Johnsons to launch Eastern European veg seeds

Johnsons is set to introduce collections of Eastern European vegetables, quick-grow salads and wildlife-friendly plant varieties to its 2010 retail seed collection. 

The Welcome to Eastern Europe range will introduce 16 vegetable varieties that originate in the former Eastern Bloc and have been selected for their performance in UK conditions. Several of the plants are F1 hybrids, but winter-hardiness and pest and disease tolerance is a feature of many. 

The eight Speedy Salads varieties have been chosen to appeal to those who are new to growing, as many of them are harvestable after just 21 days. Johnsons said the range reflects the push to get children growing; it claimed that the seeds would be ideal to impatient children eager to see the fruits of their labour. 

Bees and Butterflies is a selection of 16 seeds that appeal to garden wildlife. Johnsons said the seeds will appeal to those concerned about the decline of bees and once-common butterfly populations. Johnsons added that the flowers have also been selected for their garden worthiness. 

All three ranges will include easy-to-follow planting instructions and a free plant label.