Sow in April

Winter Broccoli 'Ramoso Calabrese' Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Enjoy fresh, homegrown broccoli even in the cooler months with Winter Broccoli 'Ramoso Calabrese'. This traditional Italian variety is prized for its tender green shoots and rich, nutty flavor. Perfect for winter cropping, it produces multiple side shoots after the main head is cut, extending your harvest well into the season. A reliable and tasty addition to any winter vegetable garden.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors from March to May or outdoors from April to June.

• Transplant seedlings when large enough, spacing 45–60 cm apart.

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

• Keep plants well-watered during dry spells.

• Harvest main head first, then enjoy repeat harvests from side shoots.

Key Features

• Traditional Italian winter broccoli variety

• Produces tender, nutty-flavored green heads

• Multiple side shoots for extended cropping

• Hardy and reliable in cooler conditions

• Great for steaming, roasting, or stir-fries

Ideal For

• Winter and early spring vegetable gardens

• Gardeners who want extended harvests

• Nutritious, homegrown cooking

• Allotments and kitchen gardens

Sowing

• Best time: March to June

• Depth: 1 cm

• Spacing: 45–60 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun, fertile soil

• Harvest: November to March

Quick Tip

• Cut the central head early to encourage plenty of side shoots for a longer, more abundant harvest.

Curly Kale 'Sympatic' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica)

The Curly Kale 'Sympatic' is a vigorous and reliable kale variety, known for its decorative, tightly curled green leaves and excellent winter hardiness. This hardy leafy green thrives in cooler weather and can be harvested for many months, making it a staple crop for any kitchen garden.

Kale 'Sympatic' has a sweet, mild flavor that improves after the first frosts, when the leaves become more tender and less bitter. Perfect for soups, stews, stir-fries, smoothies, or simply steamed as a healthy side. The upright plants are also highly ornamental, adding texture and vibrant color to vegetable beds and borders.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – May

• Sow outdoors: April – June, thinly in rows 1 cm deep

• Transplant/Thin: 45 cm apart when seedlings are large enough

• Position: Full sun or partial shade

• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost

• Care: Water regularly and protect young plants from cabbage pests

Key Features

• Hardy curly kale with decorative, ruffled leaves

• Reliable growth and long cropping season

• Flavour sweetens after frost

• Nutrient-rich superfood, packed with vitamins A, C, and K

• Great for winter harvests when little else grows

Harvest

• Harvesting period: October – March

• Pick outer leaves regularly, allowing the plant to continue producing throughout winter.

Short Tip

For the sweetest flavor, leave plants in the ground until after the first frosts – the cold enhances the natural sugars in the leaves.

Vegetable Sponge – Seeds (Luffa cylindrica)

Grow your own natural sponges with Luffa cylindrica, also known as the vegetable sponge or loofah. This fascinating gourd plant produces long green fruits that, when matured and dried, reveal a fibrous interior perfect for eco-friendly sponges, bath accessories, and natural scrubbers. Young fruits can also be cooked and eaten like courgettes. A rewarding and unique plant for gardeners who love trying something different.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors in April, 1–2 cm deep in pots of moist compost, keeping them warm (20–25°C)
. Transplant outdoors or into a greenhouse after the last frost, spacing 60–90 cm apart
. Requires full sun, warmth, and rich, well-drained soil
. Support with trellis or canes for climbing vines
. Harvest young fruits for eating, or allow to mature fully for sponges

Key Features

. Produces natural loofah sponges when dried
. Young fruits edible, similar to courgettes
. Vigorous climbing plant with long vines
. Thrives in warm, sunny conditions
. Unique and sustainable garden crop

Ideal For

. Eco-friendly bath and kitchen sponges
. Gardeners who enjoy unusual crops
. Warm gardens, greenhouses, or polytunnels
. DIY natural skincare and household uses

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: April – May
. Harvest: August – October (young fruits) or later for mature loofahs

Quick Tip

For sponges, leave fruits on the plant until skins turn yellow and dry, then peel to reveal the fibrous loofah inside.

Cucumber ‘Jogger’ F1 – Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

Cucumber ‘Jogger’ F1 is a high-quality hybrid variety bred for excellent yields and superb taste. Producing smooth, dark green fruits around 18–20 cm long, this cucumber is perfect for slicing, salads, and fresh snacking. Its vigorous plants offer a long harvest window with strong resistance to common cucumber diseases, making it a reliable choice for gardeners.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: April – May in pots at 20–25°C.

• Transplant to greenhouse or outdoors after last frost.

• Plant spacing: 60 cm between plants.

• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil and consistent watering.

• Train plants up supports or trellis for best results.

Key Features

• F1 hybrid – uniform, high-yielding plants

• Smooth, dark green fruits (18–20 cm long)

• Crisp texture and refreshing taste

• Excellent disease resistance

• Suitable for greenhouse or outdoor growing

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and healthy snacking

• Home gardens and allotments

• Continuous summer harvests

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: April – May

• Harvest: June – September

Quick Tip

Feed regularly with a tomato fertilizer once fruiting begins to encourage heavy cropping.

Tomato 'Yellow Romus' – Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum)

The Tomato 'Yellow Romus' is a productive variety that produces bright yellow, elongated plum-shaped fruits with a mild, sweet flavor. Known for its attractive golden color and meaty texture, this tomato is excellent for fresh eating, sauces, and preserves. A reliable mid-season crop, it’s perfect for greenhouse or outdoor cultivation and adds vibrant color to your tomato harvest.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors from February to April, 0.5 cm deep in trays or pots.

• Keep at 18–22°C until germination.

• Transplant seedlings into larger pots, then outdoors or into a greenhouse after frost has passed.

• Support plants with stakes or canes for best yields.

Key Features

• Elongated, plum-shaped golden yellow fruits

• Mild, sweet, and meaty flavor

• High yields throughout the season

• Suitable for greenhouse or outdoor growing

• Excellent for fresh use, sauces, and preserving

Ideal For

• Fresh salads and snacks

• Homemade sauces and preserves

• Bright, colorful vegetable gardens

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February to April

• Plant out: May to June

• Harvest: July to September

Quick Tip

• For the sweetest flavor, allow fruits to ripen fully on the vine before harvesting.

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.

Tomato 'Black Prince' – Seeds (Solanum lycopersicum)

The Tomato 'Black Prince' is a famous Russian heirloom variety, cherished for its rich, earthy flavor and striking deep reddish-brown fruits. Medium-sized and packed with a sweet yet complex taste, this tomato is perfect for fresh eating, salads, roasting, and sauces. Hardy and adaptable, it thrives in both outdoor gardens and greenhouses, offering consistent yields of uniquely colored fruits.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors from February to April, 0.5 cm deep in trays or pots.

• Keep at 18–22°C until germination.

• Transplant seedlings into larger pots, then outdoors or greenhouse after frost.

• Support plants with canes or cages to encourage heavy yields.

Key Features

• Traditional Russian heirloom tomato

• Medium-sized fruits with deep reddish-brown skin

• Distinctive sweet, rich, and earthy flavor

• Reliable yields in greenhouse or outdoor conditions

• Excellent for fresh eating, cooking, and sauces

Ideal For

• Heritage vegetable gardens

• Fresh slicing and salads

• Cooking, roasting, and preserving

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February to April

• Plant out: May to June

• Harvest: July to September

Quick Tip

• For best flavor, allow fruits to fully ripen on the vine before harvesting.

Sweet Pepper 'Boneta' – Seeds (Capsicum annuum)

Sweet Pepper 'Boneta' is a vibrant, high-yielding variety producing medium-sized, glossy fruits with a sweet, mild flavor. Perfect for fresh salads, roasting, grilling, or stuffing, it adds color and taste to any dish.

This compact and vigorous plant is suitable for home gardens, containers, and greenhouse cultivation, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced gardeners.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Transplant outdoors: May – June, after last frost

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 40–50 cm between plants, rows 60–80 cm apart

• Position: Full sun, warm and sheltered

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

• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged

Key Features

• Medium-sized, glossy fruits with sweet, mild flavor

• High-yielding and compact growth

• Ideal for salads, roasting, grilling, and stuffing

• Suitable for home gardens, containers, and greenhouses

• Easy to grow and maintain

Harvest

• Harvesting period: July – September

• Pick fruits when fully colored and firm for best taste and quality.

Short Tip

Support plants with small stakes if needed to keep fruits off the ground and prevent breakage.

Sweet Corn 'Golden Bantam' – Seeds

(Zea mays) – Classic Heirloom Variety

Sweet Corn 'Golden Bantam' is one of the most famous and reliable heirloom corn varieties, loved for its richly flavored golden-yellow kernels. Compact and highly productive, this variety produces medium-sized cobs packed with tender, sweet corn. Known for its adaptability and dependable harvests, it has been a gardener’s favorite for over a century.

Key Features

• Type: Sweet corn (annual)

• Height: 150–180 cm tall

• Cobs: 12–18 cm long, golden-yellow kernels

• Flavor: Classic sweet and creamy corn taste

• Harvest: Mid-season (75–90 days after sowing)

• Heritage: Famous heirloom, first introduced in the early 1900s

Ideal For

• Home gardens and allotments

• Fresh eating, grilling, and steaming

• Freezing and preserving

• Classic heirloom vegetable collections

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: April–May, in pots or modules.

• Sow outdoors: May–June, after frost has passed.

• Spacing: 20–25 cm between plants; 60 cm between rows.

• Soil: Rich, fertile, well-drained soil.

• Sunlight: Full sun, sheltered location.

• Pollination: Plant in blocks of at least 3–4 rows for best cob formation.

Care Tips

• Water well, especially during dry periods and when tassels appear.

• Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture.

• Harvest when silks turn brown and kernels exude milky juice when pressed.