Vegetable Seeds - F - L

A high quality hybrid with crisp, tender, pale green, uniform 'bulbs'. It has good tolerance against mildew and other fungal diseases. Very versatile it can be sown over a long period for harvest from March to October.
When to plant outdoors: late February - July.
How to grow outdoors: Sow 0.5in (1.5cm) deep in rows 12in (30cm) apart. Keep soil moist and firm gently. Thin out to about 6in (15cm) apart when large enough to handle. Sow thinly and repeat at intervals for succession.
When to plant indoors: December - January
How to grow indoors: Sow 0.25in (0.5cm) deep in pots or trays of seed compost. Keep moist and warm. Transplant to growing position when large enough to handle, protecting from late frosts with a double layer of fleece.
Harvest: March - October

Average contents: 50 seeds.

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This superb strain has everything to recommend it. Long, thick, white stems which will hold in excellent condition throughout the winter. Snowstar is ideal for both kitchen and showbench.
When to plant outdoors: March - April
How to grow outdoors: Sow 0.5in (1.5cm) deep in a seed bed. Transplant to final growing positions in June-July, taking care to avoid damage to the roots. Make holes 6in (15cm) deep and 6in apart, allowing 1ft (30cm) between rows. Drop a plant into each hole and water it in. Do NOT firm soil round the plant. The stems may be blanched during the autumn by drawing up the soil around them.
Harvest: October - March

Average contents: 150 seeds.

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A popular early strain with long, thick white stems of fine flavour.
When to plant outdoors: March - April
How to grow outdoors: Sow 0.5in (1.5cm) deep in a seed bed. Transplant to final growing positions in June-July, taking care to avoid damage to the roots. Make holes 6in (15cm) deep and 6in apart, allowing 1ft (30cm) between rows. Drop a plant into each hole and water it in. Do NOT firm soil round the plant. The stems may be blanched during the autumn by drawing up the soil around them.
Harvest: September - November

Average contents: 500 seeds.

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Leeks are invaluable as they can be eaten on their own, with a sauce or in soups and stews. This variety is particularly hardy and produces long thick stems with broad leaves.
When to plant outdoors: March - April
How to grow outdoors: Sow 0.5in (1.5cm) deep in a nursery seed bed. Thin as necessary. Transplant to growing position in June-July, taking care to avoid damage to the roots. Water into 6in (15cm) deep holes 6in apart, allowing 1ft (30cm) between rows. The stems may be blanched during the autumn by drawing up the soil around them. Leeks will grow well in any ordinary soil, particularly if it has been manured for a previous crop.
Harvest: October - March

Average contents: 500 seeds.

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S: March - August H: May - October.

A reliable, medium sized 'butterhead' variety. Compact and slow to bolt, long season.

Average contents: 1250 seeds.

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A great garden performer with good tolerance to bolting in the hottest summer months and with resistance to mildew 1-16. Produces dense heads with crisp leaves and a good flavour. Perfect for 'crunchy' summer salads. Prefers a sunny position and rich, well drained soil.
When to plant outdoors: March - July
How to grow outdoors: Sow thinly 0.5in (1.5cm) deep, allowing 12in, (30cm) between rows. Repeat at fortnightly intervals for a continuous crop. Thin out to 8-10in (20-25cm) apart. Keep well watered in dry weather. Or for early crops sow under cloches from January. Harvest June to October. Start cutting as soon as the first hearts form, if possible just before eating.
Harvest: June - October

Average contents: 500 seeds.

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An Iceberg lettuce which does very well in the British climate. It produces tight, heavy heads, few outer leaves and is an attractive deep green. Its resistance to lettuce root aphid is an added advantage. We thoroughly recommend Lakeland.
When to plant outdoors: March - July
How to grow outdoors: Sow seeds at two-weekly intervals. Sprinkle seeds thinly in rows or beds 10-12in (25-30cm) apart and later thin to 8-10in (20-25cm) between plants. For baby leaves, sow in rows 4in (10cm) apart, for which no thinning is required if sown thinly. Keep plants well watered and provide a liquid feed occasionally. Protect from birds and snails/slugs as they will enjoy the lettuces.
Harvest: June onwards

Average Contents: 750 seeds.

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Deservedly popular as one of the best flavoured lettuces. A compact semi-cos type for successional sowings throughout spring and summer, protecting with cloches to extend the season.
When to plant outdoors: March - July
How to grow outdoors: Sow thinly and sparingly 0.5in (1.5cm) deep, allowing 12in. (30cm) between rows. Repeat at fortnightly invervals for a continuous crop. Thin out to 6in (15cm) apart. Keep well watered in dry weather.
Harvest: May - September

Average Contents: 1250 seeds.

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An excellent variety of cos lettuce, producing large, firm hearts with a crisp texture and a good flavour. It is suitable for both spring and autumn growing.
When to plant outdoors: March - July
How to grow outdoors: Sow in two-weekly intervals for a continuous supply. Sow thinly, 0.5in (1.5cm) deep, in rows 1ft (30cm) apart. Keep well watered. thin out to 10in (25cm) apart. Harvest: June-September from an outdoors sowing or from April if grown in a frame.
When to plant indoors: October; February
How to grow indoors: Alternatively sow in a cold frame in October or February, planting out in February-March.
Harvest: June - September; April

Average Contents: 1250 seeds.

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Frilly, indented leaves are heavily tinged with red. A non-hearting type with good flavour and texture which is slow to bolt. Cooking Tip: A favourite in salads for their frilled texture. Try with radicchio and blood oranges for a colour co-ordinated salad.
When to plant outdoors: March - July
How to grow outdoors: Sow in August for baby leaves, at two weekly intervals for a continuous supply. Sprinkle thinly, 0.5in (1.5cm) deep, in rows 10-12in. (25-30cm) apart. Keep soil moist. Thin out to 8-10in. (20-25cm) apart, 3in. (7.5cm) apart if baby leaves are required. Keep watered and weed free. Harvest from June onwards for whole heads or pick individual baby leaves as required a few from each plant, they will then re-grow for two or three cuts.
Harvest: April - October

Average Contents: 750 seeds.

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This mixture will brighten up all your Summer salads with both red and green leaves. A crisp, tender, 'non-hearting' variety. The leaves can be picked a few at a time whenever they are required. Crops throughout Summer even in hot, dry weather and hardly ever bolts. Lettuces prefer a sunny position and fairly rich soil. The combination of red and green plants make an attractive and useful edging to the vegetable plot or even the flower garden. The packets contain equal quantities of each colour.
When to plant outdoors: March - July
How to grow outdoors: Sow at two weekly interval for a continuous supply. Sprinkle thinly, 0.5in (1.5cm) deep, in rows 10-12in. (20-25cm) apart. Keep watered and weed free. Harvest: Pick the leaves when they are young for the best flavour.
Harvest: June - October

Average contents: 1250 seeds.

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S: March - July H: June - October.

Attractive red-tinged 'oak leaf' shaped leaves. Pick individual leaves as needed or whole 'non-hearting' heads.

Average contents: 1250 seeds.

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Early and quick to mature the small solid hearts are surrouded by few outside leaves. They may be spaced clsely together, a particular boon where space is limited.
When to plant outdoors: March - July
How to grow outdoors: Sow seeds thinly and sparingly in rows spaced 30cm (12in) apart. Keep well watered and free from pests. Repeat sowings at fortnightly intervals for a continuous crop. Thin to 6in (15cm) between plants. Harvest regularly.
Harvest: May - September

Average Contents: 1500 seeds.

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The large solid hearts and crisp tender leaves make this one of the most popular lettuces. Slow to run to seed even in hot, dry weather.
When to plant outdoors: March - July
How to grow outdoors: At two-weekly intervals for a continuous supply. Sow thinly, half-inch (1.5cm) deep, in rows 10-12 in (25.30cm) apart. Keep soil moist. Thin out to 8-10 in (20-25cm) apart. Keep watered and weed free.
Harvest: 14 weeks after sowing

Average Contents: 1250 seeds.

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