Cottage Garden Favourites

Broccoli – Calabrese (Heirloom)

(Brassica oleracea var. italica)

Broccoli ‘Calabrese’ is a traditional Italian heirloom variety renowned for its rich flavour, reliable growth, and abundant harvests. Producing large, tightly packed bluish‑green heads followed by a flush of smaller side shoots, this classic broccoli offers an extended picking period and excellent value in the home garden.

Originating from the Calabria region of Italy, Calabrese has been grown for generations and remains a favourite for its authentic taste and versatility. The central head is harvested first, after which the plant continues to produce numerous smaller shoots, allowing for ongoing harvests over many weeks. 

Ideal for both beginner and experienced gardeners, this hardy cool‑season vegetable thrives in spring and autumn gardens and performs well in a range of climates. Its dense green florets have a mild, slightly sweet flavour that is perfect for steaming, stir‑frying, roasting, or enjoying fresh.

🥦 Why You’ll Love It

• Classic heirloom broccoli with excellent flavour
• Produces a large central head plus continuous side shoots
• Reliable and productive across multiple seasons
• Ideal for fresh eating, cooking, freezing, and preserving
• Strong garden performance and easy to grow 

🌱 Growing Tips

• Best grown in cool seasons—plant in spring or late summer for autumn harvest
• Requires full sun and fertile, well‑drained soil for best results
• Keep soil consistently moist to support steady growth
• Harvest central head promptly to encourage further side shoots 

🌱 Plant Details

• Botanical name: Brassica oleracea var. italica
• Plant type: Annual vegetable
• Position: Full sun
• Harvest: Approx. 60–90 days
• Height: Approx. 45–75 cm
• Approx. 100 seeds pkt 

Turnip – Purple Top Milan (Heirloom)

(Brassica rapa)

Turnip ‘Purple Top Milan’ is a classic Italian heirloom variety prized for its attractive purple‑topped roots, smooth white flesh, and sweet, mild flavour. This fast‑growing turnip produces globe to slightly flattened roots that are tender and crisp when harvested young, making them perfect for both fresh eating and cooking. 

Renowned for its early maturity and reliable performance, Purple Top Milan is an excellent choice for spring and autumn planting. Its fine‑grained, juicy texture and subtle sweetness make it ideal for salads, roasting, soups, and traditional vegetable dishes. The nutritious leafy tops are also edible and can be enjoyed like greens, adding even more versatility to this productive crop. 

Easy to grow and quick to harvest, this variety is perfect for gardeners wanting a dependable, high‑quality root vegetable with both flavour and visual appeal.

🌿 Why You’ll Love It

• Classic Italian heirloom turnip
• Smooth white roots with vibrant purple tops
• Mild, sweet flavour with tender texture
• Fast‑growing and early to harvest
• Edible greens as well as roots

🌱 Growing Tips

• Best grown in cool seasons for sweetest flavour
• Sow directly into loose, fertile soil
• Keep soil evenly moist for smooth, tender roots
• Harvest young (5–8 cm) for best flavour and texture 
• Succession sow every few weeks for continuous supply

🌱 Plant Details

• Botanical name: Brassica rapa
• Plant type: Root vegetable
• Position: Full sun to part shade
• Harvest: Approx. 45–60 days
• Seed type: Heirloom / open‑pollinated
• Approx. 200 seeds 

Celery – Tall Utah (Heirloom)

(Apium graveolens)

Celery ‘Tall Utah’ is a classic heirloom variety renowned for its tall, upright growth and crisp, flavourful stalks. Producing thick, straight stems with a sweet, mild taste, this variety is ideal for fresh snacking, salads, soups, and cooking. 

A dependable and productive choice, Tall Utah develops vigorous plants reaching up to 60–75 cm tall, yielding abundant, high‑quality stalks with excellent texture. Its firm, crunchy stems and well‑formed hearts make it a favourite among home gardeners seeking reliable results and great flavour. 

This cool‑season crop prefers steady moisture and rich soil, rewarding growers with tender, succulent celery when given consistent care. With its strong growth and classic taste, Tall Utah remains one of the most popular and widely grown celery varieties.

🌿 Why You’ll Love It

• Traditional heirloom celery variety
• Tall plants with thick, crisp stalks
• Sweet, mild flavour ideal for fresh or cooked use
• High‑yielding and reliable in the garden
• Suitable for harvesting whole plants or individual stems 

🌱 Growing Tips

• Best grown in cool conditions with a long growing season
• Plant in rich, moisture‑retentive soil
• Keep soil consistently moist to prevent stringy or bitter stalks
• Provide regular feeding for strong, vigorous growth
• Harvest outer stalks or cut whole plant when mature 

🌱 Plant Details

• Botanical name: Apium graveolens
• Plant type: Leaf/stem vegetable
• Position: Full sun to part shade
• Harvest: Approx. 90–110 days
• Seed type: Heirloom / open‑pollinated

Zucchini – Grey Lebanese (Heirloom)

(Cucurbita pepo)

Zucchini ‘Grey Lebanese’ is a traditional heirloom variety prized for its distinctive mottled grey‑green skin, compact growth, and tender, mild flavour. This garden favourite produces short, slightly stocky fruits with smooth, thin skin and crisp, juicy flesh that can be enjoyed raw or cooked.

Highly productive and easy to grow, Grey Lebanese zucchini forms a bushy plant that yields abundantly throughout the warm season. The fruits are best harvested young for their sweetest flavour and most delicate texture, making them ideal for grilling, stuffing, sautéing, or adding to fresh salads.

Widely used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking. Especially those yummy stuffed dishes.  Reliable, fast‑growing, and full of flavour.

🌿 Why You’ll Love It

• Unique heirloom zucchini with attractive grey‑green skin
• Tender, mild flavour with slightly sweet, nutty notes
• Compact bush habit – great for smaller gardens
• Highly productive with continuous harvests
• Perfect for grilling, stuffing, soups, and fresh use 

🌱 Growing Tips

• Plant in full sun in warm weather after frost
• Prefers fertile, well‑drained soil with regular watering
• Harvest frequently to encourage continuous production
• Pick young (15–20 cm) for best flavour and texture 
• Suitable for garden beds and large containers

🌱 Plant Details

• Botanical name: Cucurbita pepo
• Plant type: Warm‑season annual
• Position: Full sun
• Harvest: Approx. 50–60 days
• Seed type: Heirloom / open‑pollinated 
• Approx 8 seeds 

Lettuce – Butterhead ‘Buttercrunch

(Lactuca sativa)

Lettuce ‘Buttercrunch’ is a classic butterhead variety prized for its tender texture, mild flavour, and superb garden performance. Forming compact, loosely packed heads of smooth green leaves with a creamy, pale centre, this variety delivers a delicious balance of soft, buttery leaves and a slight crispness. 

Renowned for its reliability, Buttercrunch is slow to bolt and more heat‑tolerant than many lettuce varieties, making it ideal for extended growing seasons. Its sweet, mild taste and velvety texture make it perfect for fresh salads, sandwiches, and wraps. 

Compact and easy to grow, this favourite performs well in garden beds, raised beds, and containers, providing continuous harvests of high‑quality leaves when picked regularly.

🌿 Why You’ll Love It

• Classic butterhead lettuce with excellent flavour
• Tender, buttery leaves with crisp inner texture
• Mild, sweet taste with no bitterness
• Slow‑bolting and more heat tolerant than most lettuces
• Perfect for salads, wraps, and fresh eating 

🌱 Growing Tips

• Best grown in cool seasons (spring and autumn)
• Sow in fertile, well‑drained soil
• Keep soil consistently moist for tender leaves
• Harvest outer leaves or cut whole heads when firm
• Succession sow every few weeks for continuous harvest

🌱 Plant Details

• Botanical name: Lactuca sativa
• Plant type: Leaf vegetable
• Position: Full sun to part shade
• Harvest: Approx. 45–70 days 

Lettuce – Cos (Romaine) (Heirloom)

(Lactuca sativa var. longifolia)

Crisp, refreshing, and full of flavour, Cos (Romaine) lettuce is a timeless garden favourite known for its tall, upright growth and sturdy, elongated leaves. This heirloom type forms compact heads with a tender inner heart and crunchy outer leaves, delivering the classic texture that makes it a staple for salads and wraps.

With its naturally sweet, slightly robust taste and satisfying crunch, Romaine is perfect for everything from fresh garden salads to traditional Caesar dishes. The upright habit keeps leaves cleaner and well‑formed, while the dense heart stays pale, tender, and full of flavour.

Reliable and easy to grow, Cos lettuce performs well in cooler conditions and tolerates warmth better than many other varieties, making it a dependable option for extended harvests. Whether grown in garden beds or containers, it produces consistent, high‑quality harvests with minimal effort

🌿 Why You’ll Love It

• Classic upright romaine type with excellent crunch
• Sweet, clean flavour with a firm, juicy texture
• Forms dense hearts with tender inner leaves
• More heat‑tolerant than many lettuce types

Ideal for salads, sandwiches, and fresh harvesting

🌱 Growing Tips

• Best planted in spring or autumn for optimal flavour
• Prefers rich, well‑drained soil with steady moisture
• Benefits from partial shade in warmer conditions
• Harvest outer leaves regularly or cut full heads once firm
• Succession sow every few weeks for continuous supply

🌱 Plant Details

• Botanical name: Lactuca sativa var. longifolia
• Plant type: Leaf vegetable
• Position: Full sun to part shade
• Harvest: Approx. 60–75 days 
• Seed type: Heirloom / open‑pollinated

Lettuce – Oakleaf Green (Heirloom)

(Lactuca sativa)

Delicate, fresh, and visually striking, Oakleaf Green lettuce is a classic heirloom variety recognised for its deeply cut, oak‑shaped leaves and soft, flowing growth. Rather than forming a tight head, it produces loose clusters of tender leaves with a smooth texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavour.

Ideal for continuous harvesting, this variety allows you to pick outer leaves as needed while the centre keeps producing. Its gentle taste and soft texture make it perfect for salads, sandwiches, and mixed greens, adding both flavour and a light, elegant appearance.

Reliable and easy to grow, Oakleaf Green performs best in cooler conditions but adapts well across seasons, making it a dependable choice for home gardeners looking for a steady supply of fresh, homegrown lettuce.

🌿 Why You’ll Love It

• Classic heirloom oakleaf variety
• Distinctive, decorative leaf shape
• Mild, slightly sweet flavour
• Tender leaves perfect for fresh eating
• Great for pick‑as‑you‑go harvesting

🌱 Growing Tips

• Best suited to spring and autumn planting
• Prefers fertile, well‑drained soil
• Keep soil evenly moist for best leaf quality
• Harvest regularly to encourage new growth
• Succession sow for a continuous harvest

🌱 Plant Details

• Botanical name: Lactuca sativa
• Plant type: Leaf vegetable
• Position: Full sun to part shade
• Harvest: Approx. 40–60 days
• Seed type: Heirloom / open‑pollinated

Sowing instructions 

(Cucurbita maxima)

Rich in flavour and visually striking, Jarrahdale Pumpkin is a classic heirloom variety originating from Western Australia. Known for its distinctive blue‑grey skin and deeply ribbed, flattened shape, it stands out both in the garden and in the kitchen. 

Beneath its unique exterior lies dense, vibrant orange flesh with a smooth texture and a naturally sweet, nutty flavour. This makes it an excellent choice for roasting, soups, baking, and hearty winter dishes.

Jarrahdale is a vigorous grower with long, spreading vines that produce medium to large pumpkins, typically weighing between 6–12 lbs. It’s also valued for its excellent storage life, keeping well for months after harvest.

Reliable, productive, and full of character, Jarrahdale is a favourite for gardeners looking to grow a pumpkin that delivers both flavour and visual appeal.

🌿 Why You’ll Love It

• Unique blue‑grey heirloom pumpkin
• Sweet, dense flesh with a nutty flavour
• Ideal for roasting, baking, soups, and pies
• Produces medium to large, well‑formed fruits
• Excellent storage life after harvest

🌱 Growing Tips

• Plant in full sun once soil has warmed
• Prefers rich, well‑drained soil with plenty of space
• Allow room for spreading vines
• Water deeply and consistently during growth
• Harvest when skin is firm and fully coloured

🌱 Plant Details

• Botanical name: Cucurbita maxima
• Plant type: Warm‑season vine
• Position: Full sun
• Harvest: Approx. 90–110 days 
• Fruit size: Typically 3–5 kg
• Seed type: Heirloom / open‑pollinated

Sowing instructions 

Pumpkin – Queensland Blue (Heirloom)

(Cucurbita maxima)

A true Australian classic, Queensland Blue pumpkin is a highly regarded heirloom variety known for its hard blue‑grey skin, deeply ribbed shape, and exceptional eating quality. Its dense, rich orange flesh delivers a naturally sweet, nutty flavour that performs beautifully in both savoury and sweet dishes. 

Producing medium to large fruits with a flattened, well‑ribbed form, this variety is both decorative and practical. The thick rind allows for excellent storage, making it a reliable choice for keeping through the cooler months after harvest. 

Vigorous and productive, Queensland Blue grows on sprawling vines that thrive in warm conditions and reward growers with consistent yields. Whether roasted, baked, or added to soups and stews, it’s a versatile pumpkin valued for its flavour, texture, and long‑keeping qualities.

🌿 Why You’ll Love It

• Iconic Australian heirloom pumpkin
• Distinctive blue‑grey skin with deep ribbing
• Sweet, dense flesh with excellent flavour
• Ideal for roasting, soups, baking, and pies
• Long storage life after harvest

🌱 Growing Tips

• Plant in full sun in warm conditions
• Requires space for spreading vines
• Grow in rich, well‑drained soil with added compost
• Water regularly during flowering and fruit development
• Harvest once skin is hard and fully coloured

🌱 Plant Details

• Botanical name: Cucurbita maxima
• Plant type: Warm‑season vine
• Position: Full sun
• Harvest: Approx. 100–115 days
• Fruit size: Typically 3–5 kg
• Seed type: Heirloom / open‑pollinated

Sowing instructions