ican Chef’s Best Vegetable Seeds
Modern varieties of vegetables are higher yielding, better tasting, more disease resistant and more uniform than older varieties.
Our garden experts have carried out extensive trials and sought advice from vegetable seed specialists in NZ and internationally, to find the very best varieties for the NZ home gardener. We have chosen 15 of the very best vegetables for you under the ‘ican’ brand.
The majority of these varieties are hybrids where there has been a focus on breeding for;
- Superior Taste
- Improved Pest and Disease Resistance
- Increased Vigour and Yield
In addition, hybrids have the benefit of being consistent and reliable. A number of the varieties are also more compact, and faster maturing, which results in a larger range from less space, and the ability to produce more crops through the season. Many are ideal for raised planter beds and container gardening.
For the novice gardener or the experienced – ican seeds answer the question…
Which variety should I grow?
If it’s available in ican – that’s the one to sow
Beetroot – Red Lightning
- Sweet and tender.
- Uniformly sized, deep red, globe shaped roots.
- Strong, vigorous, early maturing, upright grower.
- Rich in minerals, vitamins, dietary fibre, and a unique antioxidant.
Broad Bean – Mr Green Seed
- Broad beans that look good and taste good.
- Remain green after cooking.
- Rich in minerals, vitamins A & C, and dietary fibre.
Carrot – Europa
- Best carrot available.
- Fast, strong germination with vigorous growth.
- Excellent resistance to disease, fungus, and ‘bolting’ to seed.
- Long, straight carrot rating very high for taste.
- Rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and antioxidants.
Corn – Tender Sweet
- Extra tender and full flavour.
- Very tender husks that do not get stuck in your teeth.
- Strong germination and vigour with early maturing.
- High disease tolerance.
- Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and dietary fibre.
Courgette – Leader
- Smooth, shiny dark green courgettes.
- Upright grower means easy picking of fruit.
- Good resistance to virus and powdery mildew.
- Ongoing vigour and disease resistance means a continuous supply over a long period.
- Rich in minerals, potassium, antioxidants, electrolytes and dietary fibre.
Cucumber – Prolific Mini
- Prolific producer of small, 10cm long fruit.
- Fruiting starts earlier than other varieties and continues producing for months.
- Shiny, smooth skin with intense flavour.
- Great in containers with adequate moisture.
- Rich in minerals, vitamins, potassium, antioxidants, dietary fibre and electrolytes.
Dwarf Bean – Supreme
- Straight, glossy beans set high on the plant for easy picking.
- Fleshy beans with excellent flavour.
- Shorter at 12-14cm long, well suited for cooking whole.
- The fast maturing, high yield is spread over 2-3 weeks from each sowing.
- High disease resistance.
- Rich in minerals, vitamins A & C, and dietary fibre.
Leek – Baby
- Fast growing – ready to eat 8 weeks from planting out.
- Best harvested when finger’s thickness.
- A great space saver as they are compact and can be planted close.
Lettuce – Trendsetter
- This cos type has become popular for modern salads.
- Crisp, green hearts.
- Easy to grow and space saving.
- Early maturing and holds well.
- Resistance to downy mildew, sclerotinia and aphids.
- Rich in vitamins, minerals, folate and dietary fibre.
Parsnip – Trafalgar
- The best home garden parsnip yet developed!
- Long, straight parsnip with strong flavour.
- Good canker resistance.
- Strong, vigorous germination and rapid growth.
- Sow in September, November and February for an almost year round supply.
- Rich in minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and dietary fibre.
Pea – Magic
- Dark green pods with 10+ peas in a pod.
- Vigorous growers and high yielding.
- Excellent resistance to fusarium and powdery mildew.
- Large climbing tendrils with upright growth, requiring minimal support.
- Rich in protein, vitamins, antioxidants and dietary fibre.
Pumpkin Buttercup – Dry Delight
- The original dry, flavourful buttercup pumpkin pried by chefs!
- Sweet, nutty taste.
- Vigorous, heavy cropper of large, uniform fruit.
- Rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and antioxidants.
Radish – Olympus
- Best radish available!
- Vigorous, consistent variety.
- Medium-large round roots with a pleasant taste.
- Fast maturing.
- Disease resistant.
- Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, electrolytes and dietary fibre.
Spinach – Nutriplus
- The most nutritious of vegetables.
- ‘Nutriplus’ is a vigorous hybrid with uniform, consistent performance.
- Strong germination and fast maturing.
- Resistance to downy mildew.
- Rich in minerals, especially iron, vitamins, folate, antioxidants and omega 3.
Tomato – Flavoursome
- A new hybrid taste sensation!
- Medium sized fruit with early ripening.
- Keeps well.
- Excellent resistance to virus and soil fungal diseases.
- Vigorous, tall growing plants.
- Rich in minerals, potassium, vitamins – especially lycopene, antioxidants and dietary fibre.
ican ‘Chef’s Best’ Superior Vegetable varieties
Hybrid seeds cost more, but they have a high germination vigour, providing reliability – you don’t need to sow extras.
Once the sealed foil sachet is opened, seed begins natural deterioration and frequently has a lower germination rate the following season. With ican we have a sensible number of seeds in each packet (according to species) to provide plenty for one season.