Salad Garden Essentials

Pot Marigold Dwarf ‘Sunset Buff’ – Apricot – 1,000 Seeds (Calendula officinalis)

The Dwarf Pot Marigold ‘Sunset Buff’ is a charming, compact variety producing apricot-peach blooms with soft golden undertones. Its warm pastel shades bring a unique elegance to beds, borders, and cottage gardens. Easy to grow and long-flowering, this hardy annual is also edible, with petals traditionally used to decorate salads or for natural dye.

Highlights

• Distinctive apricot–buff blooms with golden tones

• Compact, dwarf habit – perfect for pots and borders

• Long flowering season from early summer to autumn

• Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects

• Edible petals for salads and herbal uses

Key Features

• Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis

• Variety: Dwarf ‘Sunset Buff’ (Apricot)

• Seed Count: 1,000 seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: 25–30 cm tall, compact growth

• Position: Full sun, well-drained soil

• Flowering Period: June – October

Perfect For

• Bedding, borders, and cottage gardens

• Patio pots and containers

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Edible flower displays and herbal uses

Sowing Instructions

• Sow outdoors March–May or August–September for overwintering

• Sow directly into soil, lightly cover seeds

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart

• Deadhead regularly for prolonged flowering

Spinach 'Matador' – Seeds

(Spinacia oleracea) – Fast-Growing, Productive Variety

Spinach 'Matador' is a vigorous and reliable variety producing large, dark green, smooth leaves with a tender texture and rich flavor. It is well-suited for both spring and autumn sowings, offering multiple harvests of vitamin-rich leaves. This cold-hardy variety is slow to bolt, making it a favorite for home gardeners and kitchen use.

Key Features

• Type: Leafy annual vegetable

• Height: 20–30 cm

• Leaves: Large, smooth, dark green, tender

• Flavor: Mild, rich, and slightly sweet

• Harvest: 40–50 days after sowing

• Special: Good resistance to bolting

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, smoothies, and juicing

• Steaming, sautéing, and soups

• Continuous cut-and-come-again harvest

• Home gardens, allotments, and pots

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–May and August–September

• Spacing: 20–30 cm between rows; thin to 10 cm between plants

• Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil

• Sunlight: Full sun or partial shade

• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist to avoid bolting

Care Tips

• Harvest young leaves regularly for best taste.

• Provide light shade in hot summers.

• Mulch to keep soil cool and retain moisture.

Bush Yellow Tomato ‘Aztek’ – Seeds

(Solanum lycopersicum) – Compact Dwarf Cherry Tomato

‘Aztek’ is a miniature bush tomato variety that produces an abundance of bright yellow cherry-sized fruits with a mild, sweet taste. Perfect for small spaces, balconies, patios, and containers, this compact plant grows only 25–40 cm tall and does not require pruning or staking. Despite its small size, it delivers excellent yields of juicy fruits, ideal for snacking and salads.

Key Features

• Type: Dwarf bush cherry tomato (determinate)

• Plant height: 25–40 cm

• Fruit size: ~15–20 g, cherry-sized

• Color: Golden yellow

• Taste: Sweet, mild, fruity

• Harvest: Early – from June/July

• Growth habit: Compact, no staking required

Ideal For

• Containers, pots, and balconies

• Small gardens and urban growing

• Early harvests & continuous snacking

• Children’s gardens – easy and fun to grow

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April, 0.5 cm deep in pots or trays.

• Germination: 7–14 days at 20–25°C.

• Transplant: After last frost, spacing 30–40 cm apart or one per container.

• Support: Not required (self-supporting bush type).

• Harvest: From ~60–70 days after transplanting.

Care Tips

• Ideal for pots (minimum 3–5 L).

• Feed regularly with tomato fertilizer once flowering begins.

• Water consistently – avoid drying out.

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.

Tomato ‘Maskotka’ – Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum)

Tomato ‘Maskotka’ is a Polish-bred bush variety producing abundant clusters of small, juicy, sweet cherry tomatoes. Compact and naturally trailing, it is perfect for pots, hanging baskets, and containers, making it a favorite for balcony and patio growing. With its reliable crops and rich flavor, ‘Maskotka’ is an excellent choice for fresh snacking, salads, or garnishes.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April, 0.5 cm deep in seed trays or pots.

• Transplant: When seedlings are large enough, move to individual pots. Harden off and plant outdoors after the last frost.

• Position: Full sun, sheltered spot.

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained compost.

• Habit: Compact bush (no need to pinch side shoots).

Key Features

• Heavy crops of sweet cherry tomatoes

• Compact, trailing bush – ideal for containers & baskets

• Early and reliable cropping variety

• Low-maintenance: no staking or pinching required

Ideal For

• Pots, hanging baskets, and balcony gardens

• Fresh eating straight from the plant

• Salads, garnishes, and healthy snacking

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – April

• Harvest: July – September

Quick Tip

‘Maskotka’ thrives in containers with regular feeding and watering. Perfect for those who want high yields with minimal effort.

Butterhead Lettuce ‘All Year Round’ Seeds (Lactuca sativa)

Enjoy fresh, tender salad leaves throughout the season with Butterhead Lettuce ‘All Year Round’ (Lactuca sativa). This versatile variety produces soft, buttery-textured leaves with a mild flavor, perfect for salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. Easy to grow and quick to mature, it thrives in both outdoor and greenhouse conditions.

How to Grow

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

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

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

• Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart for healthy growth.

• Harvest outer leaves regularly or cut the whole head when mature.

Key Features

• Tender, buttery-textured leaves with mild flavor

• Quick-growing and versatile variety

• Suitable for outdoor and greenhouse cultivation

• Ideal for continuous harvest throughout the season

• Easy to grow and maintain

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, sandwiches, and garnishes

• Kitchen gardens and raised beds

• Continuous harvest in outdoor or protected environments

• Pollinator-friendly garden spaces

Sowing

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

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Sow thinly, cover lightly, keep soil moist

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

Quick Tip

• Sow in successive batches every 2–3 weeks for a continuous supply of tender leaves.

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.

Tomato Trailing 'Gardenperle' Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum)

Add a cascade of flavor and color to your garden with Tomato 'Gardenperle', a trailing cherry tomato variety perfect for hanging baskets, pots, and containers. Producing abundant clusters of small, sweet, red fruits all season long, this compact plant is a delight for fresh snacking, salads, and garnishes. Easy to grow and highly ornamental, it’s an excellent choice for small spaces and patio gardens.

How to Grow

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

• Transplant outdoors or into large containers after frost has passed.

• Plant in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.

• Sow 0.5 cm deep and space plants 30–40 cm apart.

• Provide regular watering and feed for maximum yield.

Key Features

• Trailing cherry tomato variety

• Sweet, bite-sized red fruits

• Perfect for hanging baskets and pots

• Compact and ornamental growth habit

• Heavy cropping throughout summer

Ideal For

• Patio and balcony gardens

• Hanging baskets and window boxes

• Fresh snacking and salads

• Gardeners with limited space

Sowing

• Best time: Indoors in early spring

• Depth: 0.5 cm

• Spacing: 30–40 cm apart

• Prefers sunny, sheltered spots with fertile soil

Quick Tip

• Pinch out side shoots sparingly; allow natural trailing for maximum cascading effect.

Lemon Balm – Seeds (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon Balm is a hardy perennial herb valued for its refreshing lemon-scented leaves. Perfect for teas, desserts, and savory dishes, it also makes a soothing herbal remedy often used to promote relaxation. Its fragrant foliage attracts bees and pollinators, while its resilience makes it an easy-to-grow choice for gardens, pots, or borders.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – May in trays at 18–20°C.

• Sow outdoors: May – July in a sunny or lightly shaded spot.

• Thin or transplant seedlings to 30 cm apart.

• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil.

• Cut back after flowering to encourage fresh growth.

Key Features

• Hardy perennial with refreshing lemon scent

• Aromatic leaves for teas, salads, and cooking

• Excellent for herbal remedies and relaxation

• Attracts bees and pollinators

• Easy to grow in borders or containers

Ideal For

• Herbal teas and drinks

• Culinary use in sweet and savory dishes

• Herb gardens, borders, and patio pots

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – July

• Harvest: May – October

Quick Tip

Pick leaves early in the morning for the best flavor and fragrance.