Soup & Stew Vegetables

Dill Seeds (Anethum graveolens)

Bring fresh flavor and fragrance to your garden with Dill, a versatile culinary and medicinal herb. Known for its delicate feathery foliage and aromatic seeds, dill is a must-have for seasoning fish, soups, pickles, and salads. Easy to grow and quick to mature, it also attracts beneficial pollinators, making it a perfect addition to herb beds and kitchen gardens.

How to Grow

• Sow directly outdoors from spring to early summer.

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

• Sow thinly, 0.5–1 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 15 cm spacing.

• Avoid transplanting as dill dislikes root disturbance.

Key Features

• Aromatic herb with feathery foliage and seeds

• Delicious for seasoning fish, soups, salads, and pickles

• Quick-growing and easy for beginners

• Attracts bees and beneficial insects

• Dual use: fresh leaves and dried seeds

Ideal For

• Home cooking and herbal tea

• Pickling and preserving vegetables

• Companion planting in the garden

• Attracting pollinators and beneficial insects

Sowing

• Best time: March to June

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Row spacing: 30 cm

• Plant spacing: 15 cm after thinning

• Harvest: Leaves in 6–8 weeks, seeds later in the season

Quick Tip

• For a continuous supply, sow dill little and often every 2–3 weeks through the summer.

Spinach 'Winter Giant' – Seeds (Spinacia oleracea)

Spinach 'Winter Giant' is a hardy, reliable variety that thrives in cooler conditions, producing large, dark green leaves with a tender texture and rich flavor. As one of the best winter spinach types, it’s perfect for autumn sowing and will provide fresh harvests well into the colder months.

Packed with vitamins and minerals, this spinach is ideal for healthy salads, steaming, sautéing, or adding to soups and casseroles.

How to Grow

. Sow directly outdoors from August to October for overwintering crops
. Space seeds 5 cm apart, thinning seedlings to 10–15 cm apart
. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
. Keep soil moist to prevent bolting and ensure tender leaves
. Harvest young leaves regularly to encourage continuous growth

Key Features

. Hardy winter variety, excellent for cool-season growing
. Large, deep green leaves with great flavor
. Rich in vitamins A, C, and iron
. Ideal for salads, cooking, and freezing
. Reliable harvests even in colder weather

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow from August to October
. Harvest from October to March

Short Tip

Pick leaves regularly when young and tender for the best flavor and continued production.

Parsley 'Italian Giant' Seeds (Petroselinum crispum)

Enjoy rich flavor and lush harvests with Parsley 'Italian Giant', a robust flat-leaf variety prized for its strong, aromatic taste and vigorous growth. With large, dark green leaves and a long cutting period, it’s perfect for garnishing, cooking, and seasoning. Easy to grow in the garden or containers, it’s a must-have herb for every kitchen gardener.

How to Grow

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

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

• Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in rows 25–30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart for strong plants.

• Harvest regularly to encourage new growth.

Key Features

• Flat-leaf parsley with strong, aromatic flavor

• Vigorous, robust growth and large green leaves

• Long cutting period for continuous harvest

• Ideal for cooking, garnishing, and seasoning

• Grows well in beds, pots, and herb gardens

Ideal For

• Garnishes and fresh salads

• Cooking and seasoning sauces, soups, and stews

• Herb gardens and containers

• Gardeners who want reliable, productive herbs

Sowing

• Best time: Spring, or indoors earlier

• Depth: 0.5 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 20–25 cm apart

• Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Soak seeds overnight before sowing to improve germination.

Herb Sage – Seeds

(Salvia officinalis)

Herb Sage is a hardy perennial herb prized for its aromatic leaves and culinary versatility. Perfect for seasoning meats, soups, and sauces, its gray-green foliage also adds texture and fragrance to herb gardens. Easy to grow and drought-tolerant once established, it attracts pollinators and enhances both edible and ornamental plantings.

Why Grow Herb Sage?

• Aromatic leaves for culinary and medicinal use

• Hardy perennial, drought-tolerant once established

• Attracts bees and pollinators

• Adds texture and fragrance to gardens

Key Features

• Type: Perennial herb

• Height: 30–60 cm

• Flowers: Blue-purple, late spring to summer

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile

Ideal For

• Herb and culinary gardens

• Pollinator-friendly plantings

• Containers, borders, and rockeries

• Perennial garden beds

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in seed trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May directly in prepared soil

• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–20°C

• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart

• Care: Moderate watering; prune after flowering to encourage fresh growth

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.

French Spinach – Purple Spinach Baby Leaf Seeds (Atriplex hortensis, Orach)

Bring color and nutrition to your garden with French Spinach (Atriplex hortensis), also known as Orach. This fast-growing heirloom green produces striking purple-red baby leaves with a mild, spinach-like flavor. Perfect for salads, stir-fries, and garnishes, it’s a fantastic alternative to traditional spinach, especially in warmer weather when spinach tends to bolt. Easy to grow and beautiful in the garden, it’s both ornamental and edible.

How to Grow

• Sow directly outdoors from spring through summer.

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

• Sow thinly 1–1.5 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm for mature plants, or harvest young as baby leaves.

• Pick regularly to encourage fresh growth.

Key Features

• Deep purple-red baby leaves with mild spinach flavor

• Excellent heat tolerance, less prone to bolting

• Can be harvested young or grown to full size

• Dual-purpose: edible and ornamental

• Easy to grow and highly productive

Ideal For

• Baby leaf salads and gourmet mixes

• Stir-fries, soups, and steamed greens

• Gardeners in warm climates

• Edible landscaping and colorful borders

Sowing

• Best time: Spring through summer

• Depth: 1–1.5 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 20–25 cm apart

• Grows best in sun or light shade

Quick Tip

• Harvest young leaves frequently for the best flavor and to keep plants producing longer.

Stinging Nettle – Seeds

(Urtica dioica)

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a versatile perennial herb valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Its vibrant green leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals, making it perfect for teas, soups, and natural remedies. Hardy and easy to grow, it also provides shelter and food for wildlife, supporting pollinators and beneficial insects.

Why Grow Stinging Nettle?

• Nutrient-rich leaves for culinary and medicinal use

• Hardy perennial, easy to grow

• Supports pollinators and wildlife

• Traditional herbal remedy with multiple uses

Key Features

• Type: Perennial herb

• Height: 60–150 cm

• Leaves: Harvest from spring to autumn

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained

Ideal For

• Herbal and edible gardens

• Pollinator-friendly plantings

• Natural remedies and teas

• Wildlife habitats

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in seed trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May directly in prepared soil

• Germination: 14–28 days at 15–20°C

• Spacing: Thin seedlings to 30 cm apart

• Care: Prefers consistent moisture; perennial, low maintenance

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.