Sow in June

Dwarf Spearmint – Seeds (Mentha spicata)

The Dwarf Spearmint is a compact and aromatic herb, prized for its refreshing flavor and versatility. With its smaller, bushy growth habit, it’s perfect for container gardening, herb borders, and kitchen windowsills. Its bright green leaves bring a cool, sweet taste to teas, salads, desserts, and savory dishes, while also offering natural health benefits.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors in early spring or directly outdoors after frost.

• Scatter seeds thinly on the surface of moist soil and lightly press down.

• Keep in a sunny to partly shaded spot with regular watering.

• Harvest young leaves as needed to encourage fresh growth.

Key Features

• Compact, bushy spearmint variety

• Refreshing sweet-mint flavor

• Excellent for containers, windowsills, and small spaces

• Perennial herb with continuous harvests

• Culinary and medicinal uses

Ideal For

• Fresh teas, cocktails, and infused water

• Salads, sauces, and desserts

• Small gardens, pots, and indoor growing

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to June

• Harvest: May onwards, throughout the season

Quick Tip

• Regular trimming keeps plants compact and prevents them from spreading too aggressively.

St. John’s Wort – Seeds (Hypericum perforatum)

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a hardy perennial herb known for its bright yellow star-shaped flowers and long history of use in traditional herbal medicine. It grows easily in gardens, meadows, or wildflower plantings, attracting pollinators while adding natural beauty.

Often valued for its ornamental and herbal qualities, St. John’s Wort thrives in poor soils and sunny locations, making it a low-maintenance addition to cottage gardens and naturalized landscapes.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Sow outdoors: April – June, or autumn for natural stratification

• Depth: Surface sow – seeds need light to germinate

• Spacing: 30 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile, sandy or rocky soils

Key Features

• Perennial herb with golden yellow, star-shaped blooms

• Attracts bees and pollinators

• Grows well in poor, dry soils – low maintenance

• Suitable for borders, meadows, and herb gardens

• Traditional herb, long valued in folklore and medicine

Flowering & Harvest

• Flowering time: June – September

• Blooms can be collected at peak flowering if used for herbal purposes.

Moldavian Dragonhead – Seeds (Dracocephalum moldavica)

The Moldavian Dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica) is a fragrant annual herb admired for its violet-blue flowers and aromatic lemon-scented foliage. Highly attractive to bees and butterflies, it makes a charming addition to herb gardens, borders, and pollinator-friendly spaces. Its leaves are sometimes used for teas with a refreshing citrus flavor.

Why Grow Moldavian Dragonhead?

• Violet-blue blooms with a pleasant lemon fragrance

• Excellent for pollinators, especially bees

• Easy to grow and low maintenance

• Useful as an ornamental and herbal plant

Ideal For

• Herb gardens

• Pollinator-friendly plantings

• Borders and cottage gardens

• Aromatic tea lovers

Key Features

• Type: Annual herb

• Height: 40–60 cm

• Spread: 20–30 cm

• Flowering: June–August

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Light, well-drained

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: March–April, lightly cover seeds

• Germination: 7–14 days at 18–22°C

• Transplant outdoors: After frost risk has passed

• Direct sow outdoors: April–May

• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart

Tip: Regular deadheading encourages longer flowering and stronger aroma.

🎃 Cucurbita maxima Winter Squash ‘Burgess Buttercup’ – Sweet, Dense, Nutty Flesh with Excellent Winter Storage

‘Burgess Buttercup’ is a classic heirloom winter squash producing dark green, turban-shaped fruits with a distinctive grey “button” on top. The rich orange flesh is exceptionally sweet, dense, smooth and nutty, making it one of the best varieties for roasting, soups, mashing, and baking. Each fruit typically weighs 1.5–2.5 kg (3–5 lb) and stores extremely well through winter. Vigorous vines produce reliable yields and thrive in warm, sunny positions.

Key Features

● Exceptionally sweet, dense, nutty orange flesh

● Excellent winter storage variety

● Vigorous vines with high productivity

● Ideal for roasting, soups, baking, and purées

How to Sow & Grow Winter Squash ‘Burgess Buttercup’ (Cucurbita maxima) – UK

Sow indoors: IV–V (April–May) in pots

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

Direct outdoors: V–VI (May–June) in warm, prepared 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

Soil type: Rich, fertile, moisture-retentive soil

Plant spacing: 1.5–2 m (5–6.5 ft)

Vine length: 2–3 m (6.5–10 ft)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Start indoors for earlier fruit set, especially in cooler regions.

● Mulch generously to retain moisture and support large fruits.

● Feed regularly once vines begin running.

● Harvest when rind hardens and the stem becomes corky.

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

Special Features

● Outstanding winter keeper with rich gourmet flavour

● Dense, dry flesh perfect for roasting and baking

Sorrel 'Bloody Dock' – Seeds (Rumex sanguineus)

Sorrel 'Bloody Dock' is a striking perennial herb known for its vibrant red-veined leaves and tangy, lemony flavor. Perfect for salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes, it adds both visual appeal and a refreshing zest to culinary creations.

Easy to grow and hardy, this variety thrives in garden beds, borders, or containers, providing both ornamental beauty and flavorful leaves throughout the growing season.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: March – June

• Plant spacing: 20–25 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil

• Care: Water regularly; remove older leaves to encourage new growth

Key Features

• Perennial herb with striking red-veined leaves

• Tangy, lemony flavor perfect for salads, soups, and sauces

• Hardy and easy to grow

• Suitable for garden beds, borders, or containers

• Adds both ornamental and culinary value

Harvest

• Harvesting period: 50–70 days after sowing

• Pick young leaves regularly for the best flavor and tender texture.

Short Tip

Harvest leaves from the outer edges to encourage continuous growth and maintain vibrant color.

🌿 Ipomoea pennata (syn. Quamoclit pennata) – Cypress Vine | Delicate Fern-Like Foliage with Starry Scarlet Flowers

Ipomoea pennata, commonly known as Cypress Vine or Quamoclit, is a fast-growing annual climbing plant admired for its fine, fern-like foliage and masses of small, star-shaped flowers, most often in vivid scarlet red. Blooming throughout summer, it creates a light, airy screen on trellises, fences, pergolas, and obelisks. Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, this elegant climber adds movement and colour to sunny gardens.

Key Features

● Fast-growing annual climber

● Delicate, feathery foliage with airy appearance

● Abundant star-shaped scarlet flowers

● Excellent for trellises, fences and pergolas

● Strong pollinator attraction

How to Sow & Grow Cypress Vine (UK)

Sow indoors: III–IV (March–April) in pots

Transplant outdoors: V–VI (May–June) once frost risk has passed

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

Flowering: VII–IX (July–September)

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

Average germ time: 7–14 days

Depth: 1 cm (½ in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Moderate; keep evenly moist

Environment: Full sun

Soil type: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

Plant spacing: 20–30 cm (8–12 in)

Climbing height: 2–3 m (6.5–10 ft)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Soak seeds overnight before sowing to improve germination.

● Provide supports early — plants climb quickly.

● Thrives in warm, sheltered positions.

● Avoid overfeeding to prevent excess foliage.

● Ideal for creating light summer screens and vertical interest.

Special Features

● Graceful, fern-like foliage unlike typical morning glories

● Long flowering season with vibrant colour

● Perfect for vertical gardening in sunny locations

Summer Savory 'Midget' – Seeds (Satureja hortensis)

Summer Savory ‘Midget’ is a compact, fast-growing annual herb, prized for its spicy, peppery flavour that resembles thyme and oregano. This dwarf variety is especially suited for container growing, raised beds, and small herb gardens.

Traditionally used to season bean dishes, meats, soups, and stews, it is also excellent fresh or dried as a versatile culinary herb. With its neat, bushy growth habit and aromatic leaves, ‘Midget’ is both decorative and useful in the kitchen.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – April in pots or trays

• Sow outdoors: April – June, directly into prepared soil

• Depth: Lightly cover seeds with soil (approx. 0.5 cm)

• Spacing: 20–25 cm between plants

• Position: Sunny, well-drained spot

• Soil: Light, sandy, moderately fertile

Key Features

• Compact dwarf variety – ideal for pots and small spaces

• Distinct peppery flavour – a classic bean seasoning

• Culinary herb for meats, stews, soups, and sauces

• Can be used fresh or dried

• Hardy, quick-growing, and easy to maintain

Harvesting

• Harvest from: June – September

• Pick fresh leaves regularly to encourage new growth.

• For winter use, cut and dry whole sprigs just before flowering.