The most striking cabbage in the patch. Kalibos is a crisp, pointed cabbage in a shade of electric purple which is impossible to ignore. It must be very good for you too. This Eastern European heirloom is very sweet and very crisp. It's well suited to making into salads or krauts.
A beautiful choice for an ornamental kitchen garden, particularly when paired with French Marigold 'Red Gem'.
Sow: March-April (undercover or outside with fleece or cloche)
Plant: May, 45cm apart
Harvest: Late summer- early autumn
Kitchen: 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
Brassica oleracea
0.5g (approx 125 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ Rate: 90% Oct 25
Beautiful butter yellow beans which are easy to spot and harvest. A great variety to grow with children. The beans are succulent with a mellow, grassy flavour. Dior is a slower maturing variety which offers longer harvests than most dwarf varieties. It works well grown with fast-maturing Faraday for extended harvests.
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).
Phaseolus vulgaris
7.5g (approx 45 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ Rate: 98% Sept 25
Thrupp is a very special parsnip and an example of the wonders that can come out of community seed saving. This genetically diverse, modern-landrace parsnip was originally bred by Amanda Godber at an allotment site in Stroud, Thrupp has been stewarded by Down to Earth Stroud and the Stroud Community Seed Bank for years.
It was brought to my attention by seed steward Dan Fox of Two Acre Farm in the Mendips. Dan has put lots of work into trialling, selecting and adapting the parsnip and the seed offered here has been grown on his farm. He describes them as 'proper parsnips' with very little forking - a very rare variety which is strongly adapted to the South West climate.
1g (approx 200 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Pastinaca sativa
Purple Top Milan is bred to grow fast and be eaten young. Harvest when they are ping pong sized and cook whole - skins and all. We are really happy with this selection of the variety - the roots are beautifully flattened with excellent bright violet colouring. They have a nice firm texture and well-balanced flavour. Turnips excellent way of making use of any gaps in the vegetable garden which begin to show in late summer. It's worth having a packet of seed spare just in case!Sow: Valentines day-March (undercover), July-August (direct)Plant: multisow and plant 20cm apart or sow direct and thin to 5-10cm apart.Harvest: 6-8 weeks from sowingKitchen: Eat fresh, pickled or stir fried. Pairs with acid (lemon, lime, ponzu, balsamic, wine), aromatics and spices (coriander, ginger, five spice, chilli, thyme), alliums (spring onion, garlic), fats (bacon, sesame, cashew).1g (approx 450 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ 996% Aug 25
A classic American heirloom for all the celery lovers out there. Tall Utah produces a dense crop of crisp green stems under a canopy of healthy green leaves. The freshly picked celery have a crunch like no other and the leaves can be harvested as and when to use as a herb.Sow: March, with heat (18C) or April in a greenhouse. Light aids germination - lightly cover seeds with fine compost or vermiculite. Seeds are small so it's easiest to broadcast sow then prick out.Plant: 8 weeks after sowingHarvest: June-SeptemberKitchen: One third of the soffritto/mirepoix holy trinity - it is the base of many classic European dishes. Very versatile, particularly when cooked and pairs very well with aromatics (dill, rosemary, thyme, parsley), fats (blue cheese, walnuts, cream cheese).0.1g (approx 300 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.Germ 70% Jul 25
Thyme is a beautifully savoury herb which is very versatile in the kitchen - pick it fresh and it's even more aromatic. It's easy to grow - choose a sunny spot in a flower bed or pot and it will look after itself. It is a perennial herb which will last for years but we find it's best to resow every 3 years for strong lush growth. Sow: March - April (at around 18C)Plant: 30cm apart in MayKitchen: Use thyme to enhance the flavour of roasts, soups and stews. You can also pick the flowers and eat them in salads or as a garnish.Notes: Prefers well drained soil. On heavier soil, add gravel to hole before planting.0.25g (approx 1000 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.Germ rate: 79% July 25
Black Beauty is an early fruiting, large fruited aubergine variety. See how much hand strains under the weight of it! We've found this variety to be a reliable cropper even in difficult growing years. The aubergines it produces are both beautiful and delicious - shiny jet black skins with creamy white flesh. Aubergines are a long season crop and need to be started early and grown in a greenhouse. If you keep the plants well looked after, you'll be harvesting aubergines from August to October.Sow: Valentines day - March, with heat (25C), prick out and pot on to plant out after risk of frost has passed end of MayHarvest: August-SeptemberKitchen: Pairs with savoury (parmesan, miso, anchovies, capers, parmesan), aromatic (parsley, basil, coriander, thyme), spicy (anise, chilli, cinnamon), fats (seasame, goats cheese, mozzarella), alliums (garlic, spring onion).Approx 15 seeds. We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.Germ 88% Aug 25
Tall, elongated beetroot which resembles something a little bit rude. We like to sow them alongside faster-maturing globe types like Wintersonne. We harvest the globe beetroot first and leave Cylindra for autumn harvests and winter storage. It's our go-to for pickled beetroot because the elongated shape makes for beautifully even slices.
Sow: April-July, can be sown in modules or direct
Plant: 4 weeks after sowing.
Harvest: June-October
Kitchen: Roast or boil. Pairs well with spices (cinnamon, chili, cumin), acid (lemon, balsamic vinegar), fats (goats cheese, feta, walnuts, pinenuts, hazelnuts, pecans), salty (capers, olives), aromatics (mint, parsley, dill, fennel, thyme).
Beta vulgaris
4g (approx 200 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ Rate: 78% Oct 25
The sweetest onion in our catalogue with a rich flavour only found in homegrown onions. Long Red Florence is a very versatile Italian heirloom variety which can be cropped as quick-growing, bright purple salad onions or left to mature into elongated, red bulbs. The mature bulbs are so sweet and full-flavoured, delicious in salads or as a rich base for any dish.
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. Not the best storage onion, best eaten within a couple of months of harvest.
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 91% Sept 25
The Ormskirk savoy cabbage is a English heirloom variety originating from the Lancashire market town Ormskirk. As you can imagine, this cabbage is no stranger to cold and wet weather. It will resist splitting, even in a wet winter. The leaves are heavily crinkled - verdant green on the outside with pale green hearts. This is one of the tastiest heirloom savoys around - the sweet leaves hold their bite after cooking. 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 (approx 125 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ: 94% Aug 25
We are really excited to be offering this rare and beautiful Northern Italian heirloom cabbage - Violaceo di Verona. It has lightly crinkled leaves which range from glaucous green to plum purple. This selection is a beautifully diverse - each plant has slightly different colouring and leaf texture. One thing that stays consistent is the flavour - the cabbages are top-knotch - deliciously sweet, particularly after cold weather. Plants are on the larger size, so perhaps not the most sensible choice for smaller gardens.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 (approx 125 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ 95% Sept 25
A richly aromatic oregano which is a very useful and robust plant to grow. This is herb for all your favourite Greek dishes. It grows well in containers or in a herb bed, producing lots of leafy growth followed by a tonne of bee-loved flowers. The blooms make a lovely scented addition to garden posies. This is a perennial herb which you can expect a smaller harvest from in the first year. It will bulk out over the next few years. Cut back old growth in early spring to encourage new soft growth.Sow: March - April (at around 18C)Plant: 30cm apart in MayKitchen: The it herb for Greek, Mexican and Italian dishes. Pairs with fats (eggs, yogurt, halloumi, soft cheese, parmesan), aromatics (basil, parsley, chives, mint, thyme), spicy (chili), acid (white wine, red wine vinegar)0.1g (approx 100 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ 76% Jul 25
A proper Swiss Chard with wide juicy stems and deep green, shiny leaves. A very different plant from our other varieties Fireworks and Verde da Taglia. We think of it as the European version of Pak Choi - a leafy green, bred for its crisp stems rather than its verdant leaves. For this reason it makes a great stir fry addition throughout the summer months when it's impossible to grow Pak Choi. It's a very generous green to grow - if you harvest individual stems, a couple of sowings will have you sorted for the year.Sow: April (undercover) & July (outside or undercover) for continuous supply. Plant: 4 weeks after sowing, or sow direct.Harvest: Baby leaves in 6 weeks, big leaves in 8-10 weeks. Harvest outside leaves.Kitchen: Eat baby leaves raw and cook older leaves - steam, sautee, or braise. Cook stems a little longer than leaves. Pairs with acid (lemon, balsamic vinegar, lime), fats (goats cheese, walnuts, coconut milk, butter), salty (olives, feta, parmesan), aromatics (chilli, nutmeg, dill, fennel, thyme).2.5g (approx 150 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ: 81% Sept 25
There is a shade of electric purple found in vegetables which is hard to ignore. Azur star kohlrabi is a prime example of it. Smooth, bright purple vegetables which add gorgeous colour to autumn harvests.They have a mild, brassica flavour, similar to radish and can be used in similar ways. Try as crudites, grates in salads and slaws or baked in a gratin. Kohlrabi is often associated with Germany and Austria but the vegetable has a surprisingly long history in England. The first recording of field scale kohlrabi production dates all the way back to 1837. Sow: mid Feb-early March undercover or after mid June-July outsidePlant: April or July-August, 20-30cm spacingHarvest: June or September-OctoberKitchen: Make into salads, roast, bake or pickle. Pairs with citrus fruits (lemon), aromatics (coriander, chervil, dill), sweets (carrots, apples, honey), fats (parmesan, yogurt, sesame).Notes: Plants get woody at the base if left too long.0.5g (150 seeds). We pack seeds by weight, the number of seeds in a packet is an estimate.
Germ 100% Aug 25
Kids' Eco-Friendly Vegetable Seed Gift Collection
Our 'Easy Peasy' Kid's Vegetable Seed Gift Collection is the perfect eco-friendly Christmas stocking filler! With 5 varieties of tasty, easy-grow vegetables, our heirloom seed bundle is a brilliant introduction to growing your own food for young UK gardeners.
Ellen has carefully curated this collection, inspired by the crops her kids love to grow - crops that are easy-to-grow, quick to sprout and fun to harvest. Our seeds are locally grown and locally adapted to UK growing conditions, giving you the best chance of success!
Pea 'Carouby de Maussane'
Carrot 'Little Fingers'
French Beans 'Marvel of Venice'
Mini Pumpkin 'Black Futsu'
Basil 'Sweet Genovese'
Why buy this collection?
Seeds for Kids: Features 5 heirloom varieties, carefully chosen to inspire a love of gardening and nature.
UK Sourced & Adapted: Our seeds are selected for their resilience and ability to thrive in the British climate, giving you the best chance of success! Most of our varieties are produced on our organically managed, 3 acre farm in Dorset.
Sustainable & Eco-friendly: We only sell open-pollinated & heirloom varieties (no F1 hybrids) which means you can even save your own seeds with your kids to resow next year.
A Thoughtful Christmas Present: Sharing seeds over the darkest months of the year is an ancient tradition we can all be part of. Our gift collections are beautifully packaged in a plastic-free, eco-friendly gift bag made from recycled cotton.
Gift mindfully this Christmas and give a gift that grows! Our 'Easy Peasy' Kids' Vegetable Seed Collection is the ultimate Christmas stocking filler, giving you all a reason to go outside and get growing this year!
Our vibrant collection of rare, heirloom vegetable seeds make an excellent gift for the nature-friendly kitchen gardener in your life. Our Top of the Pots Seed Gift Collection has been carefully curated by Ellen to look gorgeous and taste delicious. Full of colourful varieties which happily grow in pots in a container garden, courtyard or balcony. Locally adapted to UK growing conditions, most of the varieties in this collection have been saved on our 3 acre farm in Dorset, giving you the best chance of success!
Chard 'Fireworks'
Dwarf French Bean 'Dior'
Rocket 'Victoria'
Spring Onion 'Ishikura'
Calendula 'Ivory Princess'
Broad bean 'Ratio'
Radish 'Saxa'
Why buy this collection?
Perfect for Container Growing: Features 7 colourful varieties, all chosen because they grow well and look beautiful grown in pots. Anyone can make a beautiful and tasty garden - be it a courtyard, terrace or balcony.
UK Sourced & Adapted: Our seeds are selected for their resilience and ability to thrive in the British climate, giving you the best chance of success! Most of our varieties are produced on our organically managed, 3 acre farm in Dorset.
Sustainable & Eco-friendly: We only sell open-pollinated & heirloom varieties (no F1 hybrids) which means you can save your own seeds for the next year.
A Thoughtful Present: Sharing seeds over the darkest months of the year is an ancient tradition we can all be part of. Our gift collections are beautifully packaged in a plastic-free, eco-friendly gift bag made from recycled cotton - perfect for anyone who wants to experience the joy of growing your own produce.
Gift mindfully this Christmas and give a gift that grows! Our Top of the Pots Seed Collection is the ultimate Christmas gift for small-space gardeners, inspiring joy, hope and growth in the year ahead.
