Sow in April

Brussel Sprout 'Casiopea' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

The Brussel Sprout 'Casiopea' is a high-yielding variety producing uniform, medium-sized sprouts with firm, dense heads and excellent flavor. Known for its reliable growth and resistance to bolting, it thrives in cooler weather, making it ideal for autumn and winter harvests. Perfect for roasting, steaming, or sautéing, this variety is a favorite for home gardens and allotments.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors from February to March or directly outdoors from March to April.

• Plant 1–2 cm deep in trays or modules and transplant when seedlings are strong.

• Space plants 50–60 cm apart in fertile, well-drained soil with full sun.

• Support plants if needed, and maintain regular watering.

• Harvest sprouts from the base upwards as they mature.

Key Features

• High-yielding, uniform sprouts

• Firm, dense heads with excellent flavor

• Resistant to bolting and suited for cooler weather

• Ideal for autumn and winter harvests

• Versatile for roasting, steaming, and sautéing

Ideal For

• Autumn and winter vegetable gardens

• Roasting, steaming, or sautéing

• Home gardeners seeking reliable, flavorful sprouts

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February to April

• Spacing: 50–60 cm between plants

• Harvest: September to December

Quick Tip

• For sweeter sprouts, leave them on the plant until after a light frost—it enhances flavor and texture.

🥕 Beta vulgaris ‘Burpee’s Golden’ – Vibrant Golden Beetroot with Sweet, Mild Flavour

‘Burpee’s Golden’ is a distinctive heirloom beetroot variety producing rich golden-orange roots with a sweet, mild flavour and smooth, tender texture. Unlike red beets, it does not bleed when sliced or cooked, making it ideal for colourful salads, roasting, pickling, and gourmet dishes. The attractive green tops are also excellent as spinach-like greens. Fast-growing and reliable, this variety performs well in beds, raised beds, and containers.

Key Features

● Golden-orange roots with sweet, mild flavour

● Does not bleed when cut or cooked

● Smooth, tender texture ideal for roasting and salads

● Edible green tops, nutritious and versatile

● Fast-growing and suitable for beds or containers

How to Sow & Grow Beetroot ‘Burpee’s Golden’ (UK)

Direct outdoors: III–VII (March–July)

Harvest: VI–X (June–October)

Germination temperature: 8–25 °C (46–77 °F)

Average germ time: 7–14 days

Depth: 2–3 cm (¾–1¼ in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Keep soil evenly moist

Environment: Full sun

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

Plant spacing: 10 cm (4 in) between plants; 25–30 cm (10–12 in) between rows

Height: 25–35 cm (10–14 in)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Thin seedlings early — each seed cluster may contain multiple seeds.

● Harvest young for the sweetest, tender roots.

● Water regularly to avoid woody or tough roots.

● Leaves can be harvested young as nutritious greens.

● Successive sowings ensure continuous cropping.

Cucurbita pepo ‘Early Summer Crookneck’ – Classic Early Summer Squash with Tender Yellow Fruits

‘Early Summer Crookneck’ is a traditional summer squash variety valued for its bright yellow fruits with a distinctive curved neck and smooth to lightly textured skin. Harvested young, the squash has tender, mild-flavoured flesh, ideal for sautéing, grilling, roasting and stuffing. This variety is early to mature, highly productive, and dependable in warm conditions, making it a staple for home gardens and allotments.

Key Features

● Early-maturing summer squash variety

● Bright yellow fruits with characteristic curved neck

● Best harvested young for tender texture

● High-yielding and reliable producer

● Excellent for a wide range of culinary uses

How to Sow & Grow Squash ‘Early Summer Crookneck’ (UK)

Sow indoors: IV (April)

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

Direct outdoors: V–VI (May–June) once soil is warm

Harvest: VI–IX (June–September)

Life cycle: Annual

Germination temperature: 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)

Average germ time: 7–10 days

Depth: 2–3 cm (1 in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Regular watering, especially during fruiting

Environment: Full sun

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

Plant spacing: 80–100 cm (2.5–3 ft)

Growth habit: Bush type

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Harvest fruits at 10–15 cm (4–6 in) for best flavour.

● Pick regularly to encourage continuous production.

● Avoid letting fruits grow oversized, which reduces quality.

● Feed and water consistently during peak growth.

● Bush habit makes plants easy to manage in smaller spaces.

Special Features

● Classic heirloom summer squash

● Fast-growing with extended harvest period

● Ideal for fresh summer cooking

Onion Tosca – 80 Seeds (Allium cepa)

Description:
Grow flavorful, versatile onions with Onion Tosca (Allium cepa). This high-quality variety produces medium-sized, firm bulbs with a mild, slightly sweet taste. Ideal for salads, cooking, and pickling, Tosca onions are easy to grow from seed and suitable for kitchen gardens, raised beds, and allotments. Resistant to common diseases, they offer reliable harvests throughout the season.

Key Features

• Medium-sized, firm bulbs with mild, sweet flavor

• Suitable for salads, cooking, and pickling

• Disease-resistant and reliable variety

• Easy to grow from seed

• Ideal for home and small-scale gardens

Ideal For

• Kitchen gardens and raised beds

• Culinary use: raw, cooked, or pickled

• Allotments and small vegetable plots

• Home gardeners seeking reliable onions

Sowing & Growing

• Sow Indoors: February–March

• Transplant Outdoors: April–May, after frost

• Germination: 10–14 days at 15–20°C

• Spacing: 10–15 cm apart in rows 25–30 cm apart

• Height: 30–40 cm

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained, rich in organic matter

Care Tips

• Water regularly but avoid waterlogging

• Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding

• Fertilize lightly during growth

• Harvest when bulbs are firm and tops begin to yellow

Fennel Bulb 'Florence' – Seeds (Foeniculum vulgare)

Fennel Bulb 'Florence' is a versatile and flavorful vegetable producing crisp, swollen white bulbs with tender, aromatic fronds. Known for its sweet, anise-like flavor, it’s perfect for roasting, grilling, salads, and soups. Easy to grow, this variety thrives in sunny, well-drained gardens and makes a striking addition to both kitchen and ornamental beds.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors from February to April or directly outdoors from March to June.

• Plant 0.5–1 cm deep in fertile, well-drained soil.

• Thin seedlings to 30–40 cm apart to allow bulb development.

• Prefers full sun and consistent moisture.

• Harvest bulbs when swollen and firm, before they become woody.

Key Features

• Produces crisp, swollen white bulbs with aromatic fronds

• Sweet, anise-like flavor ideal for cooking

• Thrives in sunny, well-drained soil

• Suitable for salads, roasting, grilling, and soups

• Attractive addition to vegetable and kitchen gardens

Ideal For

• Culinary use in fresh salads, soups, and roasting

• Home gardens and raised beds

• Gardeners seeking versatile, flavorful vegetables

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February to June

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 30–40 cm

• Harvest: June to September

Quick Tip

• For best flavor, harvest bulbs before they get too large and the texture becomes tough.

🥬 Brassica oleracea Capitata Group ‘Greyhound’ – Early Summer Cabbage

‘Greyhound’ is a reliable, fast-maturing early cabbage variety producing compact, pointed heads with crisp, tender leaves. Known for its excellent flavour and uniform shape, it is ideal for fresh use, steaming or light cooking.

This vigorous and dependable variety is perfect for early harvests and performs well in UK conditions, making it a favourite among home gardeners.

Key Features

● Early-maturing pointed cabbage

● Compact, dense heads

● Mild, tender flavour

● Reliable and uniform growth

● Ideal for fresh summer harvests

How to Sow & Grow Cabbage ‘Greyhound’ (UK)

Sow indoors: II–III (February–March)

Transplant outdoors: III–IV (March–April)

Sow directly outdoors: III–IV (March–April)

Harvest: VI–VIII (June–August)

Life cycle: Biennial (grown as annual vegetable crop)

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

Average germ time: 7–14 days

Depth: 1 cm (½ in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Keep soil consistently moist

Environment: Full sun

Soil type: Firm, fertile soil enriched with organic matter

Plant spacing: 30–40 cm (12–16 in)

Height: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)

Growth habit: Compact, pointed head

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Firm soil around plants to support solid head formation.

● Water regularly during dry periods to prevent splitting.

● Protect young plants from cabbage white butterflies with netting.

● Feed with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser during early growth.

● Harvest promptly once heads are firm and well formed.

🎃 Cucurbita maxima ‘True Green Hubbard’ – Classic Heirloom Winter Squash with Sweet, Fine-Grained Flesh

‘True Green Hubbard’ is a beloved heirloom winter squash known for its large, teardrop-shaped fruits, deep green, bumpy skin, and exceptionally sweet, fine-textured orange flesh. Fruits typically reach 4–7 kg, storing extremely well through winter while maintaining their rich flavour. Ideal for baking, roasting, soups, and purées, this vigorous variety produces strong trailing vines and high yields. A reliable choice for traditional kitchen gardens and allotments.

Key Features

● Large heirloom Hubbard squash with deep green skin

● Sweet, fine-grained orange flesh perfect for roasting and baking

● Excellent long-term storage variety

● Vigorous vines with high yields

● Ideal for home gardens, allotments, and winter cooking

How to Sow & Grow Cucurbita maxima ‘True Green Hubbard’ (UK)

Sow indoors: IV–V (April–May) in pots

Transplant outdoors: V–VI (May–June) after frost danger has passed

Direct outdoors: V–VI (May–June) into warm soil

Harvest: IX–X (September–October)

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

Average germ time: 7–14 days

Depth: 2–3 cm (¾–1¼ in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Keep soil evenly moist

Environment: Full sun; sheltered growing position

Soil type: Rich, fertile, moisture-retentive soil; add compost before planting

Plant spacing: 1.5–2 m (5–6.5 ft) between plants

Vine length: 3–4 m (10–13 ft)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Start indoors for earlier crops; harden off before planting out.

● Mulch generously to conserve moisture and support large fruits.

● Feed regularly once vines begin running.

● Harvest when the rind is hard and stems turn corky.

● Cure fruits in a warm, airy place for 10–14 days to extend storage.

Special Features

● Outstanding long-storage winter squash

● Traditional heirloom with excellent cooking qualities

● Large and productive variety for generous harvests

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.

🥬 Brassica rapa Turnip ‘Milanese’ – Early, Flat White Turnip with Mild, Sweet Flesh

‘Milanese’ is a classic early-maturing turnip variety producing smooth, flat-round roots with creamy white flesh and a mild, slightly sweet flavour. Bred for quick growth and tenderness, it is ideal for spring and summer harvests, either as baby turnips or fully grown roots. The young tops are also edible and delicious when lightly cooked. Reliable and easy to grow, this variety is perfect for kitchen gardens, allotments, and successional sowing.

Key Features

● Early, fast-growing turnip variety

● Flat, smooth roots with mild, sweet flavour

● Excellent eaten young as baby turnips

● Tender white flesh, not woody

● Suitable for spring and summer cropping

How to Sow & Grow Turnip ‘Milanese’ (UK)

Direct outdoors: III–VIII (March–August)

Harvest: V–X (May–October)

Life cycle: Annual

Germination temperature: 8–20 °C (46–68 °F)

Average germ time: 5–10 days

Depth: 1–1.5 cm (½ in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Keep soil evenly moist

Environment: Full sun to partial shade

Soil type: Light, fertile, well-drained soil

Plant spacing: 10–15 cm (4–6 in)

Height: 30–40 cm (12–16 in)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Sow little and often for continuous harvests.

● Harvest young for the sweetest flavour and best texture.

● Avoid drought to prevent strong or woody roots.

● Ideal for cooler parts of the growing season.

● Leaves can be harvested young as nutritious greens.

Special Features

● Traditional Italian turnip variety

● Very quick from sowing to harvest

● Excellent for fresh kitchen use