Sow in April

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.

🍅 Solanum lycopersicum Pink Tomato ‘Brandywine’ – Classic Heirloom with Exceptional Flavour

‘Brandywine’ is one of the most famous heirloom pink tomatoes, prized worldwide for its outstanding, rich and complex flavour. The large, beefsteak-type fruits are soft pink to rose-red, often slightly ribbed, with juicy flesh and a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. Plants are vigorous and typically potato-leaf type, producing heavy crops of large tomatoes ideal for fresh eating, slicing, salads and sandwiches. A must-grow variety for tomato connoisseurs.

Key Features

● Large pink beefsteak tomatoes with superb flavour

● Classic heirloom variety with potato-leaf foliage

● Juicy, meaty flesh ideal for slicing

● Best for fresh use and gourmet dishes

● Popular variety among home gardeners and chefs

How to Sow & Grow Tomato ‘Brandywine’ (UK)

Sow indoors: II–III (February–March)

Transplant outdoors: V–VI (May–June) after last frost

Direct outdoors: Not recommended

Harvest: VII–IX (July–September)

Life cycle: Annual

Germination temperature: 20–25 °C (68–77 °F)

Average germ time: 7–14 days

Depth: 0.5 cm (¼ in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Keep soil evenly moist

Environment: Full sun

Soil type: Fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter

Plant spacing: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)

Height: 150–180 cm (59–71 in)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Requires staking or support due to large fruit size.

● Best grown under cover or in a warm, sheltered position in cooler climates.

● Feed regularly once flowering begins.

● Water consistently to prevent fruit cracking.

● Harvest when fully coloured for best flavour.

Special Features

● Legendary heirloom tomato with premium taste

● Large, attractive pink fruits

● Excellent choice for gourmet and heritage gardens

Winter Savoy Cabbage 'Vertus 2' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

The Winter Savoy Cabbage 'Vertus 2' is a traditional, hardy variety producing large, dense, medium-green heads with attractive crinkled leaves. It is highly reliable for late autumn and winter harvests, offering sweet, tender leaves perfect for both cooking and fresh use.

This variety thrives in colder climates, with excellent frost resistance that enhances its flavor and texture. A top choice for gardeners seeking a dependable winter vegetable.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – May

• Sow outdoors: April – June

• Transplant/Thin: 40–50 cm apart

• Soil: Fertile, firm, moisture-retentive

• Position: Full sun

• Care: Keep soil consistently moist and protect young plants from cabbage pests

Key Features

• Traditional winter savoy cabbage variety

• Large, dense heads with crinkled leaves

• Excellent frost resistance and winter hardiness

• Sweet, tender flavor ideal for cooking

• Reliable and productive for cold seasons

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – June

• Harvest: October – February

Batavian Lettuce 'Canasta' – Seeds (Lactuca sativa)

Enjoy crisp and tender leaves with Batavian Lettuce 'Canasta', a traditional variety known for its red-tinted, crinkled heads and excellent bolt resistance. This semi-heading lettuce produces large, crunchy leaves with a mild, sweet flavor, perfect for fresh salads or as a base for summer dishes. Hardy and versatile, 'Canasta' thrives even in warmer weather, making it a reliable choice for gardeners.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors from February to April or directly outdoors from March to July
. Sow thinly, 0.5 cm deep, in rows 25–30 cm apart
. Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart to allow full head development
. Prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil
. Water consistently to prevent bitterness and promote tender leaves

Key Features

. Traditional Batavian lettuce with semi-heading form
. Large, crisp leaves with red-tinged edges
. Mild, sweet flavor perfect for fresh salads
. Excellent bolt resistance in warm conditions
. Easy to grow and high yielding

Ideal For

. Summer salads and fresh eating
. Home gardens and allotments
. Gardeners seeking heat-tolerant lettuce
. Companion planting in vegetable beds

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: February – July
. Harvest: May – September

Quick Tip

Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continuous growth, or allow full heads to form for a crunchy centerpiece lettuce.

French Mixed Salad – 1000 Seeds (Lactuca sativa)

French Mixed Salad is a versatile, easy-to-grow lettuce mix ideal for fresh, homegrown salads. This collection offers a variety of leaf shapes, colors, and textures, creating a visually appealing and flavorful mix for everyday meals. Fast-growing and tender, it is perfect for cutting and continual harvests throughout the season.

Key Features

• Variety: Mixed leaf types and colors

• Growth Habit: Loose-leaf, fast-growing

• Maturity: 40–60 days

• Flavor: Mild, tender, and crisp

• Use: Fresh salads, garnishes, and sandwiches

• Harvest: Cut-and-come-again for continuous picking

Ideal For

• Home vegetable gardens

• Container and balcony growing

• Continuous harvest for fresh salads

• Mixed salad bowls and culinary use

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–August

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 15–20 cm

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil

• Care: Keep soil consistently moist for tender leaves

Strawberry Stick – Seeds

(Chenopodium foliosum)

Strawberry Stick is a unique annual plant grown for its bright red, strawberry-like seeds. These edible seeds are not only nutritious but also add a decorative touch to gardens. Its upright, bushy habit makes it perfect for borders, vegetable gardens, and ornamental planting. Easy to grow and drought-tolerant, it’s both practical and attractive.

Why Grow Strawberry Stick?

• Bright red, edible seeds

• Attractive upright, bushy foliage

• Nutritious and ornamental

• Easy to grow and drought-tolerant

Key Features

• Type: Annual

• Height: 50–80 cm

• Flowers: Summer

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, fertile

Ideal For

• Vegetable gardens and edible landscaping

• Borders and ornamental plantings

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Low-maintenance garden displays

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in seed trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May in prepared soil

• Germination: 10–14 days at 18–20°C

• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart

• Care: Moderate watering; remove weeds for best growth

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.

Carrot ‘Chantenay’ – Seeds

(Daucus carota)

Carrot ‘Chantenay’ is a classic, reliable variety producing short, broad, conical roots with a rich orange color and sweet, crisp flavor. Ideal for heavy or shallow soils, this variety performs well where longer carrots might struggle. Perfect for fresh eating, juicing, or roasting, ‘Chantenay’ carrots are a trusted favorite for gardeners and cooks alike.

Key Features

• Type: Maincrop carrot

• Root Shape: Short, conical

• Color: Deep orange

• Flavor: Sweet, tender, and full-bodied

• Days to Maturity: 70–85 days

• Soil Tolerance: Performs well in heavier or shallow soils

Ideal For

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

• Containers and raised beds

• Fresh use, cooking, and juicing

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March – July

• Harvest: June – October

• Spacing: Thin to 5–8 cm apart

• Depth: 1 cm

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Loose, well-drained, stone-free

Care Tips

• Keep soil moist for even germination.

• Thin seedlings early to avoid crowding.

• Avoid fresh manure to prevent root forking.

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.