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.

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.

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.

Ramsons Wild Garlic – Seeds (Allium ursinum)

Ramsons Wild Garlic is a hardy perennial herb prized for its aromatic, garlicky leaves. Perfect for adding fresh, vibrant flavor to salads, pestos, soups, and sauces, it is a versatile addition to any herb or woodland garden. Its delicate white flowers also provide ornamental interest and attract pollinators.

This low-maintenance plant thrives in shaded, moist areas and can naturalize over time, creating a fragrant ground cover in suitable conditions.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: January – March

• Sow outdoors: March – May

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 20–25 cm between plants

• Position: Partial to full shade, woodland-type environment

• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained

• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells

Key Features

• Hardy perennial with aromatic, garlicky leaves

• Ideal for salads, pestos, soups, and sauces

• Attractive white flowers that attract pollinators

• Low-maintenance, naturalizes well in shaded areas

• Thrives in moist, fertile, well-drained soils

Harvest

• Harvesting period: March – May

• Pick young leaves before flowering for the best flavor.

Short Tip

Avoid harvesting all leaves at once; leave some for continued growth and flowering.

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.

Aubergine 'Black Beauty' – Seeds (Solanum melongena)

The classic Black Beauty aubergine is a time-honored variety producing large, glossy, deep-purple fruits with tender flesh and rich flavor. Compact and reliable, it’s a favorite for home gardeners and a staple in Mediterranean cuisine. Perfect for grilling, roasting, baking, or adding to curries and stews, this aubergine is as versatile as it is delicious.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors from January to April in trays or pots.

• Sow 0.5 cm deep in moist compost, keeping warm at 20–25°C.

• Transplant seedlings into larger pots when big enough to handle.

• Harden off and plant out in a greenhouse or sunny, sheltered spot once frosts have passed.

• Support plants as they grow and keep soil moist.

Key Features

• Classic heirloom aubergine variety

• Large, glossy, deep-purple fruits

• Rich, tender flesh with excellent flavor

• Reliable and high-yielding

• Suitable for greenhouses, polytunnels, or warm outdoor sites

Ideal For

• Mediterranean cooking

• Roasting, grilling, frying, and stews

• Greenhouses, polytunnels, or sunny patios

• Home gardeners seeking a proven classic

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: January to April (indoors)

• Depth: 0.5 cm

• Transplant spacing: 40–50 cm

• Harvest: August to October

Quick Tip

• Pinch out the growing tip when the plant reaches about 30 cm to encourage bushier growth and more fruit.

Chinese Cabbage ‘Pak Choi’ Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Add fresh crunch to your kitchen garden with Chinese Cabbage ‘Pak Choi’ (Brassica oleracea). This fast-growing Asian green produces crisp white stems and tender, glossy green leaves with a mild, sweet flavor. Delicious in stir-fries, soups, and salads, Pak Choi is versatile, nutritious, and easy to grow in beds, borders, or containers.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors from early spring or directly outdoors from spring to late summer.

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

• Sow seeds 1 cm deep and thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart.

• Keep soil consistently moist to prevent bolting.

• Harvest young leaves as cut-and-come-again or allow plants to mature for full heads.

Key Features

• Crisp white stems with tender, green leaves

• Mild, sweet flavor with high nutritional value

• Fast-growing and productive crop

• Excellent for stir-fries, soups, and fresh salads

• Thrives in gardens, raised beds, and containers

Ideal For

• Stir-fries, soups, and salads

• Cut-and-come-again harvesting or full heads

• Home gardens, allotments, and container growing

• Quick, healthy crops for continuous harvest

Sowing

• Best time: Spring to late summer

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: 20–25 cm apart

• Prefers full sun or partial shade, fertile and moist soil

Quick Tip

• Sow in succession every few weeks for a steady supply of fresh, crunchy Pak Choi.

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.

Squash 'Uchiki Kuri' Seeds (Cucurbita maxima)

Discover the gourmet favorite Squash 'Uchiki Kuri', also known as the Red Kuri or Onion Squash. This reliable Japanese variety produces small, tear-drop shaped fruits with vibrant orange skin and rich, nutty-sweet golden flesh. Perfect for roasting, soups, curries, and baking, it’s a versatile squash that stores well for winter use.

How to Grow

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

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

• Sow 2–3 seeds 2 cm deep in small pots or stations.

• Transplant or thin to one strong plant per station, 90–120 cm apart.

• Water regularly and feed for strong growth.

Key Features

• Traditional Japanese squash with bright orange fruits

• Nutty, sweet flavor with smooth golden flesh

• Compact, manageable fruits (1–2 kg each)

• Stores well for winter use

• High-yielding and easy to grow

Ideal For

• Roasting, soups, curries, and baking

• Winter storage and long-lasting kitchen use

• Home gardeners seeking gourmet squash varieties

• Allotments, vegetable beds, or spacious gardens

Sowing

• Best time: April to June

• Depth: 2 cm

• Spacing: 90–120 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun, fertile soil

• Harvest: September to October

Quick Tip

• Cure fruits in the sun after harvest for longer storage life and enhanced sweetness.