Salad Garden Essentials

Courgette 'Lungo Blanco' – Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

Courgette 'Lungo Blanco' is a striking variety of zucchini that produces elegant, elongated fruits with a pale, creamy-white skin. Its tender flesh is mild and sweet, making it ideal for grilling, sautéing, roasting, or enjoying fresh in salads. This highly productive plant yields continuously through summer and is perfect for both home gardens and allotments.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors from March to April in pots, or outdoors after the last frost from May to June.

• Sow seeds 2–3 cm deep.

• Transplant or thin seedlings to 60 cm apart in fertile, well-drained soil.

• Provide full sun and regular watering for best yields.

• Harvest fruits young for the best flavor and tenderness.

Key Features

• Unique pale white, elongated zucchini fruits

• Sweet, mild flavor with tender flesh

• Continuous harvest throughout summer

• Easy to grow and high-yielding

• Excellent for grilling, roasting, stir-fries, or raw dishes

Ideal For

• Home gardens and allotments

• Mediterranean and summer cooking

• Gardeners seeking a unique zucchini variety

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – June

• Spacing: 60 cm

• Harvest: June – September

Quick Tip

• Pick fruits regularly when 15–20 cm long to encourage further production and prevent plants from becoming exhausted.

Courgette 'Goldena' – Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

The Courgette 'Goldena' is a vibrant golden-yellow zucchini variety that adds both beauty and productivity to the garden. Its smooth, glossy fruits have a delicate, sweet flavor and tender texture, making them perfect for grilling, roasting, stir-fries, or slicing into fresh summer salads.

This vigorous and high-yielding plant produces abundantly throughout the summer, offering a continuous harvest of attractive golden courgettes. Compact and easy to grow, it thrives in beds, borders, or large containers.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: April – May in pots

• Sow outdoors: Late May – June after last frost

• Spacing: 60–90 cm apart

• Soil: Fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained

• Position: Full sun

• Care: Water regularly and harvest fruits young for best taste and productivity

Key Features

• Striking golden-yellow courgette variety

• Sweet, tender flavor ideal for cooking or salads

• High-yielding and continuous summer harvest

• Compact plants suitable for gardens or containers

• Easy to grow and highly ornamental

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: April – June

• Harvest: July – September

Courgette 'Bolognese' – Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

Bring the taste of Italy to your garden with Courgette 'Bolognese', a prolific heirloom variety prized for its slender, dark green fruits and tender, flavorful flesh. Perfect for summer kitchens, these versatile courgettes are ideal for sautéing, grilling, stuffing, and fresh salads. Easy to grow and highly productive, 'Bolognese' is a favorite among gardeners seeking reliable yields and gourmet flavor.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors: March – May, 1–2 cm deep in pots
. Transplant outdoors: After last frost, spacing 70–90 cm apart
. Sow outdoors: May – June in fertile, well-drained soil
. Prefers full sun with regular watering
. Harvest: 15–20 cm long for the best texture and flavor

Key Features

. Italian heirloom zucchini with dark green skin
. Tender, mild-flavored flesh suitable for a variety of dishes
. High-yielding and early-producing variety
. Ideal for sautéing, grilling, stuffing, or salads
. Compact plant suitable for home gardens

Ideal For

. Fresh summer cooking and Italian cuisine
. Home gardeners seeking reliable yields
. Gourmet dishes including stuffed or roasted courgettes
. Small vegetable beds or allotments

Sowing & Harvest

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

Quick Tip

Pick courgettes when young and slender to ensure the most tender flesh and to encourage continued fruiting.

Courgette 'Astra Polka' Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

Add a splash of color to your vegetable patch with Courgette 'Astra Polka', a prolific and compact variety producing golden-yellow fruits. This reliable courgette has a mild, sweet flavor and tender flesh, making it perfect for grilling, stir-fries, or summer salads. Its vibrant fruits stand out both in the garden and the kitchen.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors in April–May or directly outdoors after frost.

• Use rich, well-drained soil in full sun.

• Sow 2–3 seeds 2 cm deep in pots or stations.

• Thin to one strong plant per station, spacing 60–80 cm apart.

• Harvest young fruits regularly to encourage continuous production.

Key Features

• Compact, high-yielding variety

• Attractive golden-yellow courgettes

• Mild, sweet flavor with tender texture

• Perfect for grilling, roasting, stir-fries, and salads

• Heavy and reliable cropper all season

Ideal For

• Home gardeners with limited space

• Garden-to-table cooking

• Summer dishes and fresh eating

• Adding color to both plate and harvest basket

Sowing

• Best time: April to June

• Depth: 2 cm

• Spacing: 60–80 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun, fertile soil

• Harvest: From July onwards

Quick Tip

• Pick fruits when small (10–15 cm) for the best flavor and to keep plants producing abundantly.

Cos Lettuce 'Little Gem' – Seeds (Lactuca sativa)

Cos Lettuce 'Little Gem' is a compact, crisp, and tender romaine-type variety producing small, dense heads with sweet, crunchy leaves. Perfect for fresh salads, sandwiches, and wraps, it matures quickly and thrives in spring and summer sowings. Its uniform size makes it ideal for home gardens, raised beds, and container growing.

How to Grow

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

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

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

• Prefers full sun to partial shade and consistent moisture.

• Harvest outer leaves or whole heads when mature.

Key Features

• Compact romaine-type lettuce with tender, crisp leaves

• Small, dense, sweet heads

• Quick-growing and high-yielding

• Ideal for fresh eating and salads

• Suitable for containers, raised beds, and home gardens

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, sandwiches, and wraps

• Home and container gardens

• Gardeners seeking compact, fast-maturing lettuce

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 protect young seedlings from hot sun to prevent bitterness.

Coriander Seeds (Coriandrum sativum)

Grow fresh, aromatic herbs with Coriander (Coriandrum sativum). This versatile herb produces feathery green leaves and aromatic seeds, perfect for salads, cooking, and spice blends. Fast-growing and easy to cultivate, it’s ideal for herb gardens, kitchen beds, and containers.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds directly outdoors from early spring to late summer.

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

• Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep and thin seedlings to 15–20 cm apart.

• Keep soil consistently moist for best germination (7–14 days).

• Harvest leaves when young and tender; collect seeds when fully mature.

Key Features

• Feathery, aromatic green leaves and flavorful seeds

• Fast-growing and easy to cultivate

• Ideal for fresh salads, cooking, and spice blends

• Suitable for outdoor and container growing

• Hardy and versatile culinary herb

Ideal For

• Herb gardens, kitchen beds, and containers

• Fresh salads, cooking, and seasoning

• Homegrown spice production

• Companion planting to attract beneficial insects

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring to late summer outdoors

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 15–20 cm apart

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

Quick Tip

• Sow in succession every 2–3 weeks for a continuous supply of fresh leaves and seeds.

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.

CHINESE SPINACH ‘RED CALLALOO’ SEEDS (Amaranthus tricolor)

Chinese Spinach ‘Red Callaloo’ is a fast-growing, heat-tolerant leafy green prized for its tender, nutritious leaves. With striking red and green foliage, it is both ornamental and edible, adding color to your garden and flavor to your kitchen. A staple in Asian and Caribbean cuisine, it thrives through summer and can be harvested young for salads or mature for cooking.

Why Grow "Red Callaloo"

• Nutritious, tender leaves with a mild spinach-like flavor

• Heat-loving, fast-growing summer green

• Vibrant red and green foliage adds ornamental value

• A staple in Asian and Caribbean dishes

Key Features

• Type: Annual (Amaranthus tricolor)

• Height: 60–90 cm

• Harvest: 30–60 days from sowing

• Position: Full sun

• Uses: Salads, stir-fries, soups, stews, ornamental beds

Ideal For

• Growing nutritious, heat-tolerant summer greens

• Adding vibrant color to vegetable and ornamental gardens

• Harvesting as baby leaves or mature greens

• Home cooks and gardeners looking for dual-purpose crops

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: After last frost when soil is warm

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Thin seedlings: 20–30 cm apart

• Harvest young leaves for salads or mature for cooking

• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

Chinese Cabbage ‘Pak Choi’ Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Add fresh crunch to your kitchen garden with Chinese Cabbage ‘Pak Choi’ (Brassica oleracea). This fast-growing Asian green produces crisp white stems and tender, glossy green leaves with a mild, sweet flavor. Delicious in stir-fries, soups, and salads, Pak Choi is versatile, nutritious, and easy to grow in beds, borders, or containers.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors from early spring or directly outdoors from spring to late summer.

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

• Sow seeds 1 cm deep and thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart.

• Keep soil consistently moist to prevent bolting.

• Harvest young leaves as cut-and-come-again or allow plants to mature for full heads.

Key Features

• Crisp white stems with tender, green leaves

• Mild, sweet flavor with high nutritional value

• Fast-growing and productive crop

• Excellent for stir-fries, soups, and fresh salads

• Thrives in gardens, raised beds, and containers

Ideal For

• Stir-fries, soups, and salads

• Cut-and-come-again harvesting or full heads

• Home gardens, allotments, and container growing

• Quick, healthy crops for continuous harvest

Sowing

• Best time: Spring to late summer

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: 20–25 cm apart

• Prefers full sun or partial shade, fertile and moist soil

Quick Tip

• Sow in succession every few weeks for a steady supply of fresh, crunchy Pak Choi.