A high revenue crop which is becoming more ‘mainstream’. Has a flexible growing regime, as it can be grown in heated glass, cool glass and under plastic.
200 seeds per gram. Sow early October to November, or mid-November to December, or late January to February, germinates at 20-20°C. For early/late crop allow 46cm between plants, for maincrop allow 38cm. Sowing rate 50,000 seeds per hectare. Harvest from April onwards.

Semperflorens:
Annual, sow the very fine seed January-March on surface of compost, keep moist. Mixing the seed with fine silver sand makes it easier to spread it evenly over the compost. Germination takes 2-3 weeks at 22-24°C. Do not exclude light. Prick out after 6 weeks into 6-pack trays or pots. Supplementary light quickens development of the small seedlings. Grow on at 15-18°C. 70,000 seeds per gram. Total production time around 14-16 weeks depending on lighting and sowing time.
Sell in: 6 packs and 8-10cm pots.
End Use: Versatile, tolerant of rainy weather, long flowering season. For formal bedding, and baskets and containers.
For easier sowing choose pelleted seed.

Begonia Tuberous:
Cultural instructions as for semperflorens, except earlier sowing time (December-January) as takes 20 weeks sowing to flowering.
Sell in: 4 packs and 10cm pots.
End Use: Bedding schemes, baskets and containers. Resistant to rainy weather.

Can be harvested during most of the year. Good shelf life and storage possibilities - also fresh market and young plant sales.
Specialist crops such as Romanesco types are increasing in popularity due to their raised profile; cauliflowers can be added into production programmes following on from other main season crops.
250-450 seeds per gram. Germinates between 8 and 30°C. Spacing early Summer types 46 x 61cm (41,000 plants per hectare), others 61 x 61cm (27,000 per hectare).

Pelargonium' Tender perennial usually treated as annual. Approximately 220 seeds per gram.
Variety selection depends on final use. Multi-headed types such as Multibloom are especially good for early pack sales. For pots and bedding, Mavericks and Horizons are hard to beat. Ivy-leafed types (Tornado and Summer Showers) are a fast-growing alternative to cutting-raised types. Where cost is an issue, the newer F2 types such as Cabaret offer an alternative to the F1 varieties.
Sow December-February, or earlier (October) to overwinter cool and flower as early as April. For sales in May, sow early to mid January. Cover with vermiculite A fungicide drench at sowing can help reduce the risk of Pythium disease.
Germination is rapid (4-6 days) at 21-23°C, keep constant compost temperature, and do not allow the moisture level in the compost to drop too low, otherwise germination will occur in flushes. Prick out after 4 weeks into packs or pots, grow on at around 15°C - takes 13-15 weeks from sowing to flower depending on the variety.
Always provide adequate moisture levels to maintain active growth, but be careful not to over-water as plants, especially if tightly packed, will be prone to Botrytis attacks, and because of this it is preferable to water earlier in the day, so plants can dry off before night time.
Cycocel (growth regulator) can be used to ensure a compact habit.

Perennial types:
3 weeks at 20°C, sow March-July cover with vermiculite.
Sell in: 2 litre pots as green plant with colour label.
End Use: Borders.

A range of annuals, biennials and perennials grown for culinary and medicinal purposes. Ideal for plant sales. Sell in 9cm pots and upwards. Best sold as green plant with label.

Perennial, 2-3 weeks at 18-20°C; Cover with vermiculite, sow April-July. 1000 seeds per gram. 5g for 1000 plants.
Sell in: 10cm and larger pots.
End Use: Borders.

The higher cost of the F1 hybrids may be justified interms of uniformity, speed of flowering, clear flower colours and overall garden performance. In general, the larger flowered varieties tend to flower slightly later, and are especially suitable for late Spring and Summer flowering, as flower size tends to reduce as temperatures increase.
Seed count approx. 700 per gram.
Sow the seed into trays or plugs, cover lightly with vermiculite, and keep the compost moist. Germinate at 18-20°C, shading to avoid excessive temperatures which can depress germination. Germination should be apparent in about 7-10 days.
After 4-5 weeks, prick out into 6-packs or 8cm pots. Use a slow-release fertilizer or commence liquid feeding after 2-3 weeks.
For early Spring sales, it is necessary to harden off the plants prior to sale, by gradually reducing the temperatures.
Pansies are very susceptible to stretching where temperatures are high for a significant period of time. Where reasonably low temperatures (i.e. temperatures not above 14°C) cannot be guaranteed, then growth retardant chemicals should be considered, virtually all are suitable for use on pansies, subject to the manufacturers’ guidelines. Side effects may include a reduction in flower and leaf size.
Sow June for sales Aug-Sept.
Sow July for sales Sept-Oct.
Sow Aug for sales Nov-Feb.
Sow Oct-Dec for sales March.
Sow Jan for sales in April.

A fast-maturing, long season crop which is suitable for bunching and prepack. A popular salad item which is high yielding, in limited space. An excellent catch crop throughout the season.
80-100 seeds/g. Germinates between 14 and 30°C. For early glasshouse production sow January-March. Sow maincrop March-August. Sow late glasshouse crop September-October. 60-75kg seed per hectare. Spacing 1.5-2.5cm x 20-45cm.

We offer a wide range of varieties designed to meet most growers' requirements. While the old established favourites are still popular, the recent hybrid introductions have resulted in plants which not only perform better but taste better, an important characteristic in any tomato variety. New hybrid varieties with more unusual fruit shapes, colours and sizes are proving very popular both with fresh market sales and retail plant sales. Young tomato plants remain the best seller for vegetable plant sales to the public.
For varietal fruit shape, size, colour and suitability please see technical table and individual product descriptions.

Treat as biennial. For technical details see Pansy. 750-1000 seeds per gram.
Sell in: 6-packs, 8cm pots 1L pots 3 plants per pot.
End Use: Containers, baskets, borders.
Freckles
Perennial, best sown October-February, 2-3 days at 12-15°C, then cold frame, 600 seeds per gram.
Viola Odorata
Perennial, sow October-November, 2-3 days at 12-15oC then cold frame. 225 seeds per gram.