Sow in July

French Bean 'Ibiza' – Seeds (Phaseolus vulgaris)

The French Bean 'Ibiza' is a high-yielding, reliable variety producing straight, slender pods with excellent flavor and texture. Perfect for picking young and tender, these beans are stringless, smooth, and packed with vitamins, making them a staple for summer gardens. Suitable for outdoor growing or in polytunnels, this variety is loved by gardeners for its productivity and long harvest window.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors from April for planting out after frost, or sow direct outdoors from May to July.

• Sow seeds 4–5 cm deep, spacing 15 cm apart, in rows 40–50 cm apart.

• Prefers well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny, sheltered spot.

• Water regularly, especially in dry spells.

• Pick pods regularly to encourage continuous cropping.

Key Features

• Straight, stringless pods with excellent taste

• Heavy cropping, long harvest season

• Rich in vitamins A, C, and K

• Suitable for fresh use or freezing

• Compact habit, ideal for small gardens or allotments

Ideal For

• Steaming, boiling, and stir-frying

• Freezing for later use

• Companion planting in vegetable gardens

• Garden beds, raised beds, or containers

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: April to July

• Depth: 4–5 cm

• Spacing: 15 cm apart, 40–50 cm between rows

• Harvest: July to September

Quick Tip

• Harvest pods while young and tender for the best flavor. Regular picking boosts yield.

Cucumber 'Marketmore' – Seeds (Cucumis sativus)

Cucumber 'Marketmore' is a classic, reliable outdoor cucumber variety producing dark green, smooth-skinned fruits with crisp texture and excellent flavor. Highly productive and resistant to common diseases, it is perfect for slicing, salads, and fresh eating. Vigorous and easy to grow, ‘Marketmore’ is a favorite among both beginners and experienced gardeners.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: April – May in pots or trays.

• Transplant outdoors: After last frost into a sunny, sheltered spot.

• Sow direct outdoors: May – June, once soil is warm.

• Spacing: 45–60 cm apart in rows or beds.

• Provide regular watering and mulch to keep soil moist.

Key Features

• Classic slicing cucumber variety

• Smooth, dark green, uniform fruits

• Crisp, refreshing flavor

• Heavy cropping and reliable yields

• Resistant to common cucumber diseases

Ideal For

• Outdoor vegetable plots and raised beds

• Fresh summer salads and sandwiches

• Gardeners seeking a tried-and-true cucumber variety

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: April – June

• Harvest: July – September

Quick Tip

Pick fruits regularly to encourage continuous production. Avoid letting cucumbers grow too large for the best taste and texture.

Courgette 'Astra Polka' Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

Add a splash of color to your vegetable patch with Courgette 'Astra Polka', a prolific and compact variety producing golden-yellow fruits. This reliable courgette has a mild, sweet flavor and tender flesh, making it perfect for grilling, stir-fries, or summer salads. Its vibrant fruits stand out both in the garden and the kitchen.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors in April–May or directly outdoors after frost.

• Use rich, well-drained soil in full sun.

• Sow 2–3 seeds 2 cm deep in pots or stations.

• Thin to one strong plant per station, spacing 60–80 cm apart.

• Harvest young fruits regularly to encourage continuous production.

Key Features

• Compact, high-yielding variety

• Attractive golden-yellow courgettes

• Mild, sweet flavor with tender texture

• Perfect for grilling, roasting, stir-fries, and salads

• Heavy and reliable cropper all season

Ideal For

• Home gardeners with limited space

• Garden-to-table cooking

• Summer dishes and fresh eating

• Adding color to both plate and harvest basket

Sowing

• Best time: April to June

• Depth: 2 cm

• Spacing: 60–80 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun, fertile soil

• Harvest: From July onwards

Quick Tip

• Pick fruits when small (10–15 cm) for the best flavor and to keep plants producing abundantly.

Cauliflower ‘All The Year Round’ – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Description:
Enjoy reliable harvests with Cauliflower ‘All The Year Round’ (Brassica oleracea), a versatile and hardy variety suitable for spring, summer, and autumn cropping. It produces compact, white heads with excellent flavor and texture, ideal for steaming, roasting, or use in soups and casseroles. Easy to grow from seed, this dependable cauliflower performs well in most soils and weather conditions, making it perfect for home gardens and allotments.

Key Features

• Reliable, hardy variety for multiple seasons

• Compact, firm white curds with great flavor

• Suitable for spring, summer, and autumn harvests

• Tolerant of varying weather conditions

• Easy to grow from seed

Ideal For

• Home and kitchen gardens

• Allotments and vegetable plots

• Fresh cooking, freezing, and preserving

• Year-round vegetable production

Sowing & Growing

• Sow Indoors: January–April

• Sow Outdoors: March–June

• Transplant Outdoors: April–July

• Germination: 7–14 days at 15–20°C

• Spacing: 45–60 cm apart

• Light: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, firm, well-drained

Care Tips

• Water regularly, especially during dry periods

• Protect young plants from pests and frost

• Add compost or organic matter before planting

• Harvest when heads are firm and white

Cauliflower 'Octavian' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Cauliflower 'Octavian' is a reliable mid-season variety producing large, firm, creamy-white heads with a mild, delicate flavor. Ideal for steaming, roasting, soups, and gratins, it is a versatile addition to any vegetable garden.

This hardy variety performs well in a range of soils, offers excellent disease resistance, and is suitable for home gardens, allotments, and small-scale cultivation.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Transplant outdoors: April – June

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 40–50 cm between plants, rows 60–70 cm apart

• Position: Full sun, sheltered from strong winds

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

• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist for optimal head development

Key Features

• Mid-season cauliflower with large, firm, creamy-white heads

• Mild, tender flavor suitable for steaming, roasting, soups, and gratins

• High-yielding and reliable growth

• Excellent disease resistance

• Ideal for home gardens, allotments, and small-scale cultivation

Harvest

• Harvesting period: July – September

• Harvest heads when compact and firm to ensure the best flavor and texture.

Short Tip

Blanch the heads by folding outer leaves over them to maintain whiteness and protect from sunburn.

Carrot "Cosmic Purple" – Seeds (Daucus carota) Heirloom

Carrot 'Cosmic Purple' is a stunning heirloom variety known for its vibrant deep purple skin and bright orange interior. Sweet, crisp, and visually striking, it’s perfect for salads, roasting, or fresh snacking. This unique carrot adds color and flavor to your garden and kitchen alike.

Adaptable and easy to grow, it thrives in home gardens, raised beds, or containers, producing tender roots with a distinctive appearance.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: March – July

• Plant spacing: 5–8 cm between seedlings

• Row spacing: 25–30 cm

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Loose, deep, well-drained soil free of stones

• Care: Keep soil moist; thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding

Key Features

• Heirloom carrot with deep purple skin and orange core

• Sweet, crisp flavor suitable for salads, roasting, and snacking

• Easy to grow in gardens, raised beds, or containers

• Unique and colorful addition to vegetable gardens

• Open-pollinated, maintaining true-to-type characteristics

Harvest

• Harvesting period: 70–80 days after sowing

• Harvest when roots are tender and fully colored for the best flavor.

Short Tip

Thin seedlings early and harvest consistently to encourage straight, uniform roots with rich color.

Beetroot 'Chioggia' – Seeds

(Beta vulgaris) – Traditional Italian Heirloom with Striking Rings

Beetroot 'Chioggia' is a famous Italian heirloom variety known for its stunning candy-striped flesh, with alternating pink and white rings. Sweet, mild, and tender, it’s perfect for eating raw in salads to show off its striking appearance, or cooked for a softer, delicate flavor. Easy to grow and quick to mature, it adds both beauty and taste to the garden and kitchen.

Key Features

• Type: Biennial root crop, grown as annual

• Roots: Round, medium-sized with concentric pink and white rings

• Flavor: Sweet, mild, tender texture

• Harvest: Summer to autumn

• Use: Salads, roasting, pickling, juicing

Ideal For

• Unique and decorative salads

• Traditional and gourmet cooking

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

• Beginner-friendly vegetable growing

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–July, thin seedlings as they grow.

• Spacing: 10 cm between plants, 30 cm between rows.

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

• Sunlight: Full sun for best development.

• Harvest: June–October, when roots reach 5–7 cm in diameter.

Care Tips

• Keep soil moist for tender, juicy roots.

• Thin seedlings early to prevent overcrowding.

• Harvest young for best flavor and color.

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.