Slow & Steady Growers

Large Cabbage 'Polar' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Cabbage 'Polar' is a large, late-maturing variety, producing firm, round heads with excellent storage qualities. This robust cabbage is specially bred to withstand colder conditions, making it a reliable choice for late-season harvests. Its crisp leaves and mild, sweet flavor make it ideal for fresh use in salads, coleslaw, or for cooking in traditional dishes.

A dependable variety for gardeners who want a heavy-yielding cabbage that lasts well into the winter months.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors from February to April or directly outdoors from April to May
. Transplant seedlings when strong enough, spacing 50–60 cm apart
. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun
. Water consistently to keep soil moist and encourage firm heads
. Protect young plants from pests such as cabbage fly or caterpillars

Key Features

. Large, solid round heads with excellent keeping qualities
. Specially suited for colder conditions and late-season harvest
. Mild, sweet flavor and crisp texture
. Perfect for salads, coleslaw, and cooked dishes
. Reliable, heavy-yielding cabbage variety

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow from February to May
. Harvest from September to December

Short Tip

For the best storage, harvest cabbages on a dry day and keep them in a cool, well-ventilated space.

Rhubarb ‘Glaskins Perpetual’ Seeds (Rheum rhabarbarum)

Enjoy a reliable and long-lasting harvest with Rhubarb ‘Glaskins Perpetual’ (Rheum rhabarbarum). This traditional variety produces thick, juicy red stalks with a tangy-sweet flavor, perfect for pies, crumbles, jams, and desserts. Unlike many types, it can be harvested in the first year, making it a favorite for gardeners who want quicker results. Hardy, vigorous, and easy to grow, it’s a must-have perennial for the kitchen garden.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors in spring, or outdoors after the last frost.

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

• Sow seeds 1–2 cm deep and thin seedlings to 60–90 cm apart.

• Keep soil consistently moist during germination (14–21 days).

• Harvest lightly in the first year, then more freely from the second year onward.

Key Features

• Traditional variety with juicy red stalks

• Tangy-sweet flavor, perfect for desserts and preserves

• Can be harvested in the first year

• Hardy, vigorous, and long-lived perennial

• Easy to grow in gardens and allotments

Ideal For

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

• Pies, crumbles, jams, and preserves

• Gardeners seeking a quick-to-harvest rhubarb variety

• Perennial, low-maintenance crops

Sowing

• Best time: Spring indoors or after frost outdoors

• Depth: 1–2 cm

• Spacing: 60–90 cm apart

• Prefers full sun or partial shade with fertile soil

Quick Tip

• Avoid harvesting too heavily in the first year to allow plants to establish strong roots for future crops.

Rhubarb 'Victoria' – Seeds (Rheum rhabarbarum)

The classic Rhubarb ‘Victoria’ is one of the most reliable and widely grown varieties, producing large, thick, rosy-red stems with green flesh. Known for its sweet flavour and tender texture, it is perfect for pies, crumbles, jams, compotes, and sauces.

This hardy perennial is long-lived and easy to grow, thriving in most garden soils. Once established, ‘Victoria’ provides abundant harvests year after year, making it an excellent choice for the home garden.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April in trays or pots

• Transplant outdoors: May – June, once plants are strong enough

• Sow outdoors: April – June in prepared seedbeds

• Depth: 1 cm, keep soil moist

• Spacing: 90–120 cm apart (requires space to establish)

• Position: Sunny, sheltered site

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

Key Features

• Traditional, popular rhubarb variety

• Large red stems with tender green flesh

• Delicious in desserts, jams, and preserves

• Hardy perennial, long-lived and productive

• Easy to grow and low-maintenance

Harvesting

• Do not harvest in the first year (allow plants to establish)

• Harvest from year 2 onwards: March – June

• Stems are ready when 30–40 cm long. Always pull, never cut.

Cauliflower ‘All The Year Round’ – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Description:
Enjoy reliable harvests with Cauliflower ‘All The Year Round’ (Brassica oleracea), a versatile and hardy variety suitable for spring, summer, and autumn cropping. It produces compact, white heads with excellent flavor and texture, ideal for steaming, roasting, or use in soups and casseroles. Easy to grow from seed, this dependable cauliflower performs well in most soils and weather conditions, making it perfect for home gardens and allotments.

Key Features

• Reliable, hardy variety for multiple seasons

• Compact, firm white curds with great flavor

• Suitable for spring, summer, and autumn harvests

• Tolerant of varying weather conditions

• Easy to grow from seed

Ideal For

• Home and kitchen gardens

• Allotments and vegetable plots

• Fresh cooking, freezing, and preserving

• Year-round vegetable production

Sowing & Growing

• Sow Indoors: January–April

• Sow Outdoors: March–June

• Transplant Outdoors: April–July

• Germination: 7–14 days at 15–20°C

• Spacing: 45–60 cm apart

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, firm, well-drained

Care Tips

• Water regularly, especially during dry periods

• Protect young plants from pests and frost

• Add compost or organic matter before planting

• Harvest when heads are firm and white

Cauliflower 'Octavian' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Cauliflower 'Octavian' is a reliable mid-season variety producing large, firm, creamy-white heads with a mild, delicate flavor. Ideal for steaming, roasting, soups, and gratins, it is a versatile addition to any vegetable garden.

This hardy variety performs well in a range of soils, offers excellent disease resistance, and is suitable for home gardens, allotments, and small-scale cultivation.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Transplant outdoors: April – June

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 40–50 cm between plants, rows 60–70 cm apart

• Position: Full sun, sheltered from strong winds

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

• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist for optimal head development

Key Features

• Mid-season cauliflower with large, firm, creamy-white heads

• Mild, tender flavor suitable for steaming, roasting, soups, and gratins

• High-yielding and reliable growth

• Excellent disease resistance

• Ideal for home gardens, allotments, and small-scale cultivation

Harvest

• Harvesting period: July – September

• Harvest heads when compact and firm to ensure the best flavor and texture.

Short Tip

Blanch the heads by folding outer leaves over them to maintain whiteness and protect from sunburn.

Cauliflower 'Delta' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Cauliflower 'Delta' is a high-yielding, early-maturing variety producing large, compact, creamy-white heads. Its tender curds and mild flavor make it ideal for steaming, roasting, soups, or fresh in salads.

Reliable and easy to grow, 'Delta' thrives in both home gardens and allotments, offering consistent quality and excellent resistance to common diseases.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Transplant outdoors: April – June

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 40–50 cm between plants, rows 60–70 cm apart

• Position: Full sun, sheltered from strong winds

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

• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, avoid water stress

Key Features

• Early-maturing variety with large, compact, creamy-white heads

• Mild, tender flavor perfect for steaming, roasting, and soups

• High-yielding and reliable growth

• Excellent resistance to common cauliflower diseases

• Suitable for home gardens, allotments, and small-scale cultivation

Harvest

• Harvesting period: June – September

• Pick heads when compact and firm for best flavor and storage.

Short Tip

Tie outer leaves over the developing heads to protect from sunburn and maintain whiteness.

Cauliflower 'Romanesco Natalino' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Cauliflower ‘Romanesco Natalino’ is an extraordinary Italian heirloom, admired for its striking spiral, lime-green heads with a unique fractal pattern. More than just a showpiece, this variety is nutritious, delicious, and versatile – offering a slightly nutty, delicate flavor that works well roasted, steamed, or enjoyed raw in salads. Highly ornamental yet productive, it’s a standout addition to any vegetable garden.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – May in seed trays or pots.

• Sow outdoors: May – June, directly into well-prepared soil.

• Transplant: Harden off young plants and set them 60 cm apart in fertile ground.

• Position: Full sun, rich, firm soil with good drainage.

• Care: Keep soil consistently moist and protect young plants from pests.

Key Features

• Stunning lime-green spiral florets

• Mild, nutty flavor – more delicate than standard cauliflower

• Traditional Italian variety

• Attractive and productive crop

Ideal For

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

• Chefs and home cooks looking for something unique

• Roasting, steaming, or eating raw

• Eye-catching centerpiece in vegetable beds

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – June

• Harvest: September – November

Quick Tip

For the best curds, ensure consistent watering and feed with a high-potassium fertiliser as heads develop.

Kale Borecole 'Black Tuscan' – Seeds (Nero di Toscana)

Kale Borecole 'Black Tuscan' is a striking, dark-green to almost black leafy kale with deeply wrinkled leaves and a rich, earthy flavor. Also known as Nero di Toscana, this traditional Italian kale is perfect for soups, sautés, salads, and healthy smoothies.

Its hardy, frost-tolerant nature makes it ideal for cool-season gardening, and its dramatic foliage adds both culinary and ornamental value to vegetable beds.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Sow outdoors: March – May

• Plant spacing: 30–40 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

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

• Care: Water consistently; mulch to retain moisture; remove yellowing leaves to encourage growth

Key Features

• Deep green, wrinkled leaves with rich, earthy flavor

• Frost-hardy and suitable for cool-season growing

• Perfect for soups, sautés, salads, and smoothies

• Ornamental and culinary value in vegetable gardens

• High-yielding and easy to cultivate

Harvest

• Harvesting period: 60–90 days after sowing

• Pick outer leaves regularly for continuous harvest; leaves improve in flavor after light frost.

Short Tip

Harvest leaves from the bottom up and after a light frost for the sweetest, most tender flavor.

Kale 'Scarlet' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

The Kale 'Scarlet' is a stunning ornamental and culinary variety, prized for its deeply curled, frilly leaves that turn a rich purple-red as temperatures drop. This hardy kale is packed with vitamins and minerals, offering a sweet, mild flavor that improves after the first frosts.

Beautiful in the garden and nutritious in the kitchen, it’s perfect for salads, smoothies, sautés, and winter soups.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – May

• Sow outdoors: April – June

• Transplant/Thin: 40–50 cm apart

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

• Position: Full sun or partial shade

• Care: Water regularly and protect young plants from pests

Key Features

• Striking deep-red, frilly leaves

• Sweet flavor enhanced by frost

• Very hardy, withstands winter cold

• Rich in vitamins A, C, and K

• Dual-purpose: ornamental and edible

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – June

• Harvest: October – March