Seed List
Northern Queen
Our donor found these seeds among her father's gardening clutter. Originally sold by Finneys, a Northumberland seed merchant with nurseries and trial grounds in Newcastle. Finneys closed during the 1950s when this was its most popular outdoor variety. It is a large butterhead lettuce with soft, mild-flavoured leaves. Prefers a cooler climate; our donor suggests a September sowing, as it will overwinter with protection.
Soulie
Our donor's sister acquired seeds of this variety from Luc Soulie of Tarn in the South of France. This lettuce has been, and still is, saved by generations of the Soulie family. A cos lettuce, upright with red-tinged, fairly loose leaves. Surprisingly crisp with a pleasant sweet flavour.
Stoke
Originally from Stoke, near Rochester in Kent, where the Cheesman family had grown it for 170 years, but this variety probably dates back to before 1840. A compact and trouble-free lettuce, perfect for growing in limited space or in containers. The dark green leaves are crunchy, flavoursome and slightly sweet. Sow to harvest 70 days (approx.)
White Seeded Samara
An attractive, bright apple-green, loose-leaf lettuce that produces white seeds, hence the name. The large, soft leaves have excellent flavour and it works very well as a 'cut-and-come-again' variety. Also does well under glass, but is also cold-hardy.
Cantalun
Originally from the Vilmorin Seed House, this Charentais type melon produces round fruits, approximately 12-15cm in diameter and just under 1kg in weight. The orange flesh is sweet and juicy; one member was so keen to praise it that she contacted us immediately after sharing it with a friend, describing it as, “utterly delicious, the nicest melon we have ever eaten.”
Collective Farm Woman
This Ukrainian heirloom variety produces tasty fruits which, when mature, have orange skin and very sweet, whitish-yellow, crunchy flesh. Most will be 500-600g in weight, occasionally achieving 1kg in optimum conditions. This variety is well adapted to Northern latitudes and reputed to ripen well, even in colder climates!
Green Nutmeg
'Nutmeg' was the name of one of the oldest melons known and, though it once referred to a definitive type, years of cultivation provided numerous variations. Cucurbits of New York (1935) states that Green Nutmeg is one of the earliest of these variations and the description they offer matches the one in the HSL Collection. When fully ripe the fruits have yellowish-brown skin with greenish-brown 'netting' and soft-textured, juicy, pale green flesh with a fantastic aroma. Does well in a cold frame or polytunnel, and outdoors in warmer areas.
Cambridge Multipod
This variety dates back to at least 1945 and was sent by Allman Brothers Ltd, Nurseries, to Wisley for trial in 1947. A maincrop, dwarf variety growing to around 45cm in height. Produces white flowers and blunt, fibrous pods containing 4-6 peas in each. Wonderfully sweet straight from the pod, and tasty when cooked too.
Carters Battleship
Bred by British seedsmen Carters, of Raynes Park, London. The 1.5m plants produce masses of white flowers followed by pods borne in pairs. Don't let their relatively small size put you off, they are packed with peas! Let us know what you think of the flavour.
Cukor Borsikosai
One of the many varieties donated by John Yeoman, the name of this variety translates from the Hungarian as sugar peas. It produces medium-sized plants, 1-1.4m in height with white flowers and pods containing up to 8 peas. Let us know what you think of the flavour.