Salad Garden Essentials

Bush Tomato 'Vilma' – Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum)

The Bush Tomato 'Vilma' is a compact, high-yielding variety producing small, round, flavorful tomatoes with a rich, sweet taste. Its bushy growth habit makes it ideal for container growing, small gardens, or raised beds, offering fresh, homegrown tomatoes even in limited spaces.

'Vilma' is easy to grow and requires minimal support, making it perfect for beginner gardeners or urban growers. The plants provide abundant fruit throughout the season, perfect for salads, snacking, roasting, or sauces.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Transplant outdoors: After last frost, spacing 35–40 cm apart

• Position: Full sun

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

• Care: Keep soil evenly moist; prune lightly to encourage airflow and fruit production

Key Features

• Compact, bushy plants ideal for containers and small gardens

• Small, round, sweet tomatoes with excellent flavor

• High-yielding and easy to grow

• Perfect for salads, snacking, roasting, and sauces

• Minimal support required

Harvest

• Harvesting period: 60–75 days after sowing

• Pick when fully colored and firm for best flavor and sweetness.

Short Tip

Regular harvesting of ripe fruits encourages continuous production and prevents overripe tomatoes from slowing growth.

Borage – Seeds

(Borago officinalis) – Edible Flowers & Pollinator Magnet

Borage, also known as the starflower, is a fast-growing annual herb admired for its vivid blue, star-shaped flowers and fuzzy, cucumber-flavored leaves. A favorite of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, it makes an excellent addition to herb gardens, vegetable patches, or pollinator-friendly borders. Both flowers and young leaves are edible – perfect for garnishing salads, desserts, drinks, or freezing into ice cubes.

Key Features

• Plant type: Annual herb

• Height: 50–70 cm

• Spread: 30–40 cm

• Flowers: Bright blue, star-shaped

• Foliage: Grey-green, hairy leaves with cucumber flavor

• Position: Full sun to light shade

• Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drained

Ideal For

• Herb & cottage gardens

• Attracting pollinators (especially bees)

• Edible flowers & herbal teas

• Companion planting with tomatoes, strawberries, and courgettes

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: April–June, direct in soil, 1 cm deep.

• Germination: 7–14 days.

• Spacing: Thin to 30 cm apart.

• Flowering: June–September.

Care Tips

• Easy to grow and self-seeding – will naturalize readily.

• Pinch back growing tips for bushier plants.

• Collect flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming.

• Water in dry spells but avoid overwatering.

Black Seeded Lettuce 'Simpson' – Seeds (Lactuca sativa)

The Black Seeded Simpson is one of the most popular heirloom lettuce varieties, prized for its tender, crinkled, light-green leaves and mild, delicate flavour. A fast-growing, early maturing leaf lettuce, it produces abundant loose heads that can be harvested young as baby leaves or allowed to mature for larger harvests.

This variety is particularly valued for its tolerance to heat compared to other lettuces, making it a reliable choice for continuous cropping throughout the season. Ideal for fresh salads, sandwiches, and garnishes.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: March – August, thinly in rows 30 cm apart

• Sow indoors/under cover: February – March for early crops

• Depth: 0.5 cm, cover lightly with soil

• Thin/Plant spacing: 20–25 cm apart

• Position: Full sun or partial shade

• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained

Key Features

• Loose-leaf heirloom lettuce with crinkled, tender leaves

• Fast-growing and early maturing

• Heat-tolerant and slow to bolt

• Excellent for cut-and-come-again harvests

• Great for salads, wraps, and garnishes

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – August

• Harvest: April – October

Beetroot (Cylindrica) ‘Kahira’ – Seeds (Beta vulgaris)

Beetroot ‘Kahira’ is a traditional Egyptian cylindrical variety, well-loved for its uniform shape, tender flesh, and sweet earthy flavor. Its elongated roots slice easily into even rounds, making it a favorite for cooking, pickling, and storage. Productive and reliable, ‘Kahira’ is a hardy beetroot that thrives in a wide range of soils and climates.

How to Grow

• Sow direct outdoors: March – July in well-prepared soil.

• Sow 2 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 10 cm apart once established.

• Keep soil moist for tender, juicy roots.

Key Features

• Cylindrical roots for easy slicing

• Sweet, tender flesh with rich flavor

• High-yielding and uniform growth

• Great for cooking, salads, and pickling

• Excellent storage variety

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, roasting, and boiling

• Pickling and preserving

• Long-term storage for winter use

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – July

• Harvest: June – October

Quick Tip

Harvest when young for extra tenderness, or allow to mature for larger roots ideal for storage and preserving.

Beetroot 'Monorubra' – Seeds

(Beta vulgaris) – Uniform, Smooth & Sweet Beetroot

Beetroot 'Monorubra' is a high-quality, uniform variety valued for its smooth round roots and deep red flesh without rings. It has a sweet, earthy flavor, making it perfect for fresh salads, juicing, roasting, and pickling. The roots store well, and the young leaves can also be enjoyed as a nutritious leafy green.

Key Features

• Type: Hardy biennial, grown as annual

• Roots: Smooth, round, uniform

• Flesh: Deep red, tender, ring-free

• Flavor: Sweet, earthy

• Harvest: Mid to late summer

• Use: Fresh eating, juicing, cooking, pickling, storage

Ideal For

• Kitchen gardens & allotments

• Succession sowing for continuous harvest

• Fresh cooking & preserving

• Nutritious baby leaf greens

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: April–July, thinly in drills 2–3 cm deep.

• Spacing: 10 cm between plants, 25–30 cm between rows.

• Soil: Light, fertile, well-drained, stone-free.

• Harvest: June–October, depending on sowing time.

Care Tips

• Thin seedlings early for best root development.

• Keep soil moist to prevent roots from becoming woody.

• Harvest young for tender roots or leave to mature for storage.

Beetroot 'Chioggia' – Seeds

(Beta vulgaris) – Traditional Italian Heirloom with Striking Rings

Beetroot 'Chioggia' is a famous Italian heirloom variety known for its stunning candy-striped flesh, with alternating pink and white rings. Sweet, mild, and tender, it’s perfect for eating raw in salads to show off its striking appearance, or cooked for a softer, delicate flavor. Easy to grow and quick to mature, it adds both beauty and taste to the garden and kitchen.

Key Features

• Type: Biennial root crop, grown as annual

• Roots: Round, medium-sized with concentric pink and white rings

• Flavor: Sweet, mild, tender texture

• Harvest: Summer to autumn

• Use: Salads, roasting, pickling, juicing

Ideal For

• Unique and decorative salads

• Traditional and gourmet cooking

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

• Beginner-friendly vegetable growing

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–July, thin seedlings as they grow.

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

• Soil: Loose, fertile, well-drained soil.

• Sunlight: Full sun for best development.

• Harvest: June–October, when roots reach 5–7 cm in diameter.

Care Tips

• Keep soil moist for tender, juicy roots.

• Thin seedlings early to prevent overcrowding.

• Harvest young for best flavor and color.

Beetroot 'Alexis' – Seeds

(Beta vulgaris) – Sweet, Tender & Early Harvest Variety

Beetroot 'Alexis' is a reliable, early-maturing variety known for its smooth, uniform, round roots with intensely dark red flesh that remains free of rings. It has a sweet, tender flavor even when roots grow larger, making it suitable for fresh eating, roasting, juicing, and preserving. The variety also shows good resistance to bolting.

Key Features

• Type: Hardy biennial, grown as annual

• Roots: Round, uniform, smooth skin

• Flesh: Deep red, no rings

• Flavor: Sweet, tender, mild earthy taste

• Harvest: Early to mid-season

• Use: Fresh salads, cooking, juicing, pickling, storage

Ideal For

• Kitchen & home gardens

• Early cropping with reliable yields

• Fresh culinary use & winter storage

• Succession sowing for continuous supply

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: April–July, in rows 2–3 cm deep.

• Spacing: 10 cm between plants, 25–30 cm between rows.

• Soil: Fertile, light, well-drained, stone-free soil.

• Harvest: June–October, depending on sowing time.

Care Tips

• Thin seedlings early to allow roots to swell properly.

• Keep soil consistently moist for tender, sweet roots.

• Harvest when small for baby beets or later for larger storage roots.

Beet Leaf 'Bull's Blood' – Seeds (Beta vulgaris)

Beet Leaf 'Bull's Blood' is a striking dual-purpose variety, prized for its deep red-purple leaves and tender beet roots. The young leaves are excellent for adding vibrant color and a mild, earthy flavor to salads, while mature leaves can be cooked like spinach. The roots are small but sweet, making them ideal for roasting or boiling.

With its ornamental foliage and culinary versatility, this variety is perfect for gardeners who want both beauty and harvest from the same plant.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: March – July

• Depth: 1–2 cm

• Spacing: 10 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart

• Position: Full sun

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

• Watering: Keep soil moist to encourage steady growth

Key Features

• Dual-purpose variety grown for both leaves and roots

• Striking dark red-purple foliage adds color to the garden

• Young leaves ideal for salads, mature leaves for cooking

• Sweet, tender roots suitable for roasting or boiling

• Easy to grow and highly ornamental

Harvest

• Baby leaves: From 30 days

• Roots: July – October

• Harvest young leaves regularly to encourage new growth.

Short Tip

Pick leaves when young for the best flavor and continuous regrowth.

Beefsteak Tomato 'Yellowstone' – Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum)

Grow Beefsteak Tomato 'Yellowstone', a striking heirloom variety known for its large, golden-yellow fruits with a sweet, mild flavor. Perfect for fresh salads, sandwiches, and cooking, this tomato delivers juicy, meaty fruits ideal for slicing. High-yielding and vigorous, 'Yellowstone' is a favorite for gardeners seeking visually stunning and flavorful tomatoes.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors: February – April, 0.5–1 cm deep in seed trays or pots
. Transplant outdoors: After last frost, spacing 50–70 cm apart
. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil with full sun
. Support plants with stakes or cages and water consistently
. Harvest: When fruits are fully colored and slightly soft to the touch

Key Features

. Heirloom yellow beefsteak tomato with large, juicy fruits
. Sweet, mild flavor perfect for fresh eating and cooking
. High-yielding, vigorous growth
. Ideal for salads, sandwiches, sauces, and preserves
. Suitable for greenhouse or open-ground cultivation

Ideal For

. Home gardeners seeking colorful heirloom tomatoes
. Fresh salads, sandwiches, and culinary preparations
. Greenhouse or outdoor garden growing
. Gardeners looking for large, flavorful fruits

Sowing & Harvest

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

Quick Tip

Stake or cage plants early to support heavy fruits and prevent damage while ensuring good air circulation.