Filderkraut is an heirloom cabbage which originates from the fertile plains of South Germany where they know a thing or two about sauerkraut. It's the perfect kraut cabbage - thin tender leaves which hold their bite after fermenting. If you can call a cabbage majestic then this one is it. The pointed Hispi-type heads look very grand in the garden - like minarets rising up from the soil. As well as being great for fermenting, the leaves are perfect shredded in salads or chop the heads into large chunks, marinade and roast.
Sow: March-April (undercover or outside with fleece or cloche)Plant: May, 45cm apartHarvest: Autumn-WinterKitchen: Roast, steam, sautee or braise. Pairs with acidic flavours (lemon, white wine). fats (sesame, bacon, chorizo, walnuts, parmesan), alliums (garlic, leeks), aromatics (mustard, cumin, parsley, coriander, thai sweet basil, ginger).Notes: To avoid massive cabbage heads, grow no further than 45cm apart. As with all brassicas, plant deep to avoid toppling.0.5g (150 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ 100% Aug 25
An early and prolific member of the habanero family of chillis which has a distinctively lemony and aromatic. Its flavour rivals the more widely available 'Lemon Drop' and we include this in our catalogue because of its earliness, bountiful yields and small stature. Its perfect for container growing and doesn't need to be staked.
This is a chilli we grow for one reason only - to make an unforgettable fermented chilli sauce. The chillis are on the spicy side so we often cut them half and half with sweet peppers. This variety dries well but disappointingly doesn't retain its bright lemon-yellow colour after drying, although it does keep its flavour.Sow: Valentines day to end March, with heat (25C)Harvest: July-SeptemberKitchen: Pairs with savoury (olives, bacon, cured pork), aromatic (parsley, coriander, oregano, ginger), spicy (paprika, cumin, cinnamon), fats (avocado, soft cheese, eggs).Notes: Grow in greenhouse or similar.
Approx 20 seeds. We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ 88% Jan 26
Crisp, sunshine yellow beans with a bright, buttery flavour. One of the best tasting French beans we've grown. We offer the white seeded strain of this variety which we think is more tender than the black seeded type. The pods are wide and flattened and tend to curve if grown outside. An easy-to-harvest variety on account of the brightly coloured beans.
Our original seed for this variety was gifted to us by incredible heirloom bean seed producer Pippa Rosen from Beans & Herbs.
Sow: April undercover, May-June outside
Plant: 30cm apart
Harvest: July-September, pick regularly.
Kitchen: Cook lightly and pair with savoury (parmesan, bacon), aromatic (tarragon, ginger), acid (white wine, lemon), fats (olive oil, almonds).
Notes: This is a climbing French bean and will easily grow to 6ft so stake accordingly.
Phaseolus vulgaris
15g (approx 40 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ Rate: 98% Oct 25
Finally, a deep purple bean that actually tastes good! The pods are slender, slightly flattened and beautifully straight. They start off as soft lilac flowers which are something to be appreciated in their own right. As with most purple vegetables, the purple colour disappears once they're cooked. Fun while it last though, and the beans are easy to spot when you're harvesting. Blooming Prairie is a dwarf French bean and the plants will grow to 30cm off the ground - no need to stake.
Sow: April undercover, May-June outside
Plant: 30cm apart
Harvest: July-September, pick regularly.
Kitchen: Cook lightly and pair with savoury (parmesan, bacon), aromatic (tarragon, ginger), acid (white wine, lemon), fats (olive oil, almonds).
Notes: Sow a second succession in June for continuous harvest.
Phaseolus vulgaris
9g (approx 30 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ Rate: 80% Oct 25
A fabulously large podded heirloom mangetout, originating from the south of France. Brilliant to grow with kids because the sweet, 12cm long pods are easy to spot and pick. The peas keep on the vines for ages before they get starchy or stringy. Unlike most modern pea varieties, Carouby de Maussane produces long vines (up to 1.5m) and has an extended harvest season - ideal for home gardeners.
Sow: March to May outside
Harvest: June - July
Kitchen: Steam or sautee. Pairs well with alliums (garlic, onions, shallots), fats (butter, feta, smoked fish, bacon), aromatics (mint, dill, parsley, chilli).
Pisum sativum
18g (approx 100 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ Rate: 96% Oct 25
An early sweet pepper that looks like a really long chilli. They produce slender, curling fruits as long as my forearm which begin pale green turning to orange then red. Eat them at any stage of the proceedings but our favourite is to pickle the still-green peppers whole with garlic and a bit of dill. The perfect kebab condiment. Or BBQ side. Or just to add a little sparkle to your packed lunch.Sow: Valentines day to end March, with heat (25C)Harvest: July-SeptemberKitchen: Pairs with savoury (olives, bacon, cured pork), aromatic (parsley, coriander, oregano, ginger), spicy (paprika, cumin, cinnamon), fats (avocado, soft cheese, eggs).Notes: Stake plants using a tripod method - they don't get very tall but branches are liable to snap under the weight of their fruit. Grow in greenhouse or similar.Approx 20 seeds. We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.Germ Rate: 84% Aug 25
Little Finger is one of the best carrots to grow with children. They are fast growing, sweet tasting and a very satisfying size. The medium-long roots grow up to a finger-width wide (hence the name) so they are ideal left whole and crunched as kids snacks or crudites. Unlike most carrot varieties, Little Finger is specifically adapted to clay soils - one to try if you’re still trying to grow your first straight carrot!
Sow: May until mid-July, direct sow.
Harvest: At least 12 weeks from sowing.
Kitchen: Roast, braise or eat raw. Pairs well with acid (balsamic, white wine, lemon), aromatics (cumin, dill, mint, thyme, rosemary, coriander, ginger, chilli), fats (sesame, olive oil), alliums (leeks, garlic).
Notes: Sow late May to early June to avoid carrot root fly.
Daucus carota
1g (approx 800 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ: 77% Oct 25
Golden Frills is a vigorous variety, producing an abundance of lacy, golden-green leaves. A stalwart mustard for cut-and-come again winter salads. The young leaves are mild, becoming more peppery as the plant ages. I find slugs and snails tend to leave this variety alone - perhaps because of its unique leaf shape. Harvest the yellow flowering tips too - they're spicy and sweet.Golden Frills, along with a lot of the popular Asian greens, was popularised in the UK by the godmother of Grow Your Own, Joy Larkcom. Her book 'The Salad Garden' originally published in 1987 is seminal. Her careful recommendations are both tasty and decorative to 'feed the body and the spirit'.Sow: mid March-May & Aug-Sept (undercover or outside)Plant: densely for baby leaves, 20cm for salad leavesHarvest: 4-8 weeks after sowingKitchen: Eat fresh or stir fried. Pairs with citrus (lemon, lime, ponzu), aromatics and spices (turmeric, ginger, five spice, chilli), alliums (spring onion, garlic, garlic chives), fats (sesame, cashew).Notes: Early sowings benefit from fleece. Sowings bolt around the solstice. Long harvest period, particularly over winter - you'll have greens from October into spring.
1g (approx 450 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ 87% Aug 25
Our pick for a classic salad rocket - green, lobed leaves with strong peppery flavour. A fast growing, vigorous variety which works well as a cut-and-come-again salad leaf. It bolts faster than our other salad rocket variety 'Astro' which is slower growing. Ideally, you'll sow this variety thickly in successions. The flowers are a delicious salad ingredient too. It makes a flavoursome addition to salads from autumn until early spring. Sow: mid March-May & Aug-Sept (undercover or outside)Plant: densely for baby leaves, 20cm for salad leavesHarvest: 4-8 weeks after sowingKitchen: Eat fresh or just wilted. Pairs with citrus (lemon, balsamic vinegar), aromatics (basil, dill, mint) and spices (chilli), salty (capers, olives, feta), fats (blue cheese, goats cheese, pine nuts).Notes: Early sowings benefit from fleece. Sowings bolt around the solstice.1g (approx 500 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ 98% Aug 25
Mibuna is your answer to home grown greens from autumn to early spring. Gentle peppery flavour that is hotter than Mizuna, milder than Golden Frills. The leaves are elongated and flex backwards, making a small well for salad dressings to sit in. They are a deep, healthy green colour.Mibuna originated from the Mibu region of Kyoto City in Japan, where it was bred from a mizuna hybrid. It's been cultivated from 1804. Use Mibuna as you would Mizuna - a baby leaf salad, a stir fry green or wilted in ramen. In Japan its mixed with kombu (an umami flavour-rich seaweed) and chilli to make a quick salty pickle called asazuke. A crisp, spicy, umami flavoured side dish - exceptionally moreish.Sow: mid March-May & Aug-Sept (undercover or outside)Plant: densely for baby leaves, 20cm for salad leavesHarvest: 4-8 weeks after sowingKitchen: Eat fresh, pickled or stir fried. Pairs with citrus (lemon, lime, ponzu), aromatics and spices (coriander, ginger, five spice, chilli), alliums (spring onion, garlic, garlic chives), fats (sesame, cashew).Notes: Early sowings benefit from fleece. Sowings bolt around the solstice. Long harvest period, particularly over winter - you'll have greens from October into spring.
Download our Winter Salads Growing Guide to learn more about growing winter greens.
1g (approx 450 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ 96% July 25
Often the best things in life are found in unlikely places. Who would have guessed that earliest and most productive pepper would hail from the warm Middle Eastern gardens of Turkey? Not us. But Turkish Dolma produces bountiful harvests of sweet, palm-sized peppers from July to September. The peppers are blocky with shiny skins which turn from green to red.Turkish Dolma has been bred to be picked green and stuffed ('dolma' is Turkish for 'stuffed) then baked. We find them very versatile peppers in the kitchen. Roast the young fruits whole and eat them seeds and all; fry them up for breakfast menemen (Turkish scrambled eggs) or let them ripen fully for the perfect snack pepper.Sow: Valentines day to end March, with heat (25C)Harvest: July-SeptemberKitchen: Pairs with savoury (olives, bacon, cured pork), aromatic (parsley, coriander, oregano, ginger), spicy (paprika, cumin, cinnamon), fats (avocado, soft cheese, eggs).Notes: Grow in greenhouse or similar. Stake plants using a tripod method - they don't get very tall but branches are liable to snap under the weight of their fruit.
Approx 20 seeds. We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ rate: 82% Aug 25
Vibrant green leaves a top long, slender white stems with no bulbing. Ishikura is a fantastically robust and frost hardy Japanese variety with a crisp texture and mild onion flavour. Awarded an RHS AGM for its vigorous growth. Sow every couple of months for harvests throughout the year.
Sow: Feb-March undercover, April-September outside. Sow clusters of 10 in modules or sow direct 5cm apart. Stagger sowings every 8 weeks for continuous supply.
Plant: 4-6 weeks after sowing, plant clusters 20cm apart
Harvest: Year round
Kitchen: Best used in salads or slowly caramelised.
Notes: Keep cool while germinating. Temperatures above 20C inhibit germination.
Allium fistulosum
1.5g (approx 375 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ Rate: 91% Sept 25
An early spring treat for anyone who loves butterhead lettuces. Leaves are bright green, buttery soft, lightly dimpled and pleasantly sweet from growing in the cool. A key addition to my quest for a year round supply of butterhead lettuces! Harvest as a looseleaf salad mix by harvesting individual leaves or wait until for the dense heads to form in early spring.Lettuce is a very ancient crop, originally domesticated by the ancient Egyptians for its seeds and sap which were used as a pain killer and sedative. The Romans went on to cultivate lettuce for its leaves and used it as a braising green.Sow: Sept-November undercoverPlant: 4-6 weeks after sowing, plant 20cm apartHarvest: Feb-AprilKitchen: Best used in salads.Notes: Best grown undercover. To make the most out of your space, you can sow/plant 10cm apart then harvest every other plant leaving the remaining half to head up in early spring. Do not let seeds get hot when germinating. 15C is ideal, anything above 18C encourages seed dormancy.
Also available in our 'Cool Greens' winter salad seed collection.
Download our Winter Salads Growing Guide to learn more about growing winter greens.
0.25g (approx 200 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.Germ Rate: 70% July 25
The cutest little french marigold on Earth! Bouncy mounds of rich red flowers with orange centres. Looks amazing in the brassica patch as an underplanting for your cabbages, sprouts and kales. Combine with electric purple 'Kalibos' cabbage for an arresting display, fit for any potager. One of the few flowers we sell which aren't great for cutting but we include it because the its such a lovely addition to a vegetable patch! The foliage smells amazing and flowers are edible. Sow: Mar-April undercover, May-June outside.Plant: 4-6 weeks after sowing at 20cm. Wait until risk of frost has passed.Harvest: Open flowers for salad garnishes
Tagetes tenuifolia
Approx 50 seeds. We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ: 95% Jan 26
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A true British heirloom, dating back to 12th century and hailing from the North of England. Once a staple, today they are most frequently found doused in salt and vinegar. They are as delicious as they sound.
Carlin peas are traditional drying peas, grown to harvest and eat as a pulse rather than the sweet fresh peas we're more familiar with. Grow these fuss-free plants and feel the wholesome satisfaction of loading up your store cupboard with home grown pulses this winter!
Sow: March to May outside
Harvest: June - July
Kitchen: Steam or sautee. Pairs well with alliums (garlic, onions, shallots), fats (butter, feta, smoked fish, bacon), aromatics (mint, dill, parsley, chilli).
Pisum sativum
18g (approx 100 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ Rate: 98% Oct 25
Pizzo is a lovely broad-leaved salad mustard with squiggly serrated edges. It adds verdant volume to winter salad pickings. Its visually similar to 'Green in Snow' but much milder. Definitely our preference for a productive winter salad leaf.Sow: mid March-May & Aug-Sept (undercover or outside)Plant: densely for baby leaves, 20cm for salad leavesHarvest: 4-8 weeks after sowingKitchen: Eat fresh or stir fried. Pairs with citrus (lemon, lime, ponzu), aromatics and spices (turmeric, ginger, five spice, chilli), alliums (spring onion, garlic, garlic chives), fats (sesame, cashew).Notes: Early sowings benefit from fleece. Sowings bolt around the solstice. Long harvest period, particularly over winter - you'll have greens from October into spring.
Download our Winter Salads Growing Guide to learn more about growing winter greens.1g (approx 450 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ: 88% Sept 25
This kale is popular for a reason! Also known as 'Ragged Jack', its blue-green leaves have jagged edges and delicate purple stems and are some of the most tender greens around. Cold weather brings a sweeter flavour and a bright magenta colouring in the leaves.
Red Russian Kale came to Europe from North Siberia and its impressive frost hardiness has meant its been grown all over the Northern hemisphere. The 'Red' in the name refers to communism rather than the colour of the plant. In the US this variety is nicknamed 'Communist Kale'. Whatever your political persuasion, your bound to be impressed by this popular heirloom Kale.
Sow: mid March-May & Aug-Sept (undercover or outside)
Plant: densely for baby leaves, 20cm for salad leaves, 30cm for cooking greens.
Harvest: 4-8 weeks after sowing
Kitchen: Eat fresh or stir fried. Pairs with citrus (lemon, lime, ponzu), aromatics and spices (turmeric, ginger, five spice, chilli), alliums (spring onion, garlic, garlic chives), fats (sesame, cashew).
Notes: Early sowings benefit from fleece. Long harvest period, particularly over winter - you'll have greens from October into spring.
Brassica napus
1g (approx 250 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ Rate: 80% Sept 25
Our favourite oak leaf lettuce. Cerbiatta brings a beautiful and unusual silhouette to your salad bowl. Originating from Italy, Cerbiatta is bright green and crunchy with a strong - for want of a better word - lettuce-y flavour. I find it very vigorous and well suited to growing for cut and come again salad greens or in a loose leaf mix. Crowned with RHS AGM award.
Lettuce is a very ancient crop, originally domesticated by the ancient Egyptians for its seeds and sap which were used as a pain killer and sedative. The Romans went on to cultivate lettuce for its leaves and used it as a braising green.Sow: Feb-April undercover, May-July outside. Stagger sowings for continuous supply.
Plant: 4-6 weeks after sowing, plant 20cm apart
Harvest: Feb-April
Kitchen: Best used in salads.
Notes: To make the most out of your space, you can sow/plant 10cm apart then harvest every other plant leaving the remaining half to head up. Do not let seeds get hot when germinating. 15C is ideal, anything above 18C encourages seed dormancy.
Lactuca sativa
0.25g (approx 200 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ Rate: 100% Sept 25
Thai Sweet Basil is a delight to grow for three reasons. Firstly, it is the perfect herb for Southeast Asian dishes, adding a complex bitter-sweet-spicy aroma to your cooking. Secondly its a glorious scented filler for flower arrangements - shiny green leaves, plum purple stems and a sweet anise scent. Thirdly, pollinators love it - leave it to flower and you can enjoy watching the bees buzzing around it all day.Its easy to grow but as with all basil, its best to grow it in a greenhouse or cloche for blemish-free leaves. If growing outside, wait until the soil and nights are warm before planting.Sow: mid March-July (at around 22C)Plant: 20-30cm apartHarvest: for leaves 8 weeks after sowingKitchen: Use fresh or cooked. Pairs with aromatics (lemongrass, coriander, mint), spices (ginger, cinnamon, chilli), fats (coconut milk, cashew), citrus (lemon, lime).Notes: Best grown undercover for unblemished foliage.0.5g (approx 200 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ 71% Jul 25
Life is about the little things and having fresh herbs on hand is a joy. Grow a pot of chives and you'll have an abundant supply. They are generous producers which will happily self seed and bulk up year on year. Your bagel with cream cheese will never be without a sprinkling of chives.Sow: Direct sow into pots March-September (undercover or outside)Harvest: Lightly harvest 12 weeks after sowingKitchen: Pairs with proteins (eggs, fish, ham), fats (avocado, cream cheese), aromatics (chervil, basil, coriander, tarragon, parsley).Note: Chives are herbaceous perennials and die down over winter. They self-sow and clumps will bulk up. You can divide them in spring.0.25g (200 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ 78% Jul 25
This heritage Italian variety of chicory is one of our favourites. Sweet flavour and crisp texture - this is a variety for chicory noobs. It rivals iceberg lettuce for crispness but with a much more aromatic, complex flavour. Outer, deep green leaves have more radicchio bitterness than the yellow hearts. Pan di Zucchero grow to an impressive size - about 40cm long - a satisfying green to grow. Sowing and planting timing is important to grow chicory successfully. Sow in mid-late July and plant out promptly. Chicory like to germinate in the cool. Sow: mid-late July. Keep seeds cool while germinating.Plant: 4 weeks after sowing.Harvest: October-December. Chicory is frost tolerant but the outside leaves can suffer, looking rotten and slimy. Hold your nerve and peel them away to reveal the jewel-like chicory heart. Kitchen: Best raw in salads but can also be cooked. Cut the hearts in half, marinate and griddle or barbecue. Pairs well with acid (lemon, balsamic vinegar, orange), fats (blue cheese, walnuts, hazelnuts), salty (capers), sweet (winter squash).0.5g (approx 350 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ 72% Jul 25
Photo courtesy of Springtail Farm
A very tasty sweet pepper with lipstick-red, heart-shaped fruits. Lesya is often touted as being one of the sweetest peppers around, we're a little dubious of the title, but what we will say is that Lesya reliably produces very tasty peppers with thick flesh, thin skins and rich flavour. And they're very popular with kids. Despite their compact size, these plants don't take well to being grown in pots.
Sow: Valentines day to end March, with heat (25C)
Harvest: July-September
Kitchen: Pairs with savoury (olives, bacon, cured pork), aromatic (parsley, coriander, oregano, ginger), spicy (paprika, cumin, cinnamon), fats (avocado, soft cheese, eggs).
Notes: Grow in greenhouse or similar. Stake plants using a tripod method - they don't get very tall but branches are liable to snap under the weight of their fruit.
Capsicum annuum
Approx 20 seeds. We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ Rate: 78% Oct 25
A robust, slow-to-bolt spinach with beautiful deep green leaves. If you're looking for a spinach to succession sow throughout the year - this is the one for you. Sow in successions every 4-6 weeks from March until September. Awarded the prestigious RHS AGM for its thick, succulent leaves and upright growth habit. As with all spinach varieties, Matador is high in vitamins A and C.
Sow: March to Sept. Sow early sowings undercover.
Plant: densely for baby leaves, 20cm for greens
Harvest: 4-8 weeks after sowing
Kitchen: Eat young leaves fresh, mature leaves just wilted. Pairs with citrus (lemon, lime), aromatics and spices (basil, turmeric, cumin, chilli), alliums (spring onion, garlic, garlic chives), fats (sesame, cashew, bacon, feta).
Notes: Early sowings benefit from fleece. Succession sow for continuous supply.
Spinacia oleracea
5g (approx 560 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ: 82% Aug 25
Rossa di Milano is a stunning, deep red Italian heirloom with broad shoulders, tapering down to a narrow root. One we're really excited to bring to UK gardeners. A reliable variety to grow from seed, we sow in February and harvest in late summer. A brilliant storage variety - worth a try if you're after lovely sweet red onions which keep all winter.
Sow in March - 3-5 seeds per modules a la Charles Dowding. Harvest fresh and you can use the stems too. Later harvests have a more pungent flavour. Dry the bulbs out after harvest and they'll keep until December.
Sow: multi-sow 3-5 seeds per module for bulbs or clusters of 10 for spring onions, March undercover
Plant: 20cm spacing between modules
Harvest: July-August
Kitchen: Pairs with everything. Use raw or cooked in a myriad of dishes.
Allium cepa
1g (approx 250 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ 98% Sept 25
