Soup & Stew Vegetables

Chives ‘Bohemia’ – Seeds (Allium schoenoprasum) – Hardy Perennial

Chives ‘Bohemia’ is a hardy perennial herb, perfect for overwintering and providing fresh growth year after year. Known for its fine, hollow green leaves and mild onion flavor, it’s a versatile kitchen herb ideal for salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes. In summer, attractive purple-pink flowers appear, loved by bees and pollinators, making this a decorative as well as useful garden plant.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April in pots or trays at 15–20°C.

• Sow outdoors: April – July in finely prepared soil.

• Thin or transplant seedlings to 20 cm apart.

• Prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil.

• Cut regularly to encourage fresh growth.

Key Features

• Hardy perennial herb with overwintering growth

• Fine, mild onion-flavored leaves

• Decorative purple flowers attract pollinators

• Easy to grow in pots, borders, or herb gardens

• Reliable year-round harvests

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes

• Herb gardens, borders, and containers

• Attracting bees and pollinators

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – July

• Harvest: May – October, with regrowth in spring

Quick Tip

Divide clumps every few years to maintain healthy growth and extend the lifespan of your chive plants.

Watercress – Seeds (Nasturtium officinale)

Watercress is a fast-growing, nutrient-packed leafy green with a peppery, fresh flavor. Perfect for salads, sandwiches, soups, and garnishes, it thrives in moist soil or near water and adds a vibrant, tangy taste to your dishes. Easy to grow, it’s an ideal addition to kitchen gardens, herb beds, or containers.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds in shallow trays or directly in moist soil from March to July.

• Keep seeds lightly covered and consistently damp.

• Prefers partial shade and consistently moist or wet conditions.

• Transplant or thin seedlings to allow 10–15 cm spacing.

• Harvest leaves when young for the best flavor.

Key Features

• Fast-growing, nutrient-rich leafy green

• Fresh, peppery flavor perfect for salads and garnishes

• Thrives in moist soil or water-adjacent beds

• Ideal for continuous cut-and-come-again harvesting

• Easy to grow in containers, garden beds, or water troughs

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, sandwiches, soups, and garnishes

• Kitchen gardens, herb beds, and small spaces

• Health-conscious and culinary gardeners

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to July

• Depth: Lightly covered

• Spacing: 10–15 cm

• Harvest: April to October

Quick Tip

• Keep soil or growing medium consistently wet to maintain crisp, flavorful leaves.

Tomato Pink 'Maliniak' – Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum)

The Tomato Pink 'Maliniak' is a traditional Polish heirloom variety known for its large, pink, fleshy fruits bursting with rich, sweet flavor. This mid-season tomato is a favorite among home gardeners for its outstanding taste, meaty texture, and versatility in the kitchen. Perfect for slicing, fresh salads, and sandwiches, it also performs beautifully in sauces and preserves.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors from February to April, 0.5 cm deep in seed trays or pots.

• Keep at 18–22°C until germination.

• Transplant seedlings into larger pots when strong enough, then outdoors or into a greenhouse after frost has passed.

• Provide support as plants grow tall and bear heavy fruits.

Key Features

• Large, pink fleshy fruits with rich, sweet taste

• Traditional Polish heirloom tomato

• Mid-season variety with reliable yields

• Ideal for fresh eating and cooking

• Strong, healthy plants suitable for greenhouse or outdoor cultivation

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and sandwiches

• Cooking into sauces and soups

• Traditional and heirloom vegetable gardens

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February to April

• Plant out: May to June (after frost)

• Harvest: July to September

Quick Tip

• For best flavor, allow fruits to fully ripen on the vine before picking. Regular feeding boosts size and sweetness.

Okra 'Clemson Spineless' – Seeds (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Okra 'Clemson Spineless' is the most popular and widely grown okra variety, prized for its tender, spineless green pods and high yields. A warm-season crop, it thrives in sunny conditions and produces long, slim pods that are perfect for frying, grilling, soups, curries, and traditional gumbo dishes. Compact and productive, it’s ideal for home gardens or allotments.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – May in pots or modules with heat.

• Transplant outdoors: After last frost when soil has warmed.

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.

• Spacing: 30–45 cm apart.

• Water regularly during dry spells to encourage pod production.

Key Features

• Famous spineless okra variety

• High-yielding and fast-growing

• Tender, slim pods with rich flavor

• Heat-loving annual for summer harvests

• Perfect for gumbo, curries, soups, and frying

Ideal For

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

• Sunny, sheltered growing positions

• Gardeners who enjoy exotic vegetables

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – May

• Harvest: July – October

Quick Tip

Harvest pods when young (7–10 cm long) for the best flavor and tenderness. Picking regularly encourages further production.

Swiss Chard 'Rainbow' Mix – Seeds (Beta vulgaris)

Swiss Chard 'Rainbow' Mix is a vibrant blend of brightly colored chard varieties, producing stems in shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, and white. Not only is it highly decorative in the garden, but it’s also delicious and nutritious. The tender leaves can be used like spinach, while the crunchy stems add color and flavor to stir-fries, soups, and sautés. A cut-and-come-again crop, it will provide a long season of harvests from summer well into autumn.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: March – August, directly into prepared soil.

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.

• Spacing: Thin seedlings to 25–30 cm apart.

• Keep soil consistently moist for tender, flavorful leaves.

Key Features

• Mix of colorful chard varieties

• Edible leaves and crunchy stems

• Long cropping season

• Cut-and-come-again harvests

• Both ornamental and edible

Ideal For

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

• Edible borders and decorative planting

• Healthy cooking and juicing

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – August

• Harvest: June – November

Quick Tip

Harvest young leaves regularly for salads and cooking. Mature stems can be steamed or sautéed for added color and flavor.

Squash 'Waltham Butternut' Seeds (Cucurbita moschata)

A true garden favorite, Squash 'Waltham Butternut' is a reliable heirloom variety producing pear-shaped fruits with smooth, creamy-orange skin and sweet, nutty flesh. This vigorous plant yields consistently, storing well for months after harvest, making it a staple for soups, roasting, and winter meals.

How to Grow

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

• Use fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position.

• Sow 2–3 seeds per station, 2.5 cm deep, spacing 90–100 cm apart.

• Thin to the strongest seedling per station.

• Harvest when fruits turn golden-tan and stems begin to dry.

Key Features

• Classic butternut squash with pear-shaped fruits

• Sweet, nutty orange flesh

• Excellent storage quality for winter use

• Heavy cropping, vigorous plants

• Versatile for roasting, soups, and baking

Ideal For

• Autumn and winter cooking

• Long-term vegetable storage

• Home gardens and allotments

• Nutritious, hearty meals

Sowing

• Best time: Late spring after frost

• Depth: 2.5 cm

• Spacing: 90–100 cm between plants

• Prefers rich, well-drained soil in full sun

Quick Tip

• Cure harvested squash in a warm, dry place for 10–14 days to improve sweetness and storage life.

Dwarf Dill 'Forrest' – Seeds

(Anethum graveolens) – Compact, Aromatic Herb

Dwarf Dill 'Forrest' is a compact, slow-bolting variety ideal for small gardens, pots, and window boxes. Its fragrant, feathery leaves are perfect for seasoning salads, soups, pickles, and fish dishes. This variety produces consistent, tender foliage and is easy to grow even in limited space.

Key Features

• Type: Annual herb

• Height: Dwarf, 25–35 cm

• Flavor: Classic aromatic dill, mild and fresh

• Harvest: Leaf harvest from 40–50 days after sowing

• Use: Culinary seasoning, pickling, fresh salads

Ideal For

• Small gardens, balconies, and containers

• Culinary use in salads, soups, and sauces

• Companion planting in vegetable beds

• Homegrown, fresh herb supply

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–June, thin seedlings to 10–15 cm apart.

• Sow indoors: February–April, transplant seedlings carefully.

• Soil: Light, well-drained, moderately fertile.

• Sunlight: Full sun preferred.

• Harvest: Cut leaves as needed; avoid cutting entire plants for continuous growth.

Care Tips

• Keep soil evenly moist for tender leaves.

• Regular harvesting encourages bushier growth.

• Protect young plants from strong wind or heavy rain.

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.

Parsley 'Festival 68' – Seeds (Petroselinum crispum)

Bring fresh, aromatic flavor to your kitchen with Parsley 'Festival 68', a robust, curly-leaf variety known for its high yield and exceptional flavor. Ideal for soups, salads, sauces, and garnishes, this versatile herb thrives in home gardens and containers. Easy to grow and slow to bolt, 'Festival 68' ensures a long-lasting supply of fresh parsley throughout the season.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors: February – April, 0.5–1 cm deep in pots or trays
. Sow outdoors: March – June in fertile, well-drained soil
. Thin seedlings to 15–20 cm apart
. Prefers full sun or partial shade and regular watering
. Harvest leaves continuously to encourage new growth

Key Features

. Curly-leaf parsley with strong flavor
. High-yielding and slow to bolt
. Suitable for beds, borders, and containers
. Long-lasting harvest for fresh cooking
. Easy to grow, versatile culinary herb

Ideal For

. Soups, salads, sauces, and garnishes
. Home gardeners and container cultivation
. Continuous fresh herb supply throughout the season
. Companion planting with tomatoes, carrots, or asparagus

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: February – June
. Harvest: April – October

Quick Tip

Regularly snip outer leaves instead of cutting the entire plant to promote continuous growth.