In My Seed Box For 2027 - Beans

 

Since 2013 I have grown a number of different types & varieties of Beans, but this is what I have in my seed box for 2027

Self Saved & Seed Circle - Bean Seeds last 5-8 years with good storage 

Some of these beans go back a few years, and in 2027, I'm going to sow them all and see which ones are still viable. The greenhouse climbing frame has been up in the corner of the plot 1 and has been used 3 times over the last four years as I could not get down the allotment in 2026 

Self Saved Seed Stock

Lazy Housewife (Climbing French Bean)  Originally from D.T.Brown 

Review Of Seed Stocks in Packets Sow By 2025

Black Knight (Runner Bean)      - 20 Seeds - £ 3.99  - Suttons - Packed YE 2022

Organdi (Dwarf French Bean) - 100 Seeds - £ 2.80  - Mr Fothergills - Packed YE Jul 2023  

   

Review Of Seed Stocks in Packets Sow By 2026

Black Knight (Runner Bean)          -  20 Seeds - £3.99  - Dobies - Packed YE 2023

French Dior (Dwarf French Bean) - 120 Seeds - £2.99 - Dobies - Packed YE 2023

Sunshine (Climbing French Bean) -  45 Seeds - £3.49 - Dobies - Packed YE 2023

Review Of Seed Stocks in Packets Sow By 2027

Dwarf French Beans 49p Collection

Capitano - 10 Seeds - 49p - Seed Megastore - Packed YE 2026

Faraday - 10 Seeds - 49p - Seed Megastore - Packed YE 2026

Martini - 10 Seeds - 49p - Seed Megastore - Packed YE 2026

Montano - 10 Seeds - 49p - Seed Megastore - Packed YE 2026

Nautica - 10 Seeds - 49p - Seed Megastore - Packed YE 2026

Purple Queen - 10 Seeds - 49p - Seed Megastore - Packed YE 2026

Stanley - 10 Seeds - 49p - Seed Megastore - Packed YE 2026

Tendergreen - 20 Seeds - 49p - Seed Megastore - Packed YE 2026

      

Growing Selection for 2026

My annual runner is normally Scarlet Emperor as they normally provide a good yield and a single panel in the wall at Mill Green Allotment provides me with ample runners for my needs but also for passing on to my sister, eldest daughter and our neighbour.

Now I have additional beds in on Plot 1 and the greenhouse climbing frame in the corner of plot 1 for 2027 I will try some of the French climbing beans as well as Nun's Belly Button, Vermont Cranberry & Pickwick on the French and Bush Beans, which are old seeds I still have in my collection.

In My Seed Box For 2027 - Index

In My Seed Box For 2027 - Chard

 

"Chard," most commonly referring to Swiss Chard, is a leafy green vegetable related to beetroot, known for its nutritious, colourful, and edible leaves and succulent, crunchy stalks. The leaves can be eaten raw in salads when young or cooked like spinach, while the colourful stalks are often cooked separately. Popular varieties like Rainbow Chard showcase vibrant stems in yellow, pink, red, and orange, and it is an easy-to-grow, "cut-and-come-again" crop providing a continuous harvest.  

I have a couple of packs of out of date seeds, and really need to replenish my Chard seeds, so keep an eye on this page and see what I source.

In My Seed Box For 2027 - Index

More Veg Collections That Can be Grown Now

More Veg is another one of my go too seed suppliers, excellent germination and value for money quantities of seeds for a reasonable cost.

 
For those of you that have little idea what to grow in September consider the two collections I have purchased today 

Autumn Oriental Collection and, 

Super September Collection. 

 

Autumn Oriental Collection

September can still give us some gorgeous warm days, but there’s usually a point when you suddenly fancy something hot for dinner rather than another plate of summer salad.

That’s where these five come in.

Pick the young leaves while September is still feeling summery and you’ve got plenty of fresh crunch for salads and sandwiches. Let them grow on and, as the evenings get cooler, out comes the wok, frying pan or saucepan. A quick steam, a speedy stir fry, a bowl of soup... suddenly the same patch of garden is earning its keep in a completely different way.

Get them sown while there’s still some warmth in the soil and you can keep picking fresh leaves as autumn settles in.

Komatsuna Comred: rich ruby-red leaves and contrasting green stems that look rather fabulous on the plate. Pick them young for salads and sandwiches, then shred the bigger leaves into a stir fry or give them a quick steam. (100 seeds).

Minutina: succulent, crunchy young leaves with a flavour somewhere between parsley, spinach and kale, but sweeter and nuttier. Add them to salads while they're small, then sauté or steam the mature leaves or pop them into soups and stir fries. The flowers and buds are tasty too. (100 seeds).

Mitsuba: delicious lobed leaves with nutty overtones and tasty stems. Young leaves and seedlings are lovely in salads or used as a garnish for soups. As they mature, add the leaves and stems to rice, fish or egg dishes right at the end of cooking. (50 seeds).

Mustard Leaf Green in Snow: a vigorous & generous grower with a long season of deliciousness. Small leaves are sweet, herbal and slightly cabbagey with just a hint of spice, making them perfect for salads. Leave them to get bigger and the heat develops, ready for cooking up a storm. (50 seeds)

Pak Choi Tatsoi: those glossy spoon-shaped leaves are lovely picked young for a simple salad with spring onions, chives and vinaigrette. When cooler days arrive, cook the leaves, juicy stems and even the flowering shoots. (50 seeds).

Sow once, then let the autumn weather decide what's for dinner!

Super September Collection. 

There’s an awful lot of goodness wrapped up in gardening.
There’s the time spent outside, the bending, stretching, digging and carrying. There’s that bit of peace and quiet for your head while your hands are busy. And then there’s that lovely little “I grew that” feeling when you wander back indoors carrying something for dinner.

And, of course, there’s what ends up on your plate too.

These six bring plenty of flavour to the table, with vitamins, minerals and fibre tucked in there too. Some will give you fresh leaves surprisingly quickly, while others are an investment in meals still to come. Eat them fresh, steam them, sauté them or cook them gently. There’s something rather satisfying about knowing you grew them.
Never underestimate the goodness of gardening

Cauliflower All Year Round – autumn sow, overwinter and enjoy next year. Yes, these take time. Yes, they taste divine. And yes, there’s a huge pat on the back waiting when you finally carry your own cauliflower into the kitchen! They’re a good source of vitamin C and fibre too, so there’s more than great flavour hidden in those white curds. (18 seeds)

Chicory Brussels Witloof – one of the finest and tastiest winter salads or try braising the small whole heads in butter. Chicory also contains inulin, a prebiotic fibre. Something rather special to be harvesting when the winter garden has gone decidedly quiet. (40 seeds)

Leaf Beet Rhubarb Red – a ‘must have’ for the winter garden.  Seeing those vivid crimson stems out there makes me feel better just looking at them! Packed with vitamins and minerals, these are versatile, tasty and beautiful. And they’re easy to grow! (40 seeds)  

Purslane, Winter – this winter green can give you a quick crop, then resprout so you can cut it again. You get a mild, fresh taste with a slight tang and succulent crunch, with leaves, stems and flowers all edible in salads or as a cooked veg. Oh, and there’s plenty of vitamin C tucked away in there too. (100 seeds)

Spinach Giant Winter – this fantastic variety has large tasty dark green leaves.  A real workhorse in the garden, sow it now and it can give you hearty goodness in the depths of winter, with iron, fibre, and vitamins thrown in for good measure. (50 seeds)

Turnip Snowball – sow now for greens and tops that can be cut and will shoot up again. They taste fantastic sautéed with garlic and onions and a splash of cider vinegar, or simmered in a savoury stock. Nutritious, delicious and coming straight out of your own garden. That’ll do nicely! (100 seeds)
Get sowing. There’s an awful lot of goodness waiting to grow!

In My Seed Box For 2027 - Pak Choi

Review Of Seed Stocks in Packets Sow 2027 

Pak Choi Red - 25 Seeds -  42p - Seeds To Suit - Sow by July 2027  

Another easy and fast to grow variety but the purple reddish top and bright green stem make it stand out. Can be used as baby leaves in salad or left to mature and used in a stir fry. Cold weather only enhances the colour 

• Progress sow from March through to October. Young plants may need some protection in very cold weather 
• Days to germination : 7- 24
• Optimum soil temperatures  10C and above.
• Seed Spacing 16cm 
• Row Spacing: 60 - 80cm 
• Plant Spacing: 30 - 46cm
• Location: Sunny 
• Moderately hardy and can be sown as soon as the soil is workable through to late season 
• Direct sow as transplanting is not recommended 
• Keep soil moist to prevent bolting 
• Progress sow every 2 - 3 weeks for continuous harvest 

• Spacing Guidelines
  Full-sized plants: Space 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) apart. This gives 4 plants per square foot grid.
  Baby leaves: Space 10 cm (4 inches) apart or about 9 plants per square foot
  Rows (traditional gardening): Space rows 30 cm (12 inches) apart.
  Planting Depth 8mm

Pak Choi White Stem  - 50 Seeds -  62p - Seeds To Suit - Sow by June 2027

Easy and fast to grow. This Chinese non headed cabbage reaches 20 - 25cm and produces tender , loose spoon shaped leaves with thick white ribs. Perfect for oriental dishes and salads  brings a crisp and mild flavour to the table. Ready to harvest in around 45 days  

• Progress sow from March through to October. Young plants may need some protection in very cold weather 
• Days to germination : 7- 24
• Optimum soil temperatures  10C and above.
• Location: Sunny 
• Moderately hardy and can be sown as soon as the soil is workable through to late season 
• Direct sow as transplanting is not recommended 
• Keep soil moist to prevent bolting 
• Progress sow every 2 - 3 weeks for continuous harvest 

• Spacing Guidelines
  Full-sized plants: Space 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) apart. This gives 4 plants per square foot grid.
  Baby leaves: Space 10 cm (4 inches) apart or about 9 plants per square foot
  Rows (traditional gardening): Space rows 30 cm (12 inches) apart
  Planting Depth 8mm

Review Of Seed Stocks in Packets Sow 2028 

Pak Choi Red - 25 Seeds -  42p - Seeds To Suit - Sow by June 2028 

Another easy and fast to grow variety but the purple reddish top and bright green stem make it stand out. Can be used as baby leaves in salad or left to mature and used in a stir fry. Cold weather only enhances the colour 

• Progress sow from March through to October. Young plants may need some protection in very cold weather 
• Days to germination : 7- 24
• Optimum soil temperatures  10C and above. 
• Location: Sunny 
• Moderately hardy and can be sown as soon as the soil is workable through to late season 
• Direct sow as transplanting is not recommended 
• Keep soil moist to prevent bolting 
• Progress sow every 2 - 3 weeks for continuous harvest 

• Spacing Guidelines
  Full-sized plants: Space 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) apart. This gives 4 plants per square foot grid.
  Baby leaves: Space 10 cm (4 inches) apart or about 9 plants per square foot
  Rows (traditional gardening): Space rows 30 cm (12 inches) apart.
  Planting Depth 8mm

Pak Choi White Stem  - 50 Seeds -  62p - Seeds To Suit - Sow by June 2028

Easy and fast to grow. This Chinese non headed cabbage reaches 20 - 25cm and produces tender , loose spoon shaped leaves with thick white ribs. Perfect for oriental dishes and salads  brings a crisp and mild flavour to the table. Ready to harvest in around 45 days  

• Progress sow from March through to October. Young plants may need some protection in very cold weather 
• Days to germination : 7- 24
• Optimum soil temperatures  10C and above. 
• Location: Sunny 
• Moderately hardy and can be sown as soon as the soil is workable through to late season 
• Direct sow as transplanting is not recommended 
• Keep soil moist to prevent bolting 
• Progress sow every 2 - 3 weeks for continuous harvest 

• Spacing Guidelines
  Full-sized plants: Space 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) apart. This gives 4 plants per square foot grid.
  Baby leaves: Space 10 cm (4 inches) apart or about 9 plants per square foot
  Rows (traditional gardening): Space rows 30 cm (12 inches) apart.

Growing Pak Choi from seed

Seeds should be sown 1cm deep in finely raked, moist soil. To ensure plants produce miniature Pak Choi, sow seeds in a grid pattern 5cm apart and 10cm between rows. To extend your harvest, seeds can also be started off earlier or later than stated if grown in a greenhouse border.

Growing Information

Seeds should be sown 1cm deep in finely raked, moist soil. To ensure plants produce miniature Pak Choi, sow seeds in a grid pattern 5cm apart and 10cm between rows. To extend your harvest seeds can also be started off earlier or later than stated if grown in a greenhouse border.

In My Seed Box For 2027 - Index

Tidying Up The Patio & The Small Shed

 

Kelly helped me tidy the patio up and bag all the detritus I manged to get out of the small shed at the back on the right yesterday. She then took it all down the dump, so I have a clearer working environment on the patio.

I continued to fill bed 6 with windfall apples and leaves from the trees swept up from the paths.

I trimmed back the agapanthus and added the cuttings to bed 6.

Bed 6 with windfall apples and leaves from the agapanthus and trees swept up from the paths.

Bed 5 Olla's to be added to this bed and Worm Tower in the middle

Bed 4 now with a layer of vermiculite and mulch compost to be mixed in with the power planter and terracotta watering spiks to be uses. Worm Tower to be installed in the middle of the bed . 

In My Seed Box For 2027 - Radish

 

I see these as not really needing a bed of their own but as squatters/ row markers at the end of other vegetables like Parsnips and carrots that take a time to germinate and show where they have been planted. 

With good storage conditions Radish seeds can last between 5 - 8 years and with most companies only allowing 2 - 3 years between the packing date and the sow by date, I have seeds for quite a few years to come. 

Prices are at the time of purchase and not current. 

Review Of Seed Stocks in Packets Sow 2024

De dix huit jours      –     2g Seeds -    20p – Lidl - Sow by 12/2024

Saxa 2                    –     2g Seeds -    20p – Lidl - Sow by 12/2024

Vienna F1                - 2g of Seeds -    40p - Lidl - Sow by 12/2024

Felicia - Dobies       - 300 Seeds - £ 1.99 or 900 Seeds - £3.00

10% Discount on Seeds To Suit using code MANVSLUG10 at checkout

Review Of Seed Stocks in Packets Sow 2025

Sparkler 3               –   460 Seeds -    50p^ – Wilko - Sow By 2025

Whitella F1             –   300 Seeds -    50p^ – Mr Fothergill's - Packed year ending Jun 2023

Winter Watermelon Red Meat -  50 Seeds - 49p - Seeds To Suit - Sow By 2025 

^ Bought in wilko 50% Seed Sale for 25p         

Review Of Seed Stocks in Packets Sow 2026

New to Suttons for 2024

Royal Purple          –   200 Seeds -    £2.49 – Suttons - Sow By 2026   

Review Of Seed Stocks in Packets Sow 2027 - 2028

Black Spanish Long  –   50 Seeds -  49p – Seedmegastore saved July 2026

Winter Watermelon Red Meat - 50 Seeds -  92p - Seeds To Suit - Sow by July 2027 

Alphabetical Listing of varieties previously grown 

                                            Sowing            Harvest

Breakfast Mix                     Jan – Oct         Mar - Nov 
Bright and Spicy Mix          Mar – Sept       April -  Oct

Cherry Belle                       Mar – July        May - Oct
De dix huit Jours                Mar – Nov        May - Oct

Eiszapfen                           Mar – Sept       April -  Oct

Felicia                                Mar – Sept       April -  Oct     

Flamboyant 3                     May – July         July – Sept

French Breakfast 3            Mar – Sept       April -  Oct - Unwins

French Breakfast 3            Feb – Sept       April – Oct - Mr Fothergill

Icicle (Long White)            Feb – Sept       April – Oct

Royal Purple                      Mar – Sept       May -  Oct

Saxa                                   Mar – May        May - Oct

Scarlet Globe                     May – July         July – Sept

Sparkler 3                          Feb – Sept        April – Oct

Vienna                                Apr – Aug         May - Oct

Typical Notes about Radish 
   
Suitable for indoor and outdoor growing

Sow at 4 Week intervals

Prefers a moist well drained soil in full sun

Sowing Instructions

Sow thinly, 10mm (1/2” deep) deep in drills 300mm (12inch) apart in soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Water the ground regularly especially during dry periods.

Growing Instructions

When large enough to handle, thin out seedlings to 25mm or 1 inch apart. Keep plants cool and moist to prevent running to seed.

In My Seed Box For 2027 - Index