(14th January 2011) I have to agree with Fionnuala Fallon in todays Irish Times in that there is an “annual January ritual to lift the hearts of rain-soaked, wind-blown and winter-weary Irish gardeners everywhere, it’s the time-honoured practice of sitting down with pen and paper, a largish glass (or two) of wine and a neat stack of seed catalogues. Because when one feels about as much inclination to work out of doors as to go skinny dipping in the Atlantic ocean, ordering seeds is one of the few very necessary gardening “chores” that can be performed while seated snugly inside, preferably by a crackling log fire.”
In todays piece she highlights a number of recommended seed varieties from a number of vegetable gardening experts. I was delighted to see that we stock a number of them including some from the Brown Envelope Seeds range which are available both at the garden centre and through the online garden store.
Of the tomatoes that were listed we used to stock the distinctively striped tomato ‘tigerella’ however as an alternative there is the variety ‘Black Cherry’ with it’s exotic-looking, blackish-purple skinned cherry tomato with dark red flesh and a complex, exceptionally sweet and juicy flavour.
Of the lettuce varieties that were mentioned we have organic gardener Nicky Kyle’s recommendation of ‘Blonde Maraichere’ which is a heirloom variety and is available in our organic range for just €1.75. Lettuce ‘Outredgeous’ from our Brown Envelope Seeds range was recommended by Matteo Pettiti loose-leafed, cut-and-come again lettuce variety is a delight on the plate. We also have Matteos recommendation of Pea ‘Daniel O’Rourke’ which is a compact Irish heritage variety.
Our full range of seed varities including our organic and heritage ranges from Thompson & Morgan, Suffolk Herbs and Brown envelope seeds is available from the online shop