Slow & Steady Growers

Kale 'Red Russian' Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Bring color and nutrition to your garden with Kale 'Red Russian', a hardy variety with tender, oak-shaped leaves flushed with purple-red veins. Sweeter and milder than many other kales, it’s perfect for salads, smoothies, steaming, and stir-fries. Cold-hardy and easy to grow, it thrives from early spring to late winter, providing a long season of nutrient-rich harvests.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors in early spring or direct outdoors from spring to mid-summer.

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

• Sow 1 cm deep in rows 45 cm apart.

• Thin or transplant seedlings to 40–50 cm apart.

• Harvest young leaves for salads or allow plants to mature for larger leaves.

Key Features

• Attractive purple-red veined leaves with tender texture

• Mild, sweet flavor compared to traditional kales

• Cold-hardy and reliable through autumn and winter

• Perfect for cut-and-come-again harvesting

• Nutrient-rich superfood, high in vitamins and minerals

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and smoothies

• Stir-fries, soups, and steaming

• Year-round kitchen gardens

• Gardeners seeking hardy, reliable greens

Sowing

• Best time: March to July

• Depth: 1 cm

• Row spacing: 45 cm

• Plant spacing: 40–50 cm

• Harvest: From 6–8 weeks after sowing

Quick Tip

• Harvest young leaves regularly to promote fresh growth and sweeter flavor.

Carrot 'Amsterdam 3' Seeds (Daucus carota)

Enjoy early, tender carrots with Carrot 'Amsterdam 3', a reliable variety that produces smooth, cylindrical roots with a fine texture and sweet flavor. These fast-growing carrots are perfect for fresh eating, juicing, or cooking and are especially suited for early sowings and smaller gardens. A rewarding crop for gardeners who love crisp, flavorful vegetables.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds outdoors from early spring to midsummer.

• Choose light, well-drained soil free of stones.

• Sow thinly 0.5–1 cm deep in rows 20–25 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 5–8 cm apart for full root development.

• Harvest young for baby carrots or let mature for full-size roots.

Key Features

• Smooth, cylindrical roots with bright orange color

• Sweet, tender flavor and fine texture

• Fast-growing and early maturing

• Ideal for baby carrots, fresh eating, or juicing

• Reliable yields in small or large gardens

Ideal For

• Fresh snacks and healthy lunches

• Juicing and cooking

• Early crops for home gardens

• Gardeners with limited space

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring through midsummer

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 5–8 cm, rows 20–25 cm apart

• Prefers loose, stone-free soil in full sun

Quick Tip

• Keep soil evenly moist during germination to ensure strong, uniform seedlings.

Carrot ‘Naomi’ Nantes Type Seeds (Daucus carota)

Enjoy sweet, tender carrots with Carrot ‘Naomi’ (Daucus carota), a classic Nantes type. This reliable variety produces uniform, cylindrical roots with smooth skin and excellent flavor, perfect for fresh eating, juicing, or cooking. Early-maturing and easy to grow, it’s an ideal choice for home gardens, raised beds, and allotments.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds directly outdoors from early spring to midsummer.

• Use fertile, stone-free, well-drained soil in full sun.

• Sow seeds 1 cm deep in rows, spacing seedlings 5–8 cm apart.

• Keep soil consistently moist for even germination (10–14 days).

• Harvest roots when they reach 15–18 cm in length for best flavor and texture.

Key Features

• Classic Nantes type with smooth, cylindrical roots

• Sweet flavor and tender texture

• Early-maturing and uniform growth

• Excellent for fresh eating, juicing, and cooking

• Reliable and easy to grow in most soils

Ideal For

• Vegetable gardens, raised beds, and allotments

• Fresh eating, juicing, cooking, and freezing

• Continuous harvests with succession sowing

• Gardeners of all levels

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring to midsummer outdoors

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 5–8 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Sow in succession every 3 weeks to enjoy a continuous supply of sweet, tender carrots.

Chantenay Carrot ‘Charisma’ F1 Seeds (Daucus carota)

Grow high-yield, flavorful carrots with Chantenay Carrot ‘Charisma’ F1 (Daucus carota). This uniform, early-maturing variety produces thick, short, orange roots with excellent taste, ideal for fresh salads, cooking, and roasting. Hardy and easy to grow, it’s perfect for kitchen gardens, raised beds, and succession sowing.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds directly outdoors from early spring to midsummer.

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

• Sow seeds 1 cm deep and thin seedlings to 5–8 cm apart.

• Keep soil consistently moist for optimal germination (10–14 days).

• Harvest roots when fully grown but still tender for best flavor.

Key Features

• Thick, short, uniform orange roots

• Early-maturing, high-yield F1 hybrid

• Sweet and flavorful, perfect for salads, cooking, or roasting

• Reliable and easy to grow

• Suitable for succession sowing and continuous harvest

Ideal For

• Vegetable gardens, raised beds, and allotments

• Fresh salads, cooking, and roasting

• Succession sowing for steady harvests

• Homegrown culinary use

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring to midsummer outdoors

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 5–8 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Sow in successive batches every 2–3 weeks to enjoy a continuous supply of tender, sweet roots.

Carrot ‘Chantenay’ – Seeds

(Daucus carota)

Carrot ‘Chantenay’ is a classic, reliable variety producing short, broad, conical roots with a rich orange color and sweet, crisp flavor. Ideal for heavy or shallow soils, this variety performs well where longer carrots might struggle. Perfect for fresh eating, juicing, or roasting, ‘Chantenay’ carrots are a trusted favorite for gardeners and cooks alike.

Key Features

• Type: Maincrop carrot

• Root Shape: Short, conical

• Color: Deep orange

• Flavor: Sweet, tender, and full-bodied

• Days to Maturity: 70–85 days

• Soil Tolerance: Performs well in heavier or shallow soils

Ideal For

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

• Containers and raised beds

• Fresh use, cooking, and juicing

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March – July

• Harvest: June – October

• Spacing: Thin to 5–8 cm apart

• Depth: 1 cm

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Loose, well-drained, stone-free

Care Tips

• Keep soil moist for even germination.

• Thin seedlings early to avoid crowding.

• Avoid fresh manure to prevent root forking.

Winter Purple Broccoli 'Miranda' Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Add vibrant color and delicious flavor to your winter harvest with Winter Purple Broccoli 'Miranda' (Brassica oleracea). This hardy variety produces tender, purple-speared florets with a sweet, nutty taste that stand out in the garden and kitchen. Cold-tolerant and reliable, 'Miranda' thrives through the cooler months, ensuring a healthy and colorful crop when other vegetables are scarce.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors in late spring or directly outdoors in summer.

• Use firm, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.

• Sow 1 cm deep and thin seedlings to 45–60 cm apart.

• Keep soil moist and weed-free.

• Harvest from late autumn through winter when florets are deep purple.

Key Features

• Winter-hardy purple broccoli variety

• Produces tender, sweet, and nutty-flavored florets

• Cold-tolerant and reliable in cooler months

• Attractive and nutritious addition to meals

• Long cropping season from late autumn to winter

Ideal For

• Winter gardens and cold-weather growing

• Steaming, roasting, or stir-fries

• Nutritious side dishes and healthy meals

• Gardeners looking for reliable winter crops

Sowing

• Best time: Late spring to mid-summer

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: 45–60 cm apart

• Prefers fertile, firm, well-drained soil in full sun

Quick Tip

• Cut the main head first to encourage side shoots for extended harvesting.

Winter Broccoli 'Ramoso Calabrese' Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Enjoy fresh, homegrown broccoli even in the cooler months with Winter Broccoli 'Ramoso Calabrese'. This traditional Italian variety is prized for its tender green shoots and rich, nutty flavor. Perfect for winter cropping, it produces multiple side shoots after the main head is cut, extending your harvest well into the season. A reliable and tasty addition to any winter vegetable garden.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors from March to May or outdoors from April to June.

• Transplant seedlings when large enough, spacing 45–60 cm apart.

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

• Keep plants well-watered during dry spells.

• Harvest main head first, then enjoy repeat harvests from side shoots.

Key Features

• Traditional Italian winter broccoli variety

• Produces tender, nutty-flavored green heads

• Multiple side shoots for extended cropping

• Hardy and reliable in cooler conditions

• Great for steaming, roasting, or stir-fries

Ideal For

• Winter and early spring vegetable gardens

• Gardeners who want extended harvests

• Nutritious, homegrown cooking

• Allotments and kitchen gardens

Sowing

• Best time: March to June

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: 45–60 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun, fertile soil

• Harvest: November to March

Quick Tip

• Cut the central head early to encourage plenty of side shoots for a longer, more abundant harvest.

Aubergine Eggplant ‘Black Beauty’ – 150 Seeds (Solanum melongena)

Description:
Grow classic, glossy eggplants with Aubergine ‘Black Beauty’ (Solanum melongena). This high-yielding variety produces large, dark purple fruits with tender flesh and mild flavor, perfect for grilling, roasting, or sautéing. Ideal for greenhouses, containers, and garden beds, ‘Black Beauty’ is easy to grow from seed and provides a long harvest throughout the summer. A favorite for home gardeners seeking versatile and productive eggplants.

Key Features

• Large, glossy dark purple fruits

• Mild, tender flesh suitable for a variety of dishes

• High-yielding and long-harvesting variety

• Easy to grow from seed

• Ideal for greenhouses, containers, and garden beds

Ideal For

• Kitchen and home vegetable gardens

• Containers, raised beds, and greenhouse cultivation

• Culinary use: grilling, roasting, sautéing

• Home gardeners seeking productive eggplants

Sowing & Growing

• Sow Indoors: February–April

• Transplant Outdoors: May–June, after frost

• Germination: 7–14 days at 20–25°C

• Spacing: 50–60 cm apart

• Support: Optional staking for heavy fruits

• Light: Full sun

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

Care Tips

• Water consistently, keeping soil evenly moist

• Fertilize every 2–3 weeks with balanced fertilizer

• Mulch to retain moisture and control weeds

• Harvest when fruits are fully glossy and firm

Aubergine 'Rotonda Bianca Sfumata di Rosa' – Seeds (Solanum melongena)

A true Italian heirloom, ‘Rotonda Bianca Sfumata di Rosa’ is one of the most striking and delicious aubergines you can grow. Its fruits are round, creamy-white with beautiful pink to violet shading, making them as decorative as they are tasty. The flesh is tender, mild, and sweet, never bitter, and perfect for grilling, roasting, or adding to Mediterranean dishes. Productive plants produce a generous harvest throughout summer.

How to Grow

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

• Germination: 18–25°C; aubergines need steady warmth to sprout.

• Transplant: Pot on seedlings and harden off before planting outdoors after frost.

• Spacing: 50–60 cm apart.

• Position: Full sun, sheltered and warm spot (greenhouse or polytunnel recommended in cooler climates).

Key Features

• Traditional Italian heirloom aubergine

• Decorative, round fruits with pink-violet blush

• Tender flesh with mild, sweet flavor

• Prolific, long harvest period

• Ideal for grilling, baking, or Mediterranean cooking

Ideal For

• Mediterranean cuisine (Parmigiana, Ratatouille, Grilled Aubergine)

• Greenhouses, polytunnels, or sunny gardens

• Gardeners seeking unique, colourful crops

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: January – April

• Harvest: July – September

Quick Tip

For best results, pinch out the growing tip once the plant has 5–6 fruits developing. This helps focus energy on ripening for a bigger, tastier harvest.