Slow & Steady Growers

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.

Asparagus 'D'Argenteuil' Seeds (Asparagus officinalis)

Enjoy a gourmet perennial crop with Asparagus 'D'Argenteuil' (Asparagus officinalis). This heirloom variety is prized for its tender, pale pink-tipped spears and excellent flavor. Hardy and long-lived, once established it provides delicious spring harvests year after year, making it a rewarding addition to any vegetable garden.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors in spring or directly outdoors after frost.

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

• Sow 1 cm deep, spacing 8–10 cm apart in rows.

• Transplant seedlings to a permanent bed the following spring, spacing 30–45 cm apart.

• Allow plants to establish for 2–3 years before heavy harvesting.

Key Features

• Classic French heirloom asparagus variety

• Tender spears with pink-tinged tips

• Excellent flavor and texture

• Hardy perennial crop with long productivity

• A rewarding plant for patient gardeners

Ideal For

• Perennial vegetable gardens

• Homegrown gourmet cooking

• Spring harvests year after year

• Gardeners seeking long-term crops

Sowing

• Best time: Spring after frost

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: 8–10 cm in rows, 30–45 cm when transplanting

• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun

Quick Tip

• Do not harvest heavily in the first two years; allow plants to establish for abundant future yields.

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.

Aubergine ‘Halflange Violette’ Seeds (Solanum melongena)

Grow flavorful, glossy vegetables with Aubergine ‘Halflange Violette’ (Solanum melongena). This compact variety produces medium-sized, deep purple fruits with tender flesh, perfect for grilling, roasting, or baking. Easy to cultivate in warm climates or greenhouses, it offers a high-yield, homegrown harvest of versatile aubergines.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost.

• Use well-drained, fertile soil in a warm, sunny location.

• Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep and keep soil consistently moist.

• Maintain a temperature of 22–26°C for optimal germination (10–14 days).

• Transplant seedlings outdoors or into large containers after all risk of frost has passed, spacing 50–60 cm apart.

• Water regularly and support plants if necessary.

• Harvest fruits when fully colored, firm, and glossy.

Key Features

• Medium-sized, deep purple fruits with tender flesh

• Compact, high-yield variety

• Ideal for grilling, roasting, baking, and fresh cooking

• Easy to grow in warm climates or greenhouses

• Attractive, glossy vegetables for garden or container planting

Ideal For

• Vegetable gardens, raised beds, and large containers

• Grilling, roasting, baking, and culinary use

• Homegrown, high-yield aubergines

• Greenhouse cultivation in cooler regions

Sowing

• Best time: 8–10 weeks before last frost indoors

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 50–60 cm apart outdoors

• Prefers full sun, warm conditions, and fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Pinch the growing tips to encourage bushier growth and higher fruit production.

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

Celeriac ‘Albin’ – Seeds (Apium graveolens)

Celeriac ‘Albin’ is a dependable variety producing smooth, round roots with creamy white flesh and excellent flavor. Known for its tender texture and mild, nutty taste, this versatile root vegetable is perfect for mashing, roasting, soups, and salads. A slow-growing but hardy crop, it thrives in cooler climates and stores well through winter.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April in trays or modules at 18–20°C.

• Transplant outdoors: May, spacing 30 cm apart in rows 40 cm apart.

• Prefers fertile, moisture-retentive soil in full sun.

• Keep well-watered during dry spells to encourage large, smooth roots.

Key Features

• Smooth, round roots with white flesh

• Nutty, mild flavor for versatile cooking

• Good storage qualities for winter use

• Reliable variety for cool climates

Ideal For

• Mashing, roasting, and soups

• Winter storage and seasonal dishes

• Home gardens and allotments

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – April

• Harvest: October – December

Quick Tip

Remove side shoots during the season to focus the plant’s energy on swelling the root.

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 Savoy Cabbage 'Vertus 2' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

The Winter Savoy Cabbage 'Vertus 2' is a traditional, hardy variety producing large, dense, medium-green heads with attractive crinkled leaves. It is highly reliable for late autumn and winter harvests, offering sweet, tender leaves perfect for both cooking and fresh use.

This variety thrives in colder climates, with excellent frost resistance that enhances its flavor and texture. A top choice for gardeners seeking a dependable winter vegetable.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – May

• Sow outdoors: April – June

• Transplant/Thin: 40–50 cm apart

• Soil: Fertile, firm, moisture-retentive

• Position: Full sun

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

Key Features

• Traditional winter savoy cabbage variety

• Large, dense heads with crinkled leaves

• Excellent frost resistance and winter hardiness

• Sweet, tender flavor ideal for cooking

• Reliable and productive for cold seasons

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – June

• Harvest: October – February

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.