicinal herb. Known for its delicate feathery foliage and aromatic seeds, dill is a must-have for seasoning fish, soups, pickles, and salads. Easy to grow and quick to mature, it also attracts beneficial pollinators, making it a perfect addition to herb beds and kitchen gardens.

How to Grow

• Sow directly outdoors from spring to early summer.

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

• Sow thinly, 0.5–1 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 15 cm spacing.

• Avoid transplanting as dill dislikes root disturbance.

Key Features

• Aromatic herb with feathery foliage and seeds

• Delicious for seasoning fish, soups, salads, and pickles

• Quick-growing and easy for beginners

• Attracts bees and beneficial insects

• Dual use: fresh leaves and dried seeds

Ideal For

• Home cooking and herbal tea

• Pickling and preserving vegetables

• Companion planting in the garden

• Attracting pollinators and beneficial insects

Sowing

• Best time: March to June

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Row spacing: 30 cm

• Plant spacing: 15 cm after thinning

• Harvest: Leaves in 6–8 weeks, seeds later in the season

Quick Tip

• For a continuous supply, sow dill little and often every 2–3 weeks through the summer.

Dill 'Bouquet' – Seeds (Anethum graveolens)

Dill 'Bouquet' is a fast-growing herb prized for its aromatic leaves, seeds, and delicate yellow flower heads. This popular variety is widely used in the kitchen – perfect for seasoning fish, pickles, sauces, salads, and soups. Its feathery foliage is also highly decorative, making it a dual-purpose plant for culinary and ornamental use.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: April – July directly where plants are to grow.

• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil in full sun.

• Spacing: Thin seedlings to 20–30 cm apart.

• Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged.

Key Features

• Popular dill variety with strong flavor

• Aromatic leaves, seeds, and flower heads

• Fast-growing and easy to cultivate

• Great for fresh use or drying

• Decorative feathery foliage

Ideal For

• Herb gardens and borders

• Culinary use in pickling, sauces, and fish dishes

• Companion planting with cucumbers and cabbages

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: April – July

• Harvest: Leaves from May onwards, seeds in late summer

Quick Tip

Harvest leaves early in the morning for maximum flavor. Sow little and often for a continuous supply throughout the season.

Dandelion – Seeds (Taraxacum officinale)

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a hardy perennial known for its bright yellow flowers and fluffy seed heads. A versatile and low-maintenance plant, it attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supports beneficial insects, and can be used in salads, teas, and herbal remedies. Ideal for wildflower gardens, meadows, and naturalized areas, it adds color and ecological value while requiring minimal care.

Why Grow "Dandelion"

• Bright yellow flowers and distinctive seed heads

• Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects

• Edible leaves and flowers for salads and teas

• Low-maintenance and hardy in most soils

Key Features

• Type: Perennial (Taraxacum officinale)

• Height: 15–30 cm

• Flowering: Spring to autumn

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Uses: Wildflower gardens, meadows, naturalized areas, edible gardens

Ideal For

• Naturalized or meadow-style gardens

• Pollinator-friendly planting

• Edible and herbal gardens

• Gardeners seeking low-maintenance, ecological plants

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: Early spring

• Sow outdoors: Directly in soil after frost

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Space seedlings: 10–15 cm apart

• Prefers well-drained soil and sunny locations

Daikon Radish 'Accord' – Seeds (Raphanus raphanistrum)

The Daikon Radish 'Accord' is a high-quality Japanese variety producing long, smooth, white roots with a crisp, juicy texture and mild, sweet flavor. This daikon is perfect for stir-fries, soups, pickling, or enjoying raw in salads. Its reliable growth and uniform shape make it an excellent choice for home gardeners and market growers alike.

'Accord' is known for its vigorous growth and resistance to bolting, giving consistently high yields. It thrives best in cooler conditions and is ideal for late summer to autumn sowing for harvests well into winter.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: July – September for autumn and winter use

• Sowing depth: 1–1.5 cm deep in rows 30–40 cm apart

• Thin seedlings: 15–20 cm apart

• Position: Sunny, open site

• Soil: Deep, loose, fertile soil with consistent moisture

Key Features

• Produces long, uniform white roots

• Mild, sweet, and crisp flavor

• Excellent for stir-fries, soups, and pickling

• Vigorous, reliable, and slow to bolt

• Ideal for autumn and winter harvests

Harvest

• Harvesting period: October – December

• Lift when roots reach 25–35 cm long for best flavor and texture.

Short Tip

Sow in late summer for crisp, sweet roots that store well into the colder months.

Cucumber F1 'Partner' – Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

The Cucumber F1 'Partner' is a high-yielding hybrid variety producing long, uniform, dark green cucumbers with a crisp texture and refreshing taste. Ideal for fresh salads, snacking, or pickling, this variety delivers consistent quality and excellent flavor throughout the season.

Compact and vigorous, 'Partner' thrives in open fields, raised beds, or greenhouse conditions. Its disease-resistant nature ensures a reliable harvest, making it an excellent choice for both home gardeners and small-scale growers.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – March for early harvest

• Sow outdoors: April – May after last frost

• Plant spacing: 30–40 cm between plants, 100 cm between rows

• Position: Full sun

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

• Care: Provide support if necessary; consistent watering ensures crisp, flavorful cucumbers

Key Features

• Long, uniform, dark green cucumbers

• Crisp, refreshing flavor ideal for salads and pickling

• High-yielding, vigorous F1 hybrid

• Disease-resistant and reliable in various growing conditions

• Suitable for garden beds, raised beds, or greenhouses

Harvest

• Harvesting period: 50–60 days after sowing

• Pick cucumbers regularly to encourage continuous production.

Short Tip

Harvest fruits when 15–20 cm long for the best flavor and crispness.

Cucumber 'Aloe' F1 – Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

Cucumber 'Aloe' F1 is a high-yielding, hybrid cucumber variety known for its smooth, dark green fruits and crisp, refreshing taste. Ideal for fresh salads, pickling, or snacking, this vigorous plant produces uniform, disease-resistant cucumbers throughout the season.

Compact and productive, it is perfect for garden beds, raised beds, or container growing.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Sow outdoors: After last frost, spacing 30–40 cm apart

• Position: Full sun

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

• Care: Water consistently; provide support for vines; mulch to retain moisture

Key Features

• High-yielding F1 hybrid cucumber with smooth, dark green fruits

• Crisp and refreshing flavor, perfect for salads and snacking

• Disease-resistant and vigorous growth

• Suitable for garden beds, raised beds, or containers

• Uniform fruits throughout the season

Harvest

• Harvesting period: 50–60 days after sowing

• Pick cucumbers when young and tender for the best flavor and texture.

Short Tip

Provide support for climbing and harvest regularly to encourage continuous fruit production.

Cucumber ‘Saturn’ F1 – Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

Cucumber ‘Saturn’ F1 is a vigorous hybrid variety producing high yields of smooth, dark green fruits around 18–20 cm long. Known for its crisp texture and refreshing flavor, it is an excellent slicing cucumber for salads and fresh snacking. With strong resistance to common cucumber diseases, ‘Saturn’ F1 is a reliable and productive choice for greenhouse or outdoor growing.

How to Grow

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

• Transplant outdoors or into greenhouse after last frost.

• Plant spacing: 60 cm apart.

• Train plants up supports or trellis for best results.

• Keep soil consistently moist and feed regularly.

Key Features

• F1 hybrid with excellent yields

• Smooth, uniform fruits, 18–20 cm long

• Crisp, refreshing taste

• Strong disease resistance

• Suitable for outdoor and greenhouse cultivation

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and sandwiches

• Healthy snacking

• Continuous summer harvests

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: April – May

• Harvest: June – September

Quick Tip

Pinch out side shoots to encourage airflow and focus the plant’s energy on producing quality fruits.

Cucumber 'Marketmore' – Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

Cucumber 'Marketmore' is a classic, reliable outdoor cucumber variety producing dark green, smooth-skinned fruits with crisp texture and excellent flavor. Highly productive and resistant to common diseases, it is perfect for slicing, salads, and fresh eating. Vigorous and easy to grow, ‘Marketmore’ is a favorite among both beginners and experienced gardeners.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: April – May in pots or trays.

• Transplant outdoors: After last frost into a sunny, sheltered spot.

• Sow direct outdoors: May – June, once soil is warm.

• Spacing: 45–60 cm apart in rows or beds.

• Provide regular watering and mulch to keep soil moist.

Key Features

• Classic slicing cucumber variety

• Smooth, dark green, uniform fruits

• Crisp, refreshing flavor

• Heavy cropping and reliable yields

• Resistant to common cucumber diseases

Ideal For

• Outdoor vegetable plots and raised beds

• Fresh summer salads and sandwiches

• Gardeners seeking a tried-and-true cucumber variety

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: April – June

• Harvest: July – September

Quick Tip

Pick fruits regularly to encourage continuous production. Avoid letting cucumbers grow too large for the best taste and texture.

Cucumber 'Gherkin' F1 Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

Enjoy crisp, crunchy harvests with Cucumber 'Gherkin' F1, a high-yielding hybrid variety bred for pickling and fresh eating. Producing small, uniform cucumbers with tender skins and excellent flavor, this vigorous plant is perfect for jars of homemade pickles or snacking straight from the vine. Reliable and easy to grow, it’s a garden favorite for beginners and experts alike.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors in late spring or directly outdoors after frost.

• Prefers rich, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered spot.

• Sow 1–2 cm deep in small pots or stations outdoors.

• Transplant or thin to 30–40 cm apart.

• Train plants vertically for best yield and airflow.

Key Features

• F1 hybrid gherkin cucumber with uniform fruits

• Crunchy, tender texture and excellent flavor

• Perfect for pickling and fresh snacking

• Heavy cropping and disease resistant

• Suitable for outdoor beds, greenhouses, or containers

Ideal For

• Homemade pickles and preserves

• Fresh salads and snacks

• Small gardens, patios, and greenhouses

• Gardeners seeking reliable high yields

Sowing

• Best time: Late spring to early summer

• Depth: 1–2 cm

• Spacing: 30–40 cm between plants

• Requires fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun

Quick Tip

• Pick fruits regularly when young to encourage continuous production.