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.

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.

Winter Kale – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Winter Kale is a hardy, nutrient-rich leafy green perfect for cold-weather gardens. This variety produces robust, dark green leaves that remain tender and flavorful even after frost. Ideal for soups, stews, sautés, or fresh salads, Winter Kale is a staple for year-round gardening and adds both color and nutrition to your plate.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds outdoors from March to July.

• Sow 1–2 cm deep in rows 30–40 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 20–30 cm spacing for strong growth.

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

• Can be harvested continuously by cutting outer leaves, leaving the center to grow.

Key Features

• Cold-hardy and frost-tolerant

• Nutrient-dense dark green leaves

• Continuous cut-and-come-again harvesting

• Ideal for soups, stews, salads, and sautéing

• Easy to grow in home gardens and allotments

Ideal For

• Winter and early spring harvesting

• Nutritious soups, smoothies, and salads

• Beginner and experienced gardeners alike

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to July

• Depth: 1–2 cm

• Spacing: 20–30 cm between plants

• Harvest: September to February

Quick Tip

• Frost enhances the flavor, making the leaves sweeter and more tender.

Onion 'Spanish Sun' Seeds (Allium cepa)

Bring sunshine to your garden with Onion 'Spanish Sun', a reliable, early-maturing variety that produces large, globe-shaped golden bulbs. Known for its mild, sweet flavor and crisp texture, it’s perfect for fresh salads, cooking, or storing. Easy to grow and versatile in the kitchen, this onion is a must-have for every vegetable garden.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors from January to March or directly outdoors from March to April.

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

• Sow seeds 1 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 10 cm spacing for full-sized bulbs.

• Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.

Key Features

• Early-maturing, large golden bulbs

• Mild, sweet flavor with crisp texture

• Suitable for fresh use, cooking, or storing

• Reliable variety for consistent yields

• Easy to grow in most garden soils

Ideal For

• Home gardeners and allotments

• Fresh salads, soups, and everyday cooking

• Long-term storage after harvest

• Gardeners seeking early, high-quality onions

Sowing

• Best time: Indoors January–March, outdoors March–April

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: 10 cm between plants, 30 cm between rows

• Position: Full sun, well-drained fertile soil

• Harvest: August to September

Quick Tip

• Allow bulbs to fully dry in the sun before storing to extend their shelf life.

Squash ‘Pink Banana Jumbo’ – 10 Seeds

(Cucurbita maxima) – Heirloom Variety

Squash ‘Pink Banana Jumbo’ is a classic heirloom winter squash prized for its massive size, sweet, fine-textured flesh, and excellent storage qualities. The elongated fruits grow up to 60–90 cm long and can weigh up to 20–30 kg, featuring smooth pink-orange skin and richly flavored orange flesh that’s perfect for baking, soups, roasting, and purées.

Key Features

• Type: Heirloom winter squash

• Fruit Size: 60–90 cm long, 20–30 kg

• Color: Pink-orange skin with deep orange flesh

• Taste: Sweet, smooth, and nutty flavor

• Days to Maturity: 100–110 days

• Harvest: Late summer to autumn

• Storage: Excellent long-term keeper

Ideal For

• Home gardens and allotments

• Farmers’ markets and heritage collections

• Baking, soups, roasting, and preserves

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: April – May (18–22 °C) in individual pots

• Plant outdoors: Late May – June after frost

• Spacing: 100 × 100 cm (allow plenty of room for vines)

• Position: Full sun in rich, well-drained soil

• Watering: Regular and consistent moisture for best fruit set

Care Tips

• Add compost or manure before planting for vigorous growth.

• Mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

• Harvest when skin hardens and stems begin to dry.

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.

Cauliflower ‘All The Year Round’ – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Description:
Enjoy reliable harvests with Cauliflower ‘All The Year Round’ (Brassica oleracea), a versatile and hardy variety suitable for spring, summer, and autumn cropping. It produces compact, white heads with excellent flavor and texture, ideal for steaming, roasting, or use in soups and casseroles. Easy to grow from seed, this dependable cauliflower performs well in most soils and weather conditions, making it perfect for home gardens and allotments.

Key Features

• Reliable, hardy variety for multiple seasons

• Compact, firm white curds with great flavor

• Suitable for spring, summer, and autumn harvests

• Tolerant of varying weather conditions

• Easy to grow from seed

Ideal For

• Home and kitchen gardens

• Allotments and vegetable plots

• Fresh cooking, freezing, and preserving

• Year-round vegetable production

Sowing & Growing

• Sow Indoors: January–April

• Sow Outdoors: March–June

• Transplant Outdoors: April–July

• Germination: 7–14 days at 15–20°C

• Spacing: 45–60 cm apart

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, firm, well-drained

Care Tips

• Water regularly, especially during dry periods

• Protect young plants from pests and frost

• Add compost or organic matter before planting

• Harvest when heads are firm and white

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.

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