Soup & Stew Vegetables

Welsh Onion 'Kroll' – Seeds (Allium fistulosum)

The Welsh Onion 'Kroll' is a hardy and versatile perennial onion grown for its slender, upright stems and mild, onion-like flavor. Unlike bulb onions, it does not form bulbs but produces clusters of long, hollow stems that can be cut and used fresh like spring onions or left to grow for a stronger flavor. An easy, cut-and-come-again crop that thrives year after year.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds outdoors from March to July or indoors earlier for transplanting.

• Sow thinly, 1 cm deep, in rows 20 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 10 cm spacing once established.

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

• Harvest by cutting stems as required, leaving roots intact for regrowth.

Key Features

• Perennial onion producing clusters of hollow stems

• Mild, fresh onion flavor

• Easy cut-and-come-again harvest

• Hardy and long-lived in the garden

• Perfect alternative to spring onions

Ideal For

• Soups, salads, stir-fries, and garnishes

• Kitchen gardens, allotments, and containers

• Low-maintenance perennial cropping

• Year-round use in cooking

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to July

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: 10 cm between plants, 20 cm between rows

• Harvest: June to October, with regrowth year after year

Quick Tip

• Divide clumps every few years to keep plants vigorous and productive.

Chinese Cabbage 'Hilton' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Chinese Cabbage 'Hilton' is a highly productive, reliable variety that produces large, barrel-shaped heads with crisp, pale green leaves and a sweet, mild flavor. Popular in Asian cuisine, it’s perfect for stir-fries, soups, salads, and traditional dishes like kimchi.

Fast-growing and versatile, 'Hilton' is ideal for both spring and late-summer sowings, offering gardeners a quick and rewarding crop.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors from March to May or directly outdoors from April
. For autumn crops, sow again from July to August
. Space plants 30–40 cm apart in fertile, moist soil
. Prefers cooler growing conditions for best results
. Protect young plants from pests such as flea beetles

Key Features

. Large, dense heads of sweet, tender leaves
. Quick-growing variety, ready in 60–75 days
. Excellent for stir-fries, salads, soups, and kimchi
. Can be grown in spring or late summer for staggered harvests
. High yields and reliable performance

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow from March to May or July to August
. Harvest from June to October

Short Tip

For the best flavor, harvest before heads become too mature, as older leaves can turn bitter.

Pumpkin 'Jack o'Lantern' Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

Create the perfect Halloween display with Pumpkin 'Jack o'Lantern' (Cucurbita pepo). This classic variety produces medium-sized, round fruits with smooth, deep-orange skin that’s ideal for carving. In addition to being a festive favorite, the sweet, fine-textured flesh is excellent for pies, soups, and roasting, making it both decorative and delicious.

How to Grow

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

• Use rich, well-drained soil in full sun.

• Sow 2–3 cm deep, either in pots indoors or in mounds outdoors.

• Transplant seedlings or thin outdoor sowings to 90–120 cm apart.

• Water well and feed regularly for large, healthy fruits.

Key Features

• Classic pumpkin variety for carving and cooking

• Produces round, deep-orange fruits

• Medium size, perfect for Halloween lanterns

• Sweet, fine-textured flesh for baking and soups

• Decorative and edible in equal measure

Ideal For

• Halloween carving and autumn displays

• Homemade pies, soups, and roasts

• Garden beds and allotments

• Families and festive gardeners

Sowing

• Best time: Indoors late spring or outdoors after frost

• Depth: 2–3 cm

• Spacing: 90–120 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and rich, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Harvest pumpkins when the skin is firm and orange, and cure them in a dry, sunny spot to improve storage life.

Pink Thai Egg Tomato – Seeds

(Solanum lycopersicum)

Pink Thai Egg Tomato is a rare heirloom variety from Thailand known for its egg-shaped, rose-pink fruits and exceptional productivity. The smooth, glossy tomatoes grow in clusters and have a sweet, mild flavor with low acidity, making them perfect for fresh salads, salsas, and light cooking. Compact and hardy, this variety thrives in both warm and temperate climates.

Key Features

• Fruit Shape: Small, egg-shaped

• Color: Pink to rose-red

• Flavor: Mild, sweet, and low-acid

• Growth Habit: Indeterminate

• Days to Maturity: 70–80 days

• Yield: Heavy cropper with clusters of uniform fruits

Ideal For

• Greenhouses, gardens, and containers

• Fresh eating and gourmet dishes

• Heirloom and specialty tomato collections

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Transplant outdoors: After last frost

• Harvest: July – October

• Spacing: 45–60 cm apart

• Position: Full sun, sheltered

• Soil: Rich, well-drained compost

Care Tips

• Support with stakes or cages for best yield.

• Water regularly and feed with tomato fertilizer once flowering begins.

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.

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.

Broccoletto 'Quarantino' – Seeds

(Brassica rapa) – Traditional Italian Spring Green

Broccoletto 'Quarantino' is a classic Italian leafy vegetable, prized for its tender, flavorful shoots and leaves. Belonging to the Brassica rapa family, this variety is fast-growing and ready to harvest in just 40 days – hence the name Quarantino (“forty days”). It is widely used in traditional Italian cuisine, either lightly steamed, sautéed with olive oil and garlic, or added to soups and pasta dishes.

Key Features

• Type: Hardy leafy green (annual/biannual)

• Growth: Vigorous, compact, fast-maturing (around 40 days)

• Flavor: Tender, slightly peppery and nutty taste

• Harvest: Young leaves and shoots for continuous picking

• Use: Italian cuisine, stir-fries, soups, pasta, and side dishes

Ideal For

• Traditional Italian cooking

• Cut-and-come-again harvests

• Quick, reliable leafy green supply

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–September, in rows or broadcast.

• Spacing: 20–30 cm between plants.

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost.

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.

• Harvest: From 40 days after sowing, cut young shoots regularly to encourage new growth.

Care Tips

• Keep soil moist for tender leaves.

• Harvest frequently to prolong production.

• Best enjoyed fresh – tender shoots have peak flavor.

Lovage Seeds (Levisticum officinale)

Grow a robust, aromatic herb with Lovage (Levisticum officinale). This perennial produces tall, leafy stems with a strong celery-like flavor, perfect for soups, stews, stocks, and herbal infusions. Hardy and long-lived, it’s ideal for herb gardens, perennial beds, and pollinator-friendly plantings.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors in spring.

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

• Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep and thin seedlings to 40–50 cm apart.

• Keep soil consistently moist until germination (14–21 days).

• Transplant seedlings outdoors after frost risk has passed.

• Harvest leaves and stems as needed; roots can be harvested in autumn.

Key Features

• Tall, leafy perennial with strong celery-like flavor

• Hardy, long-lived, and easy to grow

• Ideal for soups, stews, stocks, and herbal infusions

• Attracts pollinators and enhances garden biodiversity

• Suitable for herb gardens, perennial beds, and companion planting

Ideal For

• Herb gardens and kitchen beds

• Culinary use in soups, stews, stocks, and teas

• Perennial borders and pollinator-friendly plantings

• Long-term herb cultivation with minimal maintenance

Sowing

• Best time: Spring indoors or outdoors after frost

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 40–50 cm apart

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

Quick Tip

• Regularly trim leaves to encourage bushier growth and a continuous supply throughout the season.

Pointed Red Cabbage ‘Kalibos’ – Seeds

(Brassica oleracea L.)

Pointed Red Cabbage ‘Kalibos’ is an exceptional variety combining the sweet flavor of pointed cabbage with the deep red color of traditional red cabbage. The tight, conical heads are medium-sized, firm, and full of crisp, tender leaves with a mild, slightly sweet taste—perfect for salads, coleslaws, and light cooking.

Key Features

• Type: Red pointed cabbage

• Head Shape: Conical, medium-sized, dense

• Color: Deep purple-red

• Taste: Sweet, mild, and crisp

• Days to Maturity: 110–120 days

• Harvest Period: Late summer to autumn

• Storage: Good short-term storage variety

Ideal For

• Home gardens and allotments

• Fresh salads and coleslaws

• Cooking, fermenting, and pickling

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Transplant outdoors: April – May

• Harvest: August – October

• Spacing: 40 × 50 cm

• Position: Sunny, sheltered spot

• Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil enriched with compost

Care Tips

• Keep soil consistently moist for tender heads.

• Apply organic fertilizer or compost during growth.

• Protect from cabbage butterflies with netting.