Salad Garden Essentials

Summer Savoy Cabbage ‘Blistra’ F1 – Seeds

(Brassica oleracea var. sabauda) – Early Savoy Cabbage Hybrid

The Summer Savoy Cabbage ‘Blistra’ F1 is a high-quality hybrid producing medium-sized, well-filled, crinkled heads with a fresh green color. Known for its excellent texture, delicate flavor, and reliable performance, it is perfect for summer to early autumn harvests. Its tender, blistered leaves are ideal for both raw use in salads and traditional cooking.

Key Features

• Type: F1 hybrid savoy cabbage

• Heads: Medium-sized, compact, with crinkled leaves

• Flavor: Mild, sweet, and tender

• Harvest period: Summer through early autumn

• Position: Full sun

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

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, slaws, and wraps

• Steaming, boiling, or braising

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

• Successional planting for staggered harvests

Sowing & Growing

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

• Sow outdoors: April–May in prepared seedbeds.

• Transplant: When seedlings are large enough, spacing 40–50 cm apart.

• Harvest: From July to October, depending on sowing time.

Care Tips

• Keep soil consistently moist to encourage even head formation.

• Protect young plants from pests like cabbage white butterflies.

• Apply a general fertilizer or compost before planting out.

Summer Red Cabbage 'Ruphus' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Red Cabbage 'Ruphus' is an early to mid-season variety that produces firm, round heads with an attractive deep red color. Unlike many late cabbages, 'Ruphus' matures earlier, making it perfect for summer and early autumn harvesting. Its crisp leaves and sweet, mild flavor make it a versatile kitchen favorite for salads, coleslaw, pickling, or cooking.

Compact and reliable, this variety is ideal for gardeners who want high-quality red cabbage without waiting for winter storage types.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors from February to April or directly outdoors from April to May
. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle, spacing 40–50 cm apart
. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun
. Keep soil consistently moist and protect from pests
. Harvest when heads are firm and fully formed

Key Features

. Early red cabbage variety for summer and autumn harvest
. Firm, round heads with vibrant red leaves
. Sweet, mild flavor and crisp texture
. Perfect for fresh salads, coleslaw, and cooking
. Compact and productive

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow from February to May
. Harvest from July to October

Short Tip

Harvest when heads feel solid and firm for the best flavor and texture.

Summer Cabbage 'Holt' – Seeds

(Brassica oleracea) – Early, Tender & Reliable Summer Variety

Summer Cabbage 'Holt' is a fast-growing, summer-harvest variety that forms compact, firm, round heads with sweet, mild-tasting leaves. Known for its reliability and early maturity, it is perfect for fresh salads, coleslaw, stir-fries, and light cooking. An excellent choice for gardeners wanting a dependable summer crop.

Key Features

• Type: Biennial, grown as annual

• Heads: Compact, firm, medium-sized round heads

• Flavor: Mild, sweet, crisp texture

• Harvest: Early to mid-summer

• Use: Salads, slaws, stir-fries, light cooking

Ideal For

• Summer harvests with fresh flavor

• Home gardens and allotments

• Healthy, light seasonal dishes

• Succession sowing for continuous cropping

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April for transplanting.

• Sow outdoors: March–May directly in the ground.

• Spacing: 40–50 cm between plants, 60 cm between rows.

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

• Sunlight: Full sun for best results.

• Harvest: June–August, when heads are firm.

Care Tips

• Water regularly to maintain steady growth.

• Protect from cabbage root fly and caterpillars.

• Harvest promptly to prevent splitting.

Spring Onion 'White Lisbon' Seeds (Allium cepa)

A classic favorite, Spring Onion 'White Lisbon' is one of the most popular and reliable scallion varieties. It produces crisp, mild-flavored stems with bright white bases and vibrant green tops, perfect for salads, stir-fries, and garnishes. Fast-growing and hardy, it can be sown throughout the season for a continuous supply of fresh spring onions.

How to Grow

• Sow directly outdoors from early spring to autumn.

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

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

• Thin seedlings to 2–3 cm spacing.

• Harvest when stems reach pencil thickness.

Key Features

• Traditional, best-loved spring onion variety

• Mild, fresh flavor with crisp stems

• Quick to mature and easy to grow

• Can be sown successionally for year-round harvest

• Perfect for beds, borders, or containers

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and garnishes

• Stir-fries and Asian dishes

• Continuous cropping through the season

• Beginner-friendly gardens and containers

Sowing

• Best time: February to October

• Depth: 1 cm

• Row spacing: 20 cm

• Plant spacing: Thin to 2–3 cm

• Harvest: From 8 weeks after sowing

Quick Tip

• For tender, mild stems, sow little and often to enjoy fresh onions all season long.

Spinach 'America' – Seeds (Spinacia oleracea)

Spinach 'America' is a fast-growing, high-yielding variety with tender, dark green leaves and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Ideal for fresh salads, sautéing, soups, and smoothies, it performs well in cool weather and is perfect for successive sowings throughout the season. A reliable choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds directly outdoors from March to July.

• Plant 1–2 cm deep in fertile, well-drained soil.

• Thin seedlings to 10–15 cm apart for optimal growth.

• Prefers full sun to partial shade and consistent moisture.

• Harvest outer leaves regularly for a continuous supply.

Key Features

• Fast-growing, high-yielding spinach variety

• Tender, dark green leaves with mild flavor

• Thrives in cool weather

• Ideal for successive sowings

• Suitable for fresh eating, cooking, and smoothies

Ideal For

• Salads, soups, and stir-fries

• Continuous harvesting from home gardens

• Raised beds, containers, and allotments

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to July

• Depth: 1–2 cm

• Spacing: 10–15 cm

• Harvest: May to October

Quick Tip

• Sow every 2–3 weeks to ensure a continuous supply of fresh, tender leaves throughout the season.

Spinach 'Winter Giant' – Seeds (Spinacia oleracea)

Spinach 'Winter Giant' is a hardy, reliable variety that thrives in cooler conditions, producing large, dark green leaves with a tender texture and rich flavor. As one of the best winter spinach types, it’s perfect for autumn sowing and will provide fresh harvests well into the colder months.

Packed with vitamins and minerals, this spinach is ideal for healthy salads, steaming, sautéing, or adding to soups and casseroles.

How to Grow

. Sow directly outdoors from August to October for overwintering crops
. Space seeds 5 cm apart, thinning seedlings to 10–15 cm apart
. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
. Keep soil moist to prevent bolting and ensure tender leaves
. Harvest young leaves regularly to encourage continuous growth

Key Features

. Hardy winter variety, excellent for cool-season growing
. Large, deep green leaves with great flavor
. Rich in vitamins A, C, and iron
. Ideal for salads, cooking, and freezing
. Reliable harvests even in colder weather

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow from August to October
. Harvest from October to March

Short Tip

Pick leaves regularly when young and tender for the best flavor and continued production.

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.

Spinach 'Greta' F1 Seeds (Spinacia oleracea)

Enjoy a steady harvest of dark green, nutritious leaves with Spinach 'Greta' F1, a modern hybrid variety bred for reliability and flavor. Strong, fast-growing, and slow to bolt, it produces tender leaves perfect for salads, cooking, and smoothies. A great choice for gardeners who want consistent results from spring through autumn.

How to Grow

• Sow directly outdoors from early spring to late summer.

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

• Sow thinly, 1–2 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 10–15 cm spacing.

• Keep soil consistently moist to avoid bolting.

Key Features

• F1 hybrid spinach with strong, vigorous growth

• Dark green, tender, and nutrient-rich leaves

• Resistant to bolting for longer harvesting

• Suitable for spring, summer, and autumn cropping

• Perfect for cut-and-come-again harvesting

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and healthy smoothies

• Steamed, stir-fried, or cooked dishes

• Continuous homegrown harvests

• Garden beds, allotments, or containers

Sowing

• Best time: March to September

• Depth: 1–2 cm

• Row spacing: 30 cm

• Plant spacing: Thin to 10–15 cm

• Harvest: 6–8 weeks after sowing

Quick Tip

• Pick leaves regularly while young and tender to encourage new growth and extend the harvest season.

Sorrel 'Bloody Dock' – Seeds (Rumex sanguineus)

Sorrel 'Bloody Dock' is a striking perennial herb known for its vibrant red-veined leaves and tangy, lemony flavor. Perfect for salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes, it adds both visual appeal and a refreshing zest to culinary creations.

Easy to grow and hardy, this variety thrives in garden beds, borders, or containers, providing both ornamental beauty and flavorful leaves throughout the growing season.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: March – June

• Plant spacing: 20–25 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil

• Care: Water regularly; remove older leaves to encourage new growth

Key Features

• Perennial herb with striking red-veined leaves

• Tangy, lemony flavor perfect for salads, soups, and sauces

• Hardy and easy to grow

• Suitable for garden beds, borders, or containers

• Adds both ornamental and culinary value

Harvest

• Harvesting period: 50–70 days after sowing

• Pick young leaves regularly for the best flavor and tender texture.

Short Tip

Harvest leaves from the outer edges to encourage continuous growth and maintain vibrant color.