Sow in April

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.

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

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.

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

Savoy Cabbage 'Rocket' – Seeds

(Brassica oleracea) – Crisp, Crinkled Leaves & Fast Growth

Savoy Cabbage 'Rocket' is a vigorous, early-maturing variety prized for its tender, crinkled dark-green leaves and compact, dense heads. It delivers a mild, sweet flavor and is ideal for fresh salads, cooking, and steaming. Perfect for home gardens and small-scale cultivation.

Key Features

• Type: Biennial, grown as annual

• Heads: Medium-sized, dense, crinkled dark-green leaves

• Flavor: Mild, sweet, tender

• Harvest: Early to mid-season

• Use: Salads, cooking, steaming, stir-fries, freezing

Ideal For

• Home gardens and allotments

• Early harvest for fresh culinary use

• Succession planting for continuous supply

• Gourmet cooking and healthy meals

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April for transplanting.

• Sow outdoors: March–May for summer harvest.

• Spacing: 45–50 cm between plants, 60–70 cm between rows.

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

• Sunlight: Full sun for best growth.

• Harvest: When heads are firm and well-formed.

Care Tips

• Keep soil consistently moist to prevent splitting.

• Protect seedlings from cabbage root fly and caterpillars.

• Fertilize moderately for dense heads.

🌿 Foeniculum vulgare Common Fennel – Aromatic Herb with Feathery Foliage and Edible Seeds

Common Fennel is a classic aromatic perennial herb grown for its feathery, blue-green foliage, yellow umbel flowers, and highly fragrant seeds. With a distinctive sweet aniseed flavour, it is valued in both culinary and medicinal use. The leaves, seeds and young stems are all edible, while the tall, elegant plants add structure to herb gardens, borders and wildlife-friendly plantings.

Key Features

● Aromatic herb with sweet aniseed flavour

● Feathery blue-green foliage and yellow flowers

● Edible leaves and seeds for cooking and teas

● Attractive to bees and beneficial insects

● Decorative and useful herb for gardens

How to Sow & Grow Common Fennel (UK)

Direct sowing recommended – dislikes transplanting

Direct outdoors: IV–VI (April–June)

Harvest: VI–IX (June–September) for leaves, later for seeds

Life cycle: Perennial (often grown as a short-lived perennial or annual)

Germination temperature: 15–20 °C (59–68 °F)

Average germ time: 7–14 days

Depth: 0.5–1 cm (¼–½ in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established

Environment: Full sun

Soil type: Well-drained, light soil

Plant spacing: 30–40 cm (12–16 in)

Height: 120–180 cm (47–71 in)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Choose a permanent position, as fennel dislikes root disturbance.

● Avoid planting near dill or coriander to prevent cross-pollination.

● Cut leaves regularly to encourage fresh growth.

● Allow flowers to set seed for culinary or herbal use.

● Very low maintenance once established.

Special Features

● Classic culinary and medicinal herb

● Tall, elegant growth with ornamental value

● Excellent pollinator plant

🧅 Allium cepa Onion ‘Paris Silverskin’ – Classic Small White Pickling Onion with Mild, Sweet Flavour

‘Paris Silverskin’ is a traditional, fast-maturing white onion variety grown especially for small, perfectly round pickling onions. The smooth, silver-white skins and mild, sweet flavour make it ideal for pickling, cocktails, salads, and garnishes. This reliable, early type produces uniform bulbs and is excellent for both kitchen gardens and commercial-style production. Also, suitable for growing as spring onions when harvested young.

Key Features

● Classic small white pickling onion

● Smooth, silvery-white skins and mild flavour

● Early and uniform bulbs

● Suitable for pickling or harvesting young as spring onions

● Reliable, productive variety for beds and containers

How to Sow & Grow Onion ‘Paris Silverskin’ (UK)

Direct outdoors: III–VII (March–July) in fine, well-prepared soil

Harvest: VII–IX (July–September) for small bulbs; earlier for spring onions

Germination temperature: 10–20 °C (50–68 °F)

Average germ time: 10–21 days

Depth: 1 cm (½ in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged

Environment: Full sun

Soil type: Fertile, well-drained soil; avoid fresh manure

Plant spacing: 2–5 cm (1–2 in) for pickling onions; 10 cm (4 in) for larger bulbs

Height: 30–40 cm (12–16 in)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Thin seedlings early for uniform bulb size.

● Keep beds weed-free — onions dislike competition.

● Water consistently during early growth, less once bulbs swell.

● Harvest when tops fall over and skins begin to dry.

● Excellent for succession sowing for continuous supply.

Special Features

● Perfect for traditional pickled onions

● Early, uniform and ideal for small-space gardens

● Can also be used as spring onions when harvested young

Sweet Pepper ‘Poupila’ – 50 Seeds (Capsicum annuum)

Sweet Pepper ‘Poupila’ is a high-yielding, early-maturing variety producing medium-sized, glossy red peppers. Known for its sweet, mild flavor, this versatile pepper is perfect for fresh salads, roasting, stuffing, or cooking. Compact and robust, it thrives in sunny gardens or containers, making it ideal for both beginner and experienced gardeners.

Key Features

• Fruit Color: Red when mature

• Flavor: Sweet, mild, crisp

• Growth Habit: Compact and bushy

• Days to Maturity: 60–70 days

• Use: Fresh, cooked, roasted, or stuffed

• Yield: Heavy and consistent

Ideal For

• Garden beds and containers

• Fresh eating and culinary use

• Small-space or balcony gardens

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April

• Transplant outdoors: After last frost

• Spacing: 30–40 cm

• Position: Full sun, fertile well-drained soil

• Care: Water regularly; remove side shoots to encourage larger fruit