Sow in May

Winter Leek Elephant - 400 seeds (Allium porrum)

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£1.24

Fennel ‘Common’ – 450 Seeds (Foeniculum vulgare)

(0)

£1.14

Oil Squash Olga Pumpkin - 10 seeds (Cucurbita Pepo)

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£1.24

Squash Queensland Blue - 5 seeds - Pumpkin Vegetable seeds

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£1.30

Cucurbita maxima 'Queensland Blue'

Traditional Australian winter squash with sweet orange flesh and distinctive blue-grey skin

Cucurbita maxima 'Queensland Blue' is a traditional Australian winter squash producing impressive, deeply ribbed fruits with distinctive slate-blue to blue-grey skin and rich orange flesh. The dense flesh has an excellent sweet, rich flavour and is particularly well suited to roasting, baking, soups and other autumn and winter dishes.

A vigorous trailing variety, Queensland Blue produces substantial fruits with excellent keeping qualities when allowed to mature fully and properly cured after harvest. Plants thrive in rich soil and a warm, sunny position, making this an excellent choice for allotments and productive kitchen gardens where there is plenty of space for the vigorous vines.

Why You'll Love It

● Distinctive deeply ribbed, slate-blue to blue-grey fruits

● Dense, sweet orange flesh with excellent culinary quality

● Superb winter squash for roasting, baking and soups

● Excellent storage qualities after proper curing

● Traditional Australian heritage variety

Ideal For

● Kitchen gardens

● Allotments

● Autumn and winter cooking

● Growing vegetables for storage

● Large sunny vegetable beds

How to Sow & Grow (UK)

Sow indoors: April–May, individually in pots

Plant out: June, after hardening off and once all risk of frost has passed

Direct outdoors: May–June, after the last frost and once the soil has warmed

Harvest: September–October, before the first frost

Life cycle: Frost-tender annual

Germination temperature: 18–25°C (64–77°F)

Average germination time: 5–10 days

Depth: 15–20 mm (½–¾ in); sow seeds on their side and cover with compost

Light required: No – seeds are covered for germination

Moisture: Keep compost evenly moist during germination; water regularly during active growth and fruit development

Environment: Full sun in a warm, sheltered position

Soil type: Rich, fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil

Plant spacing: 90–120 cm (3–4 ft)

Mature spread: 2.5–3 m+ (8–10 ft+) trailing vines

Expert Growing Tips

● Sow seeds individually in pots and place them on their side approximately 1.5–2 cm deep, reducing unnecessary root disturbance before planting out.

● Prepare the final planting position with plenty of well-rotted organic matter, as Queensland Blue is a vigorous, hungry crop that performs best in fertile soil.

● Water deeply and consistently during flowering and fruit development, directing water towards the soil rather than over the foliage.

● Raise developing fruits slightly off damp soil using a board, tile or similar dry surface to reduce prolonged contact with wet ground.

● Harvest mature fruits with a section of stalk attached and cure them before storage; fully matured Queensland Blue is particularly valued for its excellent keeping qualities.

Courgette 'Stiato d'Italia' - 15 seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

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£1.24

Indian corn 'Flint' - 35 seeds (Zea mays)

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£1.35

Zea mays 'Multicolor Hybrids'

Spectacular ornamental corn with brilliantly coloured decorative cobs

Zea mays 'Multicolor Hybrids' is a spectacular ornamental corn grown for its highly decorative cobs packed with brilliantly coloured kernels. Each cob develops its own distinctive combination of colours, including shades of red, orange, yellow, blue, purple and cream, creating an impressive mosaic effect that becomes especially striking as the cobs mature and dry.

Growing to approximately 150 cm tall, the strong upright plants also add valuable height and structure to summer borders. The colourful cobs mature towards autumn and are particularly prized for harvest decorations, dried arrangements, wreaths and seasonal crafts. Once properly dried, they retain their rich colours for a long-lasting natural display.

Why You'll Love It

● Spectacular multicoloured cobs with uniquely patterned kernels

● Rich mixture of red, orange, yellow, blue, purple and cream shades

● Excellent for drying and long-lasting autumn decorations

● Tall upright plants add dramatic structure to summer borders

● Every mature cob develops its own distinctive combination of colours

Ideal For

● Autumn and harvest decorations

● Dried flower arrangements

● Wreaths and seasonal crafts

● Tall sunny borders

● Natural table displays and centrepieces

How to Sow & Grow (UK)

Sow indoors: April–May

Plant out: May–June, after hardening off and once all risk of frost has passed

Direct outdoors: May–June, once the soil has warmed

Harvest: September–October, when cobs are fully mature and kernels have hardened

Life cycle: Frost-tender annual

Germination temperature: 18–21°C (65–70°F)

Average germination time: 7–14 days

Depth: Sow approximately 25 mm (1 in) deep and cover with compost or soil

Light required: No – seeds are covered for germination

Moisture: Keep compost evenly moist during germination; water regularly during active growth and cob development

Environment: Full sun in a warm, sheltered position

Soil type: Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil enriched with organic matter

Plant spacing: Approximately 30–45 cm (12–18 in)

Mature height: Approximately 150 cm (5 ft)

Expert Growing Tips

● Sow seeds individually in deep pots or modules when starting indoors to minimise root disturbance when planting out.

● Plant ornamental corn in a block rather than one long single row. Corn is wind-pollinated, and group planting helps ensure good pollination and well-filled decorative cobs.

● Choose the warmest, sunniest and most sheltered position available, as corn needs plenty of warmth and sunshine to mature its cobs successfully.

● Water consistently once plants are actively growing, paying particular attention during flowering and cob development.

● For dried decorations, allow the cobs to mature fully until the kernels become hard, then harvest and dry them thoroughly in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place.