Sow in September

Onion 'Spanish Sun' Seeds (Allium cepa)

Bring sunshine to your garden with Onion 'Spanish Sun', a reliable, early-maturing variety that produces large, globe-shaped golden bulbs. Known for its mild, sweet flavor and crisp texture, it’s perfect for fresh salads, cooking, or storing. Easy to grow and versatile in the kitchen, this onion is a must-have for every vegetable garden.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors from January to March or directly outdoors from March to April.

• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.

• Sow seeds 1 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 10 cm spacing for full-sized bulbs.

• Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.

Key Features

• Early-maturing, large golden bulbs

• Mild, sweet flavor with crisp texture

• Suitable for fresh use, cooking, or storing

• Reliable variety for consistent yields

• Easy to grow in most garden soils

Ideal For

• Home gardeners and allotments

• Fresh salads, soups, and everyday cooking

• Long-term storage after harvest

• Gardeners seeking early, high-quality onions

Sowing

• Best time: Indoors January–March, outdoors March–April

• Depth: 1 cm

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

• Position: Full sun, well-drained fertile soil

• Harvest: August to September

Quick Tip

• Allow bulbs to fully dry in the sun before storing to extend their shelf life.

Courgette 'Bolognese' – Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

Bring the taste of Italy to your garden with Courgette 'Bolognese', a prolific heirloom variety prized for its slender, dark green fruits and tender, flavorful flesh. Perfect for summer kitchens, these versatile courgettes are ideal for sautéing, grilling, stuffing, and fresh salads. Easy to grow and highly productive, 'Bolognese' is a favorite among gardeners seeking reliable yields and gourmet flavor.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors: March – May, 1–2 cm deep in pots
. Transplant outdoors: After last frost, spacing 70–90 cm apart
. Sow outdoors: May – June in fertile, well-drained soil
. Prefers full sun with regular watering
. Harvest: 15–20 cm long for the best texture and flavor

Key Features

. Italian heirloom zucchini with dark green skin
. Tender, mild-flavored flesh suitable for a variety of dishes
. High-yielding and early-producing variety
. Ideal for sautéing, grilling, stuffing, or salads
. Compact plant suitable for home gardens

Ideal For

. Fresh summer cooking and Italian cuisine
. Home gardeners seeking reliable yields
. Gourmet dishes including stuffed or roasted courgettes
. Small vegetable beds or allotments

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: March – June
. Harvest: June – September

Quick Tip

Pick courgettes when young and slender to ensure the most tender flesh and to encourage continued fruiting.

Cauliflower 'Romanesco Natalino' – Seeds (Brassica oleracea)

Cauliflower ‘Romanesco Natalino’ is an extraordinary Italian heirloom, admired for its striking spiral, lime-green heads with a unique fractal pattern. More than just a showpiece, this variety is nutritious, delicious, and versatile – offering a slightly nutty, delicate flavor that works well roasted, steamed, or enjoyed raw in salads. Highly ornamental yet productive, it’s a standout addition to any vegetable garden.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – May in seed trays or pots.

• Sow outdoors: May – June, directly into well-prepared soil.

• Transplant: Harden off young plants and set them 60 cm apart in fertile ground.

• Position: Full sun, rich, firm soil with good drainage.

• Care: Keep soil consistently moist and protect young plants from pests.

Key Features

• Stunning lime-green spiral florets

• Mild, nutty flavor – more delicate than standard cauliflower

• Traditional Italian variety

• Attractive and productive crop

Ideal For

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

• Chefs and home cooks looking for something unique

• Roasting, steaming, or eating raw

• Eye-catching centerpiece in vegetable beds

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – June

• Harvest: September – November

Quick Tip

For the best curds, ensure consistent watering and feed with a high-potassium fertiliser as heads develop.

Turnip 'Snowball' – Seeds (Brassica rapa)

Grow crisp, tender, and sweet Turnip 'Snowball', a classic variety known for its round, white roots and mild flavor. Ideal for roasting, steaming, or fresh in salads, this easy-to-grow turnip is perfect for home gardens, allotments, and container planting. Quick to mature, it provides a reliable harvest of uniform, flavorful roots throughout the season.

How to Grow

. Sow outdoors: March – July, 1–2 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart
. Thin seedlings to 8–10 cm apart for proper root development
. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
. Keep soil consistently moist for tender, sweet roots
. Harvest: 50–60 days after sowing, when roots are 5–8 cm in diameter

Key Features

. Classic white round turnip with mild, sweet flavor
. Quick-maturing and easy-to-grow
. Ideal for roasting, steaming, or fresh salads
. Produces uniform, tender roots
. Suitable for home gardens, allotments, and containers

Ideal For

. Fresh eating, roasting, and steaming
. Gardeners seeking reliable, fast-growing root vegetables
. Succession sowing for continuous harvest
. Companion planting with peas, onions, or cabbage

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: March – July
. Harvest: May – September

Quick Tip

For tender, flavorful roots, harvest turnips promptly when they reach 5–8 cm; leaving them too long can result in woody texture.

Courgette 'Stiato d'Italia' – Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

Add authentic Italian flavor to your garden with Courgette 'Stiato d'Italia', an heirloom variety renowned for its striped green fruits and tender, sweet flesh. Perfect for summer harvests, these elegant courgettes are ideal for grilling, roasting, stuffing, or fresh salads. Prolific and easy to grow, 'Stiato d'Italia' combines visual appeal with gourmet taste.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors: March – May, 1–2 cm deep in pots
. Transplant outdoors: After last frost, spacing 70–90 cm apart
. Sow outdoors: May – June in fertile, well-drained soil
. Prefers full sun and regular watering
. Harvest fruits 15–20 cm long for the best flavor and texture

Key Features

. Italian heirloom zucchini with striking striped green skin
. Tender, mild-flavored flesh for versatile cooking
. Prolific and early-bearing variety
. Perfect for grilling, roasting, stuffing, or salads
. Decorative, uniform fruits ideal for home gardens

Ideal For

. Fresh summer cooking and Italian dishes
. Gardeners seeking unique and attractive courgettes
. Small vegetable beds, allotments, or containers
. Gourmet recipes including stuffed or roasted zucchini

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: March – June
. Harvest: June – September

Quick Tip

Harvest regularly when fruits are young and slender to encourage continuous production throughout the season.

Broccoletto 'Quarantino' – Seeds

(Brassica rapa) – Traditional Italian Spring Green

Broccoletto 'Quarantino' is a classic Italian leafy vegetable, prized for its tender, flavorful shoots and leaves. Belonging to the Brassica rapa family, this variety is fast-growing and ready to harvest in just 40 days – hence the name Quarantino (“forty days”). It is widely used in traditional Italian cuisine, either lightly steamed, sautéed with olive oil and garlic, or added to soups and pasta dishes.

Key Features

• Type: Hardy leafy green (annual/biannual)

• Growth: Vigorous, compact, fast-maturing (around 40 days)

• Flavor: Tender, slightly peppery and nutty taste

• Harvest: Young leaves and shoots for continuous picking

• Use: Italian cuisine, stir-fries, soups, pasta, and side dishes

Ideal For

• Traditional Italian cooking

• Cut-and-come-again harvests

• Quick, reliable leafy green supply

• Kitchen gardens and allotments

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–September, in rows or broadcast.

• Spacing: 20–30 cm between plants.

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

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.

• Harvest: From 40 days after sowing, cut young shoots regularly to encourage new growth.

Care Tips

• Keep soil moist for tender leaves.

• Harvest frequently to prolong production.

• Best enjoyed fresh – tender shoots have peak flavor.

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.

Squash 'Queensland Blue' – Seeds (Cucurbita maxima)

Squash 'Queensland Blue' is a robust pumpkin variety producing large, flattened, blue-grey fruits with sweet, golden-orange flesh. Its rich flavor makes it perfect for roasting, soups, stews, and baking. Known for excellent storage qualities, it keeps well throughout the winter months.

Ideal for home gardens, allotments, and vegetable patches, this variety combines high yield with a striking appearance and outstanding taste.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – April

• Sow outdoors: May – June, after last frost

• Depth: 2–3 cm

• Spacing: 100–120 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun, sheltered from strong winds

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained, enriched with compost

• Watering: Regular and deep, especially during fruiting

Key Features

• Large, flattened blue-grey fruits with sweet, golden-orange flesh

• Excellent for roasting, soups, stews, and baking

• High-yielding and vigorous growth

• Long storage life, ideal for winter use

• Decorative and versatile vegetable

Harvest

• Harvesting period: September – November

• Pick fruits when the skin is hard and fully colored for best storage and flavor.

Short Tip

Leave a few centimeters of stem when harvesting to extend storage life.

Pumpkin 'Golias' – Seeds

(Cucurbita pepo) – Giant, Decorative & Edible Pumpkin

Pumpkin 'Golias' is an impressive giant pumpkin variety, producing extra-large, round fruits with smooth orange skin. Known for its huge size and vigorous growth, it makes a real garden showpiece while also being delicious in soups, bakes, and pies. Perfect for competitions, carving, or autumn displays.

Key Features

• Type: Annual fruiting vegetable

• Fruit size: Extra-large, giant pumpkins

• Skin: Smooth orange

• Flavor: Mild, sweet flesh suitable for cooking

• Harvest: Late summer to autumn

• Use: Cooking, carving, decoration, competitions

Ideal For

• Giant vegetable growing

• Autumn harvest festivals & carving

• Cooking soups, pies, and bakes

• Impressive garden displays

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: April–May, 2–3 cm deep in pots.

• Transplant outdoors: Late May–June, after last frost.

• Direct sowing: From mid-May, 2–3 cm deep.

• Spacing: 1–1.5 m between plants.

• Soil: Rich, fertile, well-drained with compost/manure.

• Harvest: September–October, when skins harden.

Care Tips

• Requires full sun and plenty of water.

• Feed regularly for maximum fruit size.

• Protect from frost – harvest before first frost arrives.