Pak Choi is one of our speciality crops, and we have varieties in each of the major categories.
Babyleaf Pak Choi is normally harvested at 2-3 leaf stage ( 12 cm ) and the red leaf varieties are particularly popular.
Wholehead Pak Choi is dominated by the green stem varieties in UK.

Pak Choi, Golden Yellow F1 have large rounded leaves of bright golden yellow colour with a stark white stem. Good for adding contrast in a salad. This vigorous variety has good heat tolerance and is suitable for main season cropping.

Babyleaf
Babyleaf is a convenient way of describing the optimum growth stage of many different leafy vegetables when cut to provide an individual leaf for salads. This is normally within the range 8-14cm in size. The popularity of bagged salads in recent years has risen sharply due the excellent quality of the components, and over 90% of households in the UK regularly buy their salads in this form.

Viridis Hortus screen many varieties for their suitability for the babyleaf market, examining leaf size and shape, speed of growth, size of cut area (normally stem thickness) ease of harvest, flavour, colour and general appearance, and of course shelf life after harvest.

Do ask us if you want more information about any of our babyleaf products and their suitability for your needs.

Sowing:
Sow thinly late spring or late summer. Make early sowings under cover, later sowings direct in situ, in rows 15cm apart. As soon as seedlings are large enough to handle, thin out to 30cm apart.

Suitable for the vegetable garden, allotments and containers.

Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.

Packet Content (approx.): 150 (1.5g)

A pinky-red stemmed F1 leaf radish with a lovely radish flavour. Fast growing, upright and hairless. Leaves are green and lobed. The colour, texture, shape and flavour adds interest to babyleaf salad mixes

Grows well under glass. Suited to micro and baby leaf.
 

This oriental brassica is both fast growing and highly productive if given the right conditions. It requires an open situation with fertile, well-drained, moisture-retentive soil (pH 6.5 or 5.8 on peaty soils). Being fast-growing the soil must be rich in organic matter and high in nitrogen.

It is susceptible to excessive salt concentrations, and never does well in poor, dry soil. Being generally shallow-rooted, water is important so water little and often.

Radish F1 Red Stemmed is very temperature-sensitive, especially in relation to bolting, but improved F1 cultivars and crop management should minimise this risk.

Temperature during propagation should be 18oC min., then when planting out in modules at the 2-3 leaf stage, a min. of 7oC is required. The crop can be stored in a cold store at 1oC and 90-95% R.H. for 2-3 weeks.

Cultural Instructions Sow from June Minimum germination temperature is 18oC, with an optimum of 20-25oC. Sow into blocks or modules - do not transplant bare-root seedlings.

Germination should take about 7-12 days. Plant up the young plants at approx 30cm within and 30-40cm between rows.

The Babyleaf can be harvest in 30-35 days main crop matures around 8-10 weeks after sowing.

Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.

Packet Content (approx.): 630 (1.5g)

Family: Botanical Brassica rapa var chinensis

Eye-catching purple red leaf blades which contrast with green undersides and bright green stems. Plants are vigorous, upright and have well textured leaves which handle well through the harvest process. The red colouration is enhanced during cooler periods

Pak Choi Rubi F1 An unusual all year round Veg that is becoming ever more popular with its use in oriental stir-fries and salads, it has a mild cabbage flavour.

Pak Choi Rubi F1 is a purple/red leaved variety with bright green stems, it looks as attractive in the garden as on a plate as a babyleaf Veg or as whole head shredded leaves in stir-fries. It is great for over wintering as well as for main crop sowing.
It is very quick to crop (3-6 weeks), easy to grow and slow to bolt ? a little star. It can be treated as a ?cut and come again? crop i.e. harvesting a few leaves at a time or the whole head can be lifted entirely or cut 2.5cm above ground level and left to re-sprout.
 

Babyleaf
Babyleaf is a convenient way of describing the optimum growth stage of many different leafy vegetables when cut to provide an individual leaf for salads. This is normally within the range 8-14cm in size. The popularity of bagged salads in recent years has risen sharply due the excellent quality of the components, and over 90% of households in the UK regularly buy their salads in this form.

Viridis Hortus screen many varieties for their suitability for the babyleaf market, examining leaf size and shape, speed of growth, size of cut area (normally stem thickness) ease of harvest, flavour, colour and general appearance, and of course shelf life after harvest.

Do ask us if you want more information about any of our babyleaf products and their suitability for your needs.

Sowing:

In autumn and winter seed can be sown into pots or seed trays which can be grown on the kitchen windowsill or in a heated conservatory/greenhouse.

Sow 20-30 seeds into a 10-12cm pot using a free draining compost and cover seed lightly after sowing.
For spring and summer crops, sow direct into prepared seed beds in the kitchen garden or greenhouse border, and this is the best growing technique for spring and summer crops.

Sow outdoors sprinkle seeds 1/2 inch apart in a 2 to 4 inch wide row covering lightly or broadcast sow.

Tip a small amount of seed into your hand, take a pinch and spread thinly along the trench. Cover with soil, label and water.

If birds are a problem in your garden, spread netting to prevent them eating the seed.

Sow every two weeks for a continual supply of tender young leaf.

Cultivation:

The best tasting leaves come from plants which are grown quickly; this means a temperature of 15-19°C (60-70°F).
Under optimum growing conditions a crop of salad leaves can be ready for picking 3-4 weeks from sowing. Slower growing crops can become more fibrous and hotter flavoured.

Once cut the plants should have sufficient energy for re-growth to provide a second or even third crop of leaves, giving a regular supply with "little and often" sowings.

Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.

Seeds per Pack (approx.): 830 (1g) 

We continue to work hard to introduce exciting blends of vibrant colour and incomparable textures more mildew resistant varieties but also concentrate on enhanced texture, flavour, Shape and colour this has led to the introduction of internationally grown varieties such as Osterley.

• Our salad leaf mixes are selected from blend of milder baby lettuces varieties with comparable growth rates interesting and tasty baby leaf salad leaves will enhance presentation and flavors of any dish.

• The MitiusFolium Baby Lettuce Leaf is one of a series of blends which provide a wide variety of colorful and tasty salads.Just pair it with your favorite salad dressing and enjoy.

They can be grown in open ground or under protection, direct sown into beds and then harvested at 12-15cm tall in as little as 28 days from sowing at peak season. Viridis Hortus Salad mixes can also be sown direct in to pots (use 1-3 liter pots) Just sow little and often to get continuity.

Each of the mixes can be grown all year round, for a continuous supply of tasty and nutritious baby leaves. They can be grown in the home, on windowsills or raised in pots in glasshouses or polytunnel ?S in cooler areas for winter early spring crops.

The MitiusFolium Baby Lettuce Leaf Mix contains:

• Lettuce, Bionda
• Lettuce, Rubane
• Lettuce, Osterley
• Lettuce, Exbury
• Lettuce, Bridgemere
• Lettuce, Roselee

Also Mildew resistance varieties

Sowing:

• In autumn and winter seed can be sown into pots or seed trays which can be grown on the kitchen windowsill or in a heated conservatory/greenhouse.
• Sow 20-30 seeds into a 10-12cm pot using a free draining compost and cover seed lightly after sowing.
• For spring and summer crops, sow direct into prepared seed beds in the kitchen garden or greenhouse border, and this is the best growing technique for spring and summer crops.

Sow outdoors sprinkle seeds 1/2 inch apart in a 2 to 4 inch wide row covering lightly or broadcast sow.

• Tip a small amount of seed into your hand, take a pinch and spread thinly along the trench. Cover with soil, label and water.
• If birds are a problem in your garden, spread netting to prevent them eating the seed.
• Sow every two weeks for a continual supply of tender young leaf.

Cultivation:

• The best tasting leaves come from plants which are grown quickly; this means a temperature of 15-19°C (60-70°F).
• Under optimum growing conditions a crop of salad leaves can be ready for picking 3-4 weeks from sowing. Slower growing crops can become more fibrous and hotter flavored.
• Once cut the plants should have sufficient energy for re-growth to provide a second or even third crop of leaves, giving a regular supply with "little and often" sowings.

(Also available are Bright and Spicy Salad Mix, Californian Salad Mix, Frilled Leaf Salad Mix, Mesclun Mixture, Provence Salad Mix, Oriental Salad Mix, Tuscan Salad Mix, Baby Leaf Salad Mix)

Suitable for the vegetable garden, allotments and containers.

Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.

Packet Content (approx.): 200 (2.3g)

Barese Swiss Chard is a great home garden variety! Bred specifically for the baby leaf market, this variety matures quickly and produces smooth dark glossy green leaves with slightly curled edges. Holds up well in a baby leaf mix, and is an excellent addition to salads! Harvest in 26-28 days.

Not suitable for wholehead Bred specifically for the babyleaf

In spite of the name, Swiss chard originates in the Mediterranean region, where professional and home chefs alike use it for salad greens or as a flavouring in soup or rice. The first written mention of this vegetable in the United States is in The American Farmer magazine, where Baltimore farmer Gideon Smith reported his experimental planting. It remained a curiosity until after the Civil War, when gradually it gained in popularity.

Sowing Indoors: Sowing early. 

• Perpetual Spinach is normally sown directly into the soil, but for an early crop, a few seedlings can be started indoors. Transplant them outdoors when the night temperatures are at a minimun of -2°C (28°F). It will sprout fairly early, and will not be harmed by spring frosts.

Sowing Direct: Sow in Spring.

• Sow the seed thinly 5cm (2in) apart at a depth of 1cm (½in). If growing more than one row, space the rows about 38 to 45cm (15 to 18in) apart. The seedlings will appear in about 15 days and should be watered for the first month or so if conditions are dry.
• The plants will need thinning to about 15 to 25cm (6 to 10in) between plants. If left until around 15cm (6in) in height before thinning then the thinned plants can be treated like an early harvest and the young leaves will be extremely tender and tasty.

Aftercare

• When the seedlings are about 2cm tall thin out to leave the strongest seedlings plenty of space to grow - chard needs 30cm between plants, spinach beet 38cm and spinach 25cm.
• Keep the soil around plants free of weeds and water plants in the soil every two weeks, adding a high nitrogen liquid fertiliser to the mix.

Harvesting

• Spring sowings should be ready to be picked within 12 weeks.
• Take what you need by cutting leaves from the outside of the plant, taking care to avoid damage to the roots.
• By picking often, plenty of new leaves will be produced.

Suitable for the garden, allotments and containers.

Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.

Packet Content (approx.): 600 (1.5g)

Mizuna is one of those strange oriental vegetables which arrived in the West in the last 20 years or so. The name for this leafy green comes from the Japanese mizu, for “water,” and nu, for “mustard plant.” Mizuna greens are decorative, adaptable, and very vigorous and cold tolerant and have a very long growing season.

Mizuna can be grown to use either as mature plants or as a seedling crop. The first cut of seedlings can sometimes be made two or three weeks after sowing. Where mature plants are grown, forming clumps about 22cm (9") high, keep cutting regularly to produce a continuous crop of small young leaves. Nutritionally Mizuna is an excellent source of antioxidants, folic acid, and vitamins A and C.

We find Mizuna to be an extremely reliable and very prolific salad crop. It looks rather like Rocket with a much milder taste and bolt resistant. Fantastic salad filler.

CN Mizuna is one of the most popular and easily grown oriental greens species. Most Mizuna is grown at high density as a babyleaf item, Mizuna can also be used to grown at wide spacing for mature heads.

Sow in-situ or in trays or modules year-round.

Quick maturing, allow 21 days from sowing to maturity in peak season

Suitable for the vegetable garden, allotments and containers.

Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.

Also known as Lamb's Lettuce, Corn Salad, Mache, Feldsalat, Ackersalat and Rapunzelsalat. The small, pretty, tender green leaves of this green form a rosette that is very cold hardy. Very vigorous with a mild and nutty flavour and can be planted early spring and again in late August. Verte de Cambrai Corn Salad Seeds sprout quickly, best in cool, moist soil. Sow thinly 1cm (1/2") deep in rows 30cm (1') apart. Thin to 5cm (2") or broadcast seeds about 2.5cm (1") apart. Mache Tolerates damp conditions well and is mildew tolerant. This is a mild tasting, succulent salad green that does well in containers, and grows best in cool weather.

Popular small leaved type, cold tolerant.

An ideal variety for winter production under cover or outside. Sowings between September-April will provide greens December-May. The thick, broad leaves form a dense, upright bunch. Excellent tolerance for damp conditions and quick production of baby greens make this the top choice for greenhouse growers. 

Packet Content (approx.): 750 (1.0g)

New introduction, with a broad but serrated leaf and red/green leaf quick growing yet refined, with good vigour and uniformity. Makes the classic indent leaf early in the growing cycle, with good texture and colour.

Superb deep red and green shoots with a mild then fiery mustard flavour.

Delicious with beef, salads, stir fries, garlic and sandwiches.

Babyleaf is a convenient way of describing the optimum growth stage of many different leafy vegetables when cut to provide an individual leaf for salads. This is normally within the range 8-14cm in size. The popularity of bagged salads in recent years has risen sharply due the excellent quality of the components, and over 90% of households in the UK regularly buy their salads in this form.

Viridis Hortus screen many varieties for their suitability for the babyleaf market, examining leaf size and shape, speed of growth, size of cut area (normally stem thickness) ease of harvest, flavour, colour and general appearance, and of course shelf life after harvest.

Do ask us if you want more information about any of our babyleaf products and their suitability for your needs.

Sowing:

In autumn and winter seed can be sown into pots or seed trays which can be grown on the kitchen windowsill or in a heated conservatory/greenhouse. Sow 20-30 seeds into a 10-12cm pot using a free draining compost and cover seed lightly after sowing.
For spring and summer crops, sow direct into prepared seed beds in the kitchen garden or greenhouse border, and this is the best growing technique for spring and summer crops.

Sow outdoors sprinkle seeds 1/2 inch apart in a 2 to 4 inch wide row covering lightly or broadcast sow.

Tip a small amount of seed into your hand, take a pinch and spread thinly along the trench. Cover with soil, label and water.
If birds are a problem in your garden, spread netting to prevent them eating the seed.
Sow every two weeks for a continual supply of tender young leaf.

Cultivation:

The best tasting leaves come from plants which are grown quickly, this means a temperature of 15-19°C (60-70°F).
Under optimum growing conditions a crop of salad leaves can be ready for picking 3-4 weeks from sowing. Slower growing crops can become more fibrous and hotter flavoured.

Once cut the plants should have sufficient energy for re-growth to provide a second or even third crop of leaves, giving a regular supply with "little and often" sowings.

Often expensive when shop bought, so grow your own - it's easy from seed and more satisfying!
Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.

Packet Content (approx.): 830 (1.2g)

Babyleaf is a convenient way of describing the optimum growth stage of many different leafy vegetables when cut to provide an individual leaf for salads. This is normally within the range 8-14cm in size. The popularity of bagged salads in recent years has risen sharply due the excellent quality of the components, and over 90% of households in the UK regularly buy their salads in this form. Viridis Hortus screen many hundreds of varieties for their suitability for the babyleaf market, examining leaf size and shape, speed of growth, size of cut area (normally stem thickness) ease of harvest, flavour, colour and general appearance, and of course shelf life after harvest.

Mustard 'Red Giant' is lovely as a baby leaf, raw or cooked in stir fries and soups. This is the spiciest of the mustard leaves and tastes of horseradish.

Sow these little and often and use them in a baby leaf salad, or full size in stir fries. I love a winter salad made up of these mixed with milder lettuce, topped with a crispy skinned and succulent duck breast.

They look and taste fantastic and will grow outside through the winter, even under snow.

Position:

Mustard grows best in a sunny position in a fertile soil. It can be sown directly into open ground or can be planted into grow bags. If grown for babyleaf it can be sown into small containers or even windowboxes. Choose a well-drained container that's at least 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in) deep. Containers may need to be watered a couple times a day when temperatures begin to warm. If growing micro-greens, seeds can be planted in shallow flats and harvested about 10 to 21 days after planting. If given adequate light, they can also be grown indoors during the winter.

Sowing: Sow under cover February to May or sow direct April to October

Mustard seeds can be sown practically year round. Plant little and often, every two weeks for continuous supply. Seeds germinate in 5 to 10 days at temperatures between 7 to 30°C (45 to 85°F)

Sow sparingly in shallow drills 6 to 12mm (¼ to ½ in) deep. Space seeds 2.5cm (1in) apart for cut-and-come-again salad or 20 to 25cm (8 to 10in) for whole plant production. Adequate spacing is most important when growing plants to full size. This is easy to accomplish by simply thinning plants as they begin to get crowded in the garden.

Cultivation:

Mustard greens are primarily a cool season vegetable and are at their peak in late spring to early summer. Keep well watered especially in summer. Hot weather causes the plants to bolt and their greens to turn unpleasantly bitter.

An autumn crop is often planted because mustard is frost-resistant and easily overwinters in temperate areas. Protect late sowings with cloches and the plants will keep growing throughout the winter and continue to grow vigorously when temperatures warm and daylight increases.

Harvesting: 20 days for babyleaf, 45 days to maturity

Mustard plants can be harvested for baby leaf once the leaves are 5cm (2in) tall. For milder leaves, pick young, they are best cropped at around 15cm (6in) for salads.

The plants will grow to around 30 to 45cm (12 to 18in) tall. Mature leaves can be boiled or steamed or braised in a pot with a little butter and garlic.

Use scissors or a knife rather than pulling the leaves to avoid damaging the plant. Keep picking regularly to prevent flowers running to seed. Pull and compost the plants once hot weather arrives in the summer, as mustard greens become tough and bitter

Suitable for the vegetable garden, allotments and containers.

Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.

Packet Content: 100 (1.25g's) Seeds

A Victorian heirloom, which is often grown as an ornamental as well as on veg plots, on account of its dark crimson, almost black leaves which taste sweet if picked young. Pick the baby leaves to add a rich splash of colour to salads, or leave the plants to mature for classic fat round purple beetroots. The leaves turn an even darker purple in cold weather, so for the richest colours leaves sow a last crop in September to grow through autumn. The globe-shaped roots have a good flavour and on being cut open reveal attractive pink rings. A heritage variety introduced in 1840.

Direct sow beetroot seeds outdoors from March to July in a weed free, sunny position in fertile, light, well-drained soil. Sow beetroot seeds thinly in shallow drills at a depth of 2cm (3/4") and 4cm (1.5") apart. Germination will usually take 12 to 24 days. When large enough to handle, thin out the seedlings within each row to 10cm (4") apart. Beets can also be grown in containers: sow direct into the compost allowing about five seeds to a 45cm pot.

.

When growing beetroot, water as necessary to prevent the soil from drying out and keep the plants cool and moist. This will help to avoid plants running to seed. Roots can be lifted at any time from June to October once they have reached 1" diameter or more. Harvest any remaining crops before the first frosts. Beetroot can be stored until mid-spring in boxes of moist sand in a frost free shed or garage.

Suitable for the vegetable garden, allotments and containers.
Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.