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ANGELICA (Angelica archangelica) - 25 seeds
Sow - March, April and August.
Harvest - May - July.
Hardy Biennial. Height 2.5m. Spread 1.5m.
A most stately plant with large flower heads which are very decorative when dried. Dried leaves may be used for tea and the young stems may be candied. The main ribs of the leaves can be boiled like celery and the young stems cooked with rhubarb to remove acidity.
SOW OUTSIDE in August or early spring in shallow drills. Prefers rich soil in a sunny or partially shaded position. Transplant when large enough to handle.
HARVEST young stems as they are produced and the leaves in June or July.
Angelica (Angelica archangelica) - 25 seeds
£1.29
PURPLE BASIL (Ocimum basilicum purpureum) - 300 seeds
Sow - April - July.
Harvest - June onwards.
Half hardy annual. Height 25cm. Spread 20cm.
Especially good with tomato in salads but use sparingly in cooked dishes. It is also a good herb to use with chicken and makes an interesting variation if used in pesto sauce.
SOW INSIDE: In April in trays or pots using soil-less compost. A temperature of about 25c is needed for germination.
SOW OUTSIDE: Not before the second week of June. Prick out when large enough to handle and grow on in containers in good soil. Likes full sun and shelter from the wind.
HARVEST: Pick leaves any time whilst dry and the sun is not too strong.
Purple Basil (Ocimum basilicum purpureum) - 300 seeds
£1.29
Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum Genovese) - 750 seeds
£1.29
SWEET BASIL (Ocimum basilicum Genovese) - 750 seeds
Sow - April - July.
Harvest - June onwards.
Half Hardy Annual. Height 25cm. Spread 20cm.
Especially good with tomato in saldads but use sparingly in cooked dishes. It is also a good herb to use with chicken and is an essential ingredient in pesto sauce.
SOW INSIDE in April in trays or pots using soilless compost. A temperature of about 25c is needed for germination.
SOW OUTSIDE not before the second week of June. Prick out when large enough to handle and grow on in containers in good soil. Likes full sun and shelter from the wind.
HARVEST pick leaves any time whilst dry and the sun is not too strong.
Caraway (Carum carvi) - 450 seeds
£1.29
CARAWAY (Carum carvi) - 450 seeds
Sow - May and August.
Harvest - October the following year.
Hardy Biennial. Height 60cm. Spread 20cm.
The ripe seeds are used for flavouring rich meats such as port and goose as well as cabbage, carrots, mushrooms and other vegetables. Traditionally used to flavour breads and cakes. The roots may be eaten boiled as a vegetable and the leaves in salads.
SOW OUTSIDE in May or August in shallow drills or scatter the seeds directly onto the soil. Cover with fine soil or compost and water well. Do not transplant. Prefers full sun.
HARVEST when seeds are brown in colour which will be in late summer the year after sowing. Store the seeds in airtight jars.
CATNEP (Catmint) (Nepeta cataria) - 500 seeds
Sow - March, April.
Harvest - June onwards.
Hardy Perennial. Height 80cm. Spread 70cm.
Cats love the bruised leaves and stems. The dried leaves may be used to make a refreshing tea or used as seasoning.
SOW OUTSIDE in shallow drills in early spring. Cover with fine soil and water if dry. Transplant the seedlings when large enough to handle. Prefers a light soil in full sun.
HARVEST the young leaves before the flowers open.
Catnep (Catmint) (Nepeta cataria) - 500 seeds
£1.29
Wild Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) - 400 seeds
£1.45
WILD CHAMOMILE (Matricaria recutita) - 400 seeds
Sow - March - May.
Harvest - July - September.
Hardy Annual. Height 60cm.
To relieve stomach disorders and may also be used as a mild sedative.
SOW OUTSIDE in mild spring weather. Broadcast or sow in shallow drills, covering with fine soil. Thin when large enough to handle. Prefers full sun.
HARVEST when the flower heads are fully open and dried by the sun.
Chervil (Anthriscus cerefloium) - 700 seeds
£1.29
CHERVIL (Anthriscus cerefolium) - 700 seeds
Sow - March and August, September.
Harvest - all year round.
Hardy Annual. Height 40cm. Spread 30cm.
Having delicate fern-like leaves with a slight aniseed flavour, chervil may be used as you would parsley as a garnish or in soups, salads, omelettes or bouquet garni.
SOW OUTSIDE in August/September or in March. Scatter the seeds and either lightly rake into the soil or cover with fine soil. Keep moist. Prefers rich soil shaded from the mid-day sun.
HARVEST leaves at any time. The leaves of autumn sowings will be available for winter use.
CHIVES (Allium schoenoprasum) - 300 seeds
Sow - March - May.
Harvest - June onwards.
Hardy Perennial. Height 25cm. Spread 20cm.
Use lavishly in any dish requiring a mild onion flavour. Especially good in salads and soups or with tomatoes or potatoes. Very decorative mauve pompom flower heads.
SOW OUTSIDE in spring, not too thickly, in shallow drills. Cover with fine soil and water well. Prefers a rich garden soil in sun or half shade.
HARVEST cut the green stalks at any time once the plant is established. To ensure continuous cropping, do not cut lower than 5cm above the soil.
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) - 300 seeds
£1.29
Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum) - 120 seeds
£1.29
GARLIC CHIVES (Allium tuberosum) - 120 seeds
Sow - March - May.
Harvest - June onwards.
Hardy Perennial. Height 50cm.
Also known as Chinese Chives. The long flat leaves are used like chives in salads, vegetables, soups, potato dishes or chopped with cheese or yoghurt. Flavour is mild and a mixture of onion and garlic. Very decorative white flower heads in August/September.
SOW OUTSIDE in spring in shallow drills with a light covering of soil.
SOW INSIDE in growing season direct into pot or container. Prefers full sun.
HARVEST the leaves may be cut at any time but do not cut more than half the leaves from any one plant and no lower than 5cm above the soil.
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) - 180 seeds
£1.29
CLARY SAGE (Salvi sclarea) - 180 seeds
Sow - April, May and August, September.
Harvest - June onwards.
Hardy Biennial. Height 85cm. Spread 50cm.
The large aromatic leaves may be used to flavour soups, added to wine and ale or fried in batter to make fritters. Very decorative and colourful flower bracts.
SOW OUTSIDE in April/May or August/September in shallow drills covered with fine soil. Water well. Prefers full sun and well drained soil.
HARVEST pick leaves when young. Drying is not recommended.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) (Cilantro) - 120 seeds
£1.29
CORIANDER (Coriandrum sativum) (Cilantro) - 120 seeds
Sow - April.
Harvest - June onwards.
Half Hardy Annual. Height 50cm. Spread 30cm.
Use the young leaves as a tasty addition to soups and salads. The seeds may be used to flavour game and poultry stuffings or rubbed into pork and ham prior to roasting. Both leaves and seeds are used extensively in oriental cookery.
SOW OUTSIDE in April in shallow drills or scatter seeds to make clumps. Cover with fine soil and water well. Do not transplant.
HARVEST the leaves when young and fresh. The seeds when ripe in August/September, as they turn greyish-brown in colour.
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) - 350 seeds
£1.29
CUMIN (Cuminum cyminum) - 350 seeds
Sow - April.
Harvest - September, October.
Annual. Height 45cm.
An upright plant with finely cut leaves and small white flowers from July to August. Use seeds whole or ground in cooking. An essential ingredient for curry and many other oriental dishes. Add to meats and pickles to add flavour. The seeds can be ground in a pepper mill.
SOW OUTSIDE In April in drills. Cover with fine soil and thin to 15cm apart in May.
HARVEST seeds when ripe, usually in September as the plant is dying.
Dill (Dukat) (Anethum graveolens) - 500 seeds
£1.29
DILL (Dukat) (Anethum graveolens) - 500 seeds
Sow - April, May.
Harvest - July onwards.
Hardy Annual. Height 90cm. Spread 30cm.
Use the fine leaves to flavour many dishes including cucumbers, salads, green vegetables, and especially fish dishes. Perfect when added to new season's boiled potatoes. Always add to the dish just before cooking is complete. Seeds may also be used for flavouring soups and stews.
SOW OUTSIDE in spring when the soil has warmed, thinly in drills and cover with fine soil. Alternatively scatter seeds and lightly rake in. Keep well watered and do not transplant. Prefers full sun protected from wind.
HARVEST pick leaves when young and fresh and the seeds when ripe and brown in colour. This is best achieved by cutting the head and shaking into a paper bag.
Bronze Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Purpureum) -300 seeds
£1.29
BRONZE FENNEL (Foeniculum vulgare Purpureum) - 300 seeds
Sow - April, May.
Harvest - June onwards.
Hardy Perennial. Height 150cm. Spread 60cm.
A most attractive plant. The leaves complement rich fish such as salmon. Also useful with pork and in soups, sauces and salads. The seeds provide a tasty addition to apple pie.
SOW OUTSIDE in spring when the soil is warm. Sow in shallow drills spaced well apart and cover with fine soil. Water well and thin or transplant when plants are large enough to handle.
HARVEST leaves at any time and seeds when ripe.
Borage (Borago officinalis) - 180 seeds
£1.29
BORAGE (Borago officinalis) - 75 seeds
Sow - Jan, Feb, Oct, Nov and December.
Harvest - April to September.
Hardy Annual. Height 80cm. Spread 60cm.
The chopped young leaves may be added to salads to give the flavour of cucumber. Add the leaves or the bright blue flowers to a cool glass of water to make an especially refreshing summer drink. The leaves may also be used in Pimms.
SOW OUTSIDE in open ground at any time from October to February. Will grow in any soil but prefers full sun.
HARVEST leaves at any time and the flowers when they are fully open.
Par-cel (Apuim graveolens)- 300 seeds
£1.45
PAR-CEL (Apuim graveolens) - 300 seeds
Sow - March - July.
Harvest - May - September.
Annual. Height 30cm.
Easy to grow in the herb garden, in a patio planter or on a windowsill. Gives a basic salad a wonderful warm celery flavour. Can be also used to flavour sauces etc.
SOW INSIDE Sow from spring to mid-summer in good seed compost, just covering the seed. Germination takes 10-21 days
at 21 deg C.
SOW OUTSIDE Transplant the seedlings when large enough to handle into boxes. Grow on in cooler conditions, gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 - 15 days before planting out 30cm apart in ordinary sun or light shade.
HARVEST leaves at any time.
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) - 400 seeds
£1.45
FEVERFEW (Tanacetum parthenium) - 400 seeds
Sow - March - May.
Harvest - June - October.
Hardy Perennial. Height 45cm.
White daisy flowers with strong aromatic yellow-green leaves which stay a good colour throughout the winter. Flowers from July - October. A muslin bag containing dried leaves acts as a good moth repellent and freshly applied leaves relieve insect bites. An infusion of 1 teaspoon of dried leaves in one cup of boiling water, allowed to cool, and taken frequently one teaspoon at a time, is good for digestion.
SOW OUTSIDE in early to mid-spring and cover lightly with fine soil Prefers well drained soil in full sun.
HARVEST young leaves before flowering as the bitter properties increase after flowering.
Good King Henry (Chenopodium bonus Henricus) -200 seeds
£1.29
GOOD KING HENRY (Chenopodium bonus Henricus) - 200 seeds
Sow - April, May and September.
Harvest - June onwards.
Half perennial. Height 60cm.
A dark green succulent plant with large arrow shaped leaves and tiny green-yellow flowers. The leaves are mild in flavour and may be cooked like spinach and served with butter. The young shoots may be cooked like aparagus and served in the same way.
SOW OUTSIDE in spring in shallow drills. Lightly cover with soil and make sure the soil does not dry out. Seeds may also be sown in late summer. For the best results grow in well composted, well drained soil in full sun and do not allow to become dry in summer.
HARVEST pick leaves any time whilst dry and the sun is not too strong.
HYSSOP (Hyssopus officinalis) - 350 seeds
Sow - March - September.
Harvest - June - August.
Hardy Perennial. Height 50cm. Spread 60cm.
The dark green, slender leaves may be used sparingly to flavour rich meats such as pork and in soups and salads. Bright blue flowers blossom from June to September.
SOW INSIDE any time from March to September in soilless compost in seed trays or small pots. Keep moist at 20c, prick out when large enough.
SOW OUTSIDE thinly in spring when soil has warmed and cover with fine soil. Keep watered if dry and transplant to growing position when large enough. May be grown in any garden soil, add lime if necessary, in full sun if possible.
HARVEST pick leaves any time for drying when the sun is not too hot and just before flowering.
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) - 350 seeds
£1.29
Lavender Munstead (Lavandula angustifolia "Munstead")
£1.29
LAVENDER MUNSTEAD (Lavandula angustifolia "Munstead") - 110 seeds
Sow - April, May and August - October.
Harvest - July, August.
Hardy perennial Evergreen. Height 40cm. Spread 40cm.
A semi-dwarf growing variety ideal for a good dense hedge. The mauve flowers are produced in July and August. Very fragrant and an important bee plant. Cut hard in spring for compact habit.
SOW INSIDE in early autumn. Do not cover with soil but cover the tray with glass until germination occurs. Prick out into small pots when large enough to handle and then transplant to growing position in the second year in full sun.
SOW OUTSIDE in spring or late summer barely covered with soil. Water if dry. Thin out and grow on before transplanting to final position in second year in full sun.
HARVEST flowering stems when fully open and sun is not too hot.
