Soup & Stew Vegetables

Pumpkin 'Jaune de Paris' – Seeds (Rouge vif d'Étampes)

The impressive Pumpkin 'Jaune de Paris' is a traditional French variety famous for its enormous fruits, weighing up to 22 kg. Its flat, round pumpkins ripen to a rich golden-orange color with sweet, firm flesh that’s excellent for soups, pies, roasting, and preserves. This heavy-yielding, vigorous grower is ideal for gardeners who want both culinary quality and show-stopping size.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors from April to May in pots at 18–21°C.

• Sow seeds 2–3 cm deep in moist compost.

• Harden off and plant out in June once frost risk has passed.

• Allow at least 1 m between plants, as vines spread widely.

• Water generously and feed regularly for maximum growth.

Key Features

• Traditional French heirloom variety

• Produces giant fruits up to 22 kg

• Golden-orange skin with sweet, firm flesh

• Excellent for cooking, baking, and preserves

• Impressive ornamental appeal as well as culinary use

Ideal For

• Soups, pies, and roasting

• Harvest festivals and autumn displays

• Large gardens, allotments, and pumpkin patches

• Growers seeking high-yielding, giant varieties

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: April to May (indoors)

• Plant out: June

• Spacing: 1 m between plants

• Harvest: September to October

Quick Tip

• For extra-large pumpkins, limit each plant to one or two fruits and provide plenty of water and compost.

Parsnip Root 'Kamo' – Seeds

(Pastinaca sativa) – Sweet, Nutritious Root Vegetable

Parsnip 'Kamo' is a reliable, high-yielding variety producing long, smooth, tapered roots with creamy-white skin and sweet, nutty flavor. Its roots become even sweeter after the first frosts, making it a classic for autumn and winter harvests. Excellent for roasting, mashing, soups, and stews, parsnips are rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.

Key Features

• Type: Hardy biennial grown as annual root crop

• Root size: Long, tapered, smooth

• Flavor: Sweet, nutty – improves after frost

• Harvest: Late autumn to winter

• Use: Roasting, mashing, soups, stews

Ideal For

• Traditional vegetable gardens

• Winter kitchen harvests

• Nutrient-rich root storage

• Roasting & hearty seasonal dishes

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–May, directly into prepared seed beds.

• Depth: 1 cm, in rows 30–40 cm apart.

• Germination: 14–28 days at 8–18°C.

• Thinning: 10–15 cm between plants.

• Soil: Deep, loose, stone-free, fertile soil.

• Harvest: October–February (roots store in the ground).

Care Tips

• Do not sow in freshly manured soil (may cause forking).

• Slow to germinate – keep soil consistently moist.

• Leave roots in the ground over winter for best flavor.

Parsley Root 'Osbourne' Seeds (Petroselinum crispum)

Grow a versatile and flavorful root vegetable with Parsley Root 'Osbourne', a traditional European variety prized for its long, white, carrot-like roots and aromatic leaves. Both root and leaves are edible: the roots are perfect for soups, stews, and roasting, while the leaves can be used fresh like regular parsley. Hardy and easy to grow, it’s a must-have for kitchen gardens.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds directly outdoors from early spring.

• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil with full sun exposure.

• Sow 1 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 5–10 cm apart.

• Harvest roots when they reach 15–20 cm long, before heavy frost.

Key Features

• Long, white, carrot-like roots with sweet, aromatic flavor

• Dual-purpose: edible roots and flavorful parsley leaves

• Hardy and reliable in most garden soils

• Excellent for soups, stews, roasting, and garnishing

• Traditional European variety with long history

Ideal For

• Winter soups, stews, and roasted dishes

• Fresh parsley leaves for salads and garnishing

• Home gardeners seeking versatile, dual-purpose crops

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring

• Depth: 1 cm

• Row spacing: 30 cm

• Plant spacing: Thin to 5–10 cm apart

• Harvest: 90–120 days after sowing

Quick Tip

• For best flavor, harvest roots before the first hard frost; store in cool, dark conditions.

Parsley Hamburg 'Alba' – Seeds (Petroselinum crispum)

Parsley Hamburg 'Alba' is a dual-purpose variety grown both for its large, white, parsnip-like roots and its flavorful parsley leaves. The roots are excellent roasted, boiled, or grated raw into salads, while the leaves can be used fresh as a garnish or in cooking. A versatile and easy-to-grow addition to the kitchen garden.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: March – July, directly into well-prepared soil.

• Thin seedlings to 15 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart.

• Prefers fertile, light, well-drained soil.

• Water regularly for strong root development.

Key Features

• Root parsley variety with sweet, nutty flavor

• Dual-purpose: edible roots & aromatic leaves

• Easy to grow and hardy in most soils

• Stores well after harvest

• Great for soups, stews, roasting, and garnishing

Ideal For

• Root vegetable dishes

• Fresh parsley leaves for cooking

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – July

• Harvest: October – December

Quick Tip

For the best roots, loosen soil well before sowing to allow long, straight growth.

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.

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.

Pak Choi Red 'Inferno' – Seeds (Brassica chinensis)

Bring vibrant color and rich flavor to your garden with Pak Choi Red 'Inferno'. This striking variety produces broad, deep-red leaves with green stems, offering a mild mustard flavor that is perfect for stir-fries, salads, and steaming. Fast-growing and highly productive, it thrives in cooler weather, making it an excellent choice for spring and autumn crops.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors from March to August, or under cover for early/late crops.

• Sow thinly, 1 cm deep, in rows 25–30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 15–20 cm spacing.

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

• Harvest young for tender leaves or mature heads.

Key Features

• Striking red-leaved Pak Choi variety

• Mild mustard flavor with crunchy stems

• Fast-growing and versatile in the kitchen

• Thrives in cooler weather and resists bolting

• Excellent for cut-and-come-again harvesting

Ideal For

• Asian-inspired stir-fries and soups

• Fresh salads and garnishes

• Steaming, sautéing, or pickling

• Kitchen gardens, raised beds, and containers

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to August

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: 15–20 cm between plants, 25–30 cm between rows

• Harvest: May to October

Quick Tip

• Keep soil consistently moist to prevent plants from bolting, especially in summer.

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.

Onion 'Signum' Seeds (Allium cepa)

Grow strong, reliable crops with Onion 'Signum', a versatile variety producing uniform, medium-sized bulbs with excellent storage qualities. Known for its firm texture and balanced flavor, this onion is a staple for every kitchen, perfect for cooking, salads, and long-term use through winter. A resilient and productive choice for gardeners.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors in early spring or directly outdoors when soil is workable.

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

• Sow seeds thinly 1 cm deep in rows 25–30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 10 cm spacing.

• Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.

Key Features

• Produces medium, round, uniform bulbs

• Firm texture with mild, balanced flavor

• Excellent for storage after harvest

• High yields with reliable performance

• Suitable for fresh use or winter storage

Ideal For

• Everyday kitchen use

• Long-term storage and winter supplies

• Fresh cooking, salads, soups, and stews

• Gardeners seeking a reliable, classic onion

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring to early summer

• Depth: 1 cm

• Row spacing: 25–30 cm

• Plant spacing: 10 cm after thinning

• Harvest: Mid to late summer

Quick Tip

• For the longest storage life, allow bulbs to dry thoroughly before storing in a cool, dark place.