Slow & Steady Growers

Aubergine 'Golden Egg' – Seeds (Solanum melongena)

Add a touch of the unusual to your garden with the striking Golden Egg aubergine. This rare and decorative variety produces small, oval fruits that ripen to a stunning golden yellow. Compact and easy to grow, it’s both ornamental and edible, making it a real talking point in any kitchen garden, greenhouse, or patio pot. The tender fruits are perfect for grilling, baking, or adding a unique twist to your favorite dishes.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors from January to April at 20–25°C.

• Sow 0.5 cm deep in trays or pots of moist compost.

• Transplant seedlings into larger pots when strong enough.

• Harden off and plant into greenhouse borders, grow bags, or sunny sheltered beds after the last frost.

• Water regularly and support as fruits develop.

Key Features

• Rare aubergine variety with golden-yellow fruits

• Compact plants, ideal for pots and greenhouses

• Edible and ornamental – perfect for display and cooking

• Easy to grow with good yields

• Unique centerpiece for kitchen gardens

Ideal For

• Greenhouses, polytunnels, and sunny patios

• Decorative planting with edible appeal

• Grilling, baking, and creative cooking

• Gardeners looking for something unusual

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: January to April (indoors)

• Depth: 0.5 cm

• Spacing: 40–50 cm

• Harvest: August to October

Quick Tip

• For best results, pick fruits regularly when firm and brightly colored to encourage continuous production.

Autumn Cabbage 'Stonehead' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

The Autumn Cabbage 'Stonehead' is a reliable hybrid variety that produces solid, round heads with crisp, tender leaves. Known for its excellent uniformity and resistance to splitting, this cabbage is perfect for autumn harvests and offers a mild, sweet flavor. Its compact growth habit makes it ideal for smaller garden spaces while still delivering generous yields.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors from February to April or directly outdoors from April.

• Plant 1 cm deep in trays or modules and transplant when seedlings are strong enough.

• Space plants 30–40 cm apart in firm, fertile soil with plenty of moisture.

• Harvest from late summer into autumn as heads mature.

Key Features

• Hybrid cabbage with solid, round heads

• Sweet, mild flavor and tender texture

• Excellent resistance to splitting

• Compact growth, great for smaller gardens

• Perfect for cooking, steaming, and coleslaw

Ideal For

• Autumn kitchen gardens

• Fresh cooking and storing

• Gardeners seeking reliable, uniform harvests

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February to April

• Harvest: August to October

Quick Tip

• Keep soil consistently moist to encourage dense, firm heads and avoid stress splitting.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Red Cabbage 'Langedijker Bewaar 2' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Red Cabbage 'Langedijker Bewaar 2' is a classic late-maturing variety, producing solid, round heads with a striking deep red color. Known for its excellent keeping qualities, this cabbage can be stored well into winter, making it a reliable choice for long-term use. With its crisp texture and sweet, mild flavor, it is perfect for coleslaw, braised dishes, pickling, or adding vibrant color to fresh salads.

A hardy, dependable variety that thrives in cooler conditions and provides uniform, high-quality yields.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors from February to April or directly outdoors from April to May
. Transplant seedlings when strong enough, spacing 50 cm apart
. Grows best in fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position
. Keep soil evenly moist and protect young plants from pests
. Harvest heads when firm and fully developed

Key Features

. Traditional red cabbage with firm, solid heads
. Attractive deep red leaves with sweet, mild taste
. Excellent for storage and winter use
. Versatile in the kitchen – salads, pickles, and cooked dishes
. High-yielding and reliable variety

Sowing & Harvest

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

Short Tip

To extend storage life, harvest in dry conditions and leave outer leaves intact until use.

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.