Vegetables For Containers
Growing vegetables in containers is becoming an increasingly popular option, as garden sizes shrink, and house prices rise. Having enough room to grow vegetable plants and vegetable seeds can be a challenge, but container-growing offers a viable solution (as our picture illustrates!).
Compact or dwarf plants and inter-planting are two great options for container planting in smaller gardens, with many varieties of vegetables happy to grow and crop in pots throughout the year.
Whether you're keen to utilise every last inch of your outdoor or indoor growing space, or perhaps have a garden that's modestly-sized to say the least, having a go at growing vegetables in containers is definitely a viable option. In the last twenty or thirty years, much 'homegrown' research has gone into container planting, especially as garden sizes throughout the UK have shrunk considerably since World War Two. These days, outside space is at a premium, and container gardening offers a very efficient and successful solution to the space problem
Many varieties of fruit and vegetables will do well in containers - potatoes are a perennial favourite, but many veg varieties are also available in compact or dwarf forms, making them excellent candidates for smaller gardens and plots. In these listings you'll find a selection of vegetable seeds and vegetable plants that will happily grow and crop in a restricted space - it's up to you whether you opt for super-posh growing trugs and containers or prefer to recycle or upcycle old household containers and give them a new lease of life!
As with an 'in situ' vegetable plot, if growing vegetables in containers, you'll need to refresh and replenish the growing medium each season. At the end of the busy growing season, we recommend adding your 'spent' growing medium to the garden or compost heap, and replenishing completely the following year - home-made if possible! Remember, vegetables grown in containers will probably require some extra watering, as the growing medium will tend to dry out much faster than soil in vegetable plots. Ensure that your containers have adequate drainage to avoid waterlogging, and try to position your vegetable plant pots away from prevailing winds.
Chilli Pepper Seed 'NuMex Sweet'
Sweet Pepper. A delicious sweet paprika variety of pepper, developed in New Mexico, produces lovely bright red peppers with no heat.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 10 seeds.
Corn Salad Seed 'Vit'
Sometimes known as Lamb's Lettuce. A much underrated vegetable. Provides a valuable source of fresh outdoor salad leaves during the autumn and winter.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 500 seeds.
Cucumber Seed 'Louisa'
An all-female, high-yielding, smooth-skinned cucumber that is early to crop. Best grown under protection. Lovely sweet flavour. Mildew resistant.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of 5 seeds.
Dwarf French Bean Seed 'Hildora'
A delicious, colourful, high-yielding, long, yellow French Bean, which is easy to grow and keeps its colour when cooked. Can be grown inside or out.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 250 seeds.
Dwarf French Bean Seed 'Purple Queen'
A beautiful dark purple dwarf French Bean, plants reach approximately 14" (35 cm) tall. Has a good yield and is delicious cooked or raw. Easy to grow from seed.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 250 seeds.
Mizuna Greens Seed
Sometimes known as Japanese Mustard. Green serrated leaves have a mild mustard flavour. Use in stir-fries or as a baby leaf. Excellent cold resistance.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 180 seeds.
Oriental Veg 'Lucky 13' Surprise Seed Mix
A special blend of now more than 13 oriental vegetables, all different. Use young as baby leaf or grow on for a mixed 'stir fry' selection.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 150 seeds.
Pak Choi Seed 'Bonsai'
Sometimes known as Bok Choy. Quick to mature, leaves, stems and flowering shoots are all edible. Large rounded green leaves have pure white stems.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 90 seeds.
Pak Choi Seed 'Red Lady'
Stunning wine red and green leaf in an oval shape and contrasting stems and veins. Perfect for micro greens and baby leaves. F1 hybrid
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 90 seeds.
Pea Seed 'Carouby de Mausanne' (Mange Tout)
This old French variety of mange tout produces large flat pods of extremely sweet flavour. Reliable in habit and very heavy cropping.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 200 seeds.
Pea Seed 'Douce Provence'
An excellent bush variety from France. Produces large crops of sweet and succulent peas. Perfect for spring, summer, autumn, and even over-wintering crops.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 200 seeds.
Rhubarb Plant 'Champagne'
One of the earliest varieties and recognised as one of the best for forcing. Slender pink stems are juicy and sweet. A heritage variety that is reliable and easy to grow.
Available Now
Supplied as a pot grown plant.
Rhubarb Plant 'Victoria'
A tried and tested variety of Rhubarb that has proved to be reliable, with high yields of quality stalks that are green flushed red. Excellent for forcing.
Available Now
Supplied as a pot grown plant.
Rocket Seed Blend
A blend of popular varieties. Produces heavy crops of the spicy salad leaf over a long period. Easy to grow and with good disease resistance.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 200 seeds.
Shallot Seed 'Matador'
Consistently produces heavy crops of uniform quality bulbs. Thick brown skins protect the pure white flesh below. Very crisp. F1 Hybrid.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 90 seeds.
Spinach Seed 'Amazon'
F1 hybrid, bolt- and mildew-resistant variety bred in the UK to combat our short colder days. Reaches approx 8" (20 cm) high with dark green rounded leaves.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 250 seeds.
Spinach Seed 'Little Grandad's Original'
Dark green leaves have small midribs and a rich and hearty spinach flavour. Extremely hardy and will crop over a long period.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 250 seeds.
Swiss Chard Seed 'Rhubarb Chard'
Bright red stems are topped by dark green or purple leaves. Stem, leaves and even flower stalks can be eaten. Slow to run to seed.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 200 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Amish Paste'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato. Large sized plum tomatoes have deep red skin and a rich dense flesh ideal for pasting. Open pollinated, heritage (heirloom) variety.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 15 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Amy's Sugar Gem'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato. Golf ball sized fruits are gorgeously sweet and very meaty. Very heavy cropping. Open pollinated, heritage (heirloom) variety.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 15 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Austin's Red Pear'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato. A cherry tomato that looks like a pear! Bright red fruits are lovely and sweet and satisfyingly firm. Open pollinated, heritage (heirloom) variety.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 15 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Black Cherry'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato. Mahogany-brown cherry tomatoes are produced in profusion. Good disease resistance. Open pollinated, heritage (heirloom) variety.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 15 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Carmello'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato. Very large beefsteak fruits have a rich and deep flavour and very little seed. A dehybridised reselection, and now open pollinated.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 15 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Cuostralee'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato. Large beefsteak fruits have a pleated shape and a really deep and intense flavour. Open pollinated, heritage (heirloom) variety.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 15 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Hawaiian Pineapple'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato. Huge beefsteak fruits. Pale yellow-red skin and deep orange meaty flesh. Open pollinated, heritage (heirloom) variety.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 5 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Indigo Blue Berries'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato, a beautiful blue-black cherry-sized fruit that is packed full of antioxidants and goodness. Suitable for protected and outdoor growing.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 5 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Indigo Rose'
Cordon (vine) Tomato. Full of goodness and antioxidants this variety ripens to a deep brown/black colour on the top (paler at the bottom) and has incredible flavour.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 5 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Nepal'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato. Large, smooth fruits have crimson skin and a really sweet flavour. A good variety for storing and late ripening. Open pollinated, heritage (heirloom) variety.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 15 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Pink Lemon'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato. Lemon shaped yellow fruits have yellow-orange flesh blushed pink. Firm and meaty texture. Open pollinated, heritage (heirloom) variety.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 15 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Red Fig'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato. Large trusses of bright red 'fig'-shaped'cherry tomatoes are produced in profusion. Very sweet and juicy. Open pollinated, heritage (heirloom) variety.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 15 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'San Marzano Redorta'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato. A superior form of 'San Marzano'. Large, delicious, full-flavoured plum tomatoes. Open pollinated heritage (heirloom) variety.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 10 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Snow White'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato. One of the palest coloured tomatoes there is! Masses of gorgeously sweet fruits. Open pollinated, heritage (heirloom) variety.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 15 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Surender's Indian Curry'
Bush Tomato. A sour tomato from India particularly well suited for use in curries and similar ethnic dishes. Open pollinated, heritage (heirloom) variety.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 15 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Tiny Tim'
Bush Tomato. A tiny dwarf variety that will happily live on a windowsill and fruit at no more than 12" tall. Open pollinated, heritage (heirloom) variety.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 5 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Tomatoberry'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato.Bright red heart-shaped fruits have a lovely sweet flavour and satisfying crunch. Suitable for protected and outdoor growing.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 5 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Vintage Wine'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato. Large pink beefsteak fruits with golden-yellow stripes. Sweet and subtly flavoured meaty flesh. Open pollinated, heritage (heirloom) variety.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 15 seeds.
Tomato Seed 'Yellow Pear'
Cordon (Vine) Tomato. Small golden-yellow pear-shaped fruits are produced in clusters. A real lunch-box treat! Open pollinated, heritage (heirloom) variety.
Available Now
Supplied as a packet of approximately 15 seeds.
Windowsill Baby Leaf Kit
Everything needed to grow your own supermarket 'bag of baby leaves' on your windowsill. Beat the supermarkets at their own game! Can be grown any time of year. Easy and reliable.
Available Now
Supplied as a complete kit including windowsill trough, compost and Lucky 13 Oriental Vegetable seeds.
Artichoke Plant 'Green Globe'
A reliable hardy, heritage variety of Globe Artichoke. Perennial in habit it will produce fine quality globes that can be harvested small or large.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late April / early May
Supplied as compost block grown plants.
Artichoke Plant 'Romanesco'
The traditional artichoke with a twist! Produces eye catching purple-tinted globes. Heads are tight and firm. A highly ornamental plant in its own right.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late April / early May
Supplied as compost block grown plants.
Artichoke Plant 'Tavor'
A hardy perennial vegetable. An improved selection of 'Green Globe'. Excellent Winter cold tolerance. Can crop in first year. Mature plants produce 8 or more globes per year.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late April / early May
Supplied as compost block grown plants.
Asparagus Plant 'Connover's Colossal'
A tried and trusted heritage variety from the 1800's with an excellent flavour. Large and thick spears are produced in abundance. Adaptable and very reliable.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late April / early May
Supplied as compost block grown plants (not bare root crowns).
Asparagus Plant 'Mary Washington'
A delicious heirloom variety of asparagus that produces dark green succulent spears. A tried and trusted variety that will not disappoint!
Available from APPROXIMATELY late April / early May
Supplied as compost block-grown plants (not bare root crowns).
Asparagus Plant 'Pacific Purple'
A fairly new variety of Asparagus from New Zealand. One of the highest yielding purple types. Spears have a very high sugar content. Good resistance to Fusarium.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late April / early May
Supplied as compost block grown plants (not bare root crowns).
Aubergine Plant 'Black Beauty'
Sometimes known as eggplant. Purple-black fruits are good-sized and well textured. Very prolific cropper, suitable for both indoor and outdoor growing.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late April / early May
Supplied as compost block grown plants.
Aubergine Plant 'Snowy'
A plant that produces a delightful, firm white aubergines, sometimes known as egg plant. An early cropping variety with a good yield.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late April / early May
Supplied as compost block grown plants.
Aubergine Plant 'White Casper'
An excellent variety for UK growing. An heirloom variety producing white skinned and fleshed fruits approximately 7" long with a firm texture and mild flavour.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late April / early May
Supplied as compost block-grown plants.
Beetroot Plant 'Boltardy'
A deliciously sweet beetroot which is easy to grow. Very nutritious! You can either harvest as baby beetroot or allow to grow larger for roasting.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late March / early April
Supplied as compost blocks each containing approximately four plantlets .
Beginners Vegetable Plant Collection
Our selection of vegetable plants for you if you're not sure where to start (there really is too much choice!) All easy to grow and ready to go straight in the garden.
Available from APPROXIMATELY early May
Supplied as 6 varieties compost block grown plants (5 of each).
Broad Bean Plant 'The Sutton'
A dwarf variety perfect for the smaller plot. Extremely hardy, so ideal for over-wintering. Excellent flavour and heavy cropping too.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late March / early April
Supplied as compost block grown plants.
Climbing French Bean Plant 'Blue Lake'
A most delicious and reliable French Bean that defies any Summer drought and remain sugar sweet and tender. Easy to grow and very long cropping.
Available from APPROXIMATELY early May
Supplied as compost block grown plants.
Climbing French Bean Plant 'Fasold'
A black seeded Climbing French Bean with excellent flavour and continuity of cropping performance. Can be dried and used as a haricot bean.
Available from APPROXIMATELY early May
Supplied as compost block grown plants.
Leek Plant 'Shirleys' Giant Exhibition'
Our own re-selection of the tried and trusted variety 'Musselburgh'. Very hardy and will grow to huge proportions; perfect for the exhibition bench.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late April / early May
Supplied as as nursery fresh transplants.
Rocket Plant Mix
So easy to grow and such amazing flavour. Cut again and again all season long for fresh, healthy and flavoursome leaves with mixed appearance.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late March / early April
Supplied as compost block grown plants.
Pea Plant 'Douce Provence'
Bush peas that don't need support! Will grow to around 2 ft tall and produce a lovely crop of sweet delicious peas. Very easy to grow.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late March / early April
Supplied as compost block-grown plants.
Pea Plant 'Victorian Colossal Climbing'
The most amazing variety of pea there is! Once you've grown these no other pea will do.They have the best flavour, sweet, delicious and very prolific.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late April / early May
Supplied as compost block-grown plants.
Pea Plant 'Waverex' (Petit Pois)
Waverex Pea Delicious, sweet, small petit pois peas. This variety is high-yielding, easy to grow in rows or circles, and can be grown without support.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late March / early April
Supplied as compost block-grown plants.
Rhubarb Plant 'Glaskin's Perpetual'
A gorgeously sweet heritage variety of Rhubarb. Can be harvested late into the season as it remains sweet. Heavy cropping and very reliable.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late April / early May
Supplied as a pot grown plant.
Runner Bean Plant 'Polestar'
A stringless runner bean with excellent cropping potential and delicious flavour. Perfect raw in salads or as a cooked vegetable. Requires support.
Available from APPROXIMATELY early May
Supplied as compost block grown plants.
Spinach Plant 'Amazon'
An excellent variety of spinach, bred for the UK climate. Grow under protection early and late in the season to extend your cropping time. Delicious round, dark green leaves.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late March / early April
Supplied as compost block grown plants.
Strawbini Plant
Eaten like Spinach with the added bonus of little strawberry-like red fruits - delicious. Also known as the Beetberry or Strawberry Spinach.
Available from APPROXIMATELY late April / early May
Supplied as compost block-grown plants.
Potato Tuber 'Pink Fir Apple'
Maincrop / Salad. First introduced in 1850. Pink skinned long and knobbly potatoes have a waxy yellow flesh and rich flavour. Best for steaming / boiling, salads, roasting and chips.
Currently Not Available To Purchase - Available from - SOLD OUT UNTIL NEXT YEAR - 2025
Supplied as 1 Kg (to the nearest potato) of certified seed potatoes.
