December is the perfect time for gardeners to dream and plan for the upcoming growing season. As winter’s chill sets in, grab a warm drink, settle into a cozy spot, and browse the Irish Seed Savers 2025 Seed Catalogue to discover the varieties you’d like to grow in the new year.
This planning phase is essential for choosing the crops that suit your garden, climate, and culinary preferences, whether it’s heritage tomatoes, vibrant flowers, or hardy root vegetables. By starting early, you’ll have plenty of time to research, order your seeds, and map out your planting schedule, ensuring a productive and rewarding gardening season ahead. If you’re itching to dig in, four fantastic crops to kickstart your gardening season are Chilli Peppers, Sweet Peppers, Leeks, and Onions.
Chilli Pepper – February is the ideal time to sow chilli peppers indoors, giving them a long growing season to produce their fiery fruits. These heat-loving plants require warmth and patience but reward you with vibrant, spicy peppers that can elevate any dish. Check out the four varieties in the 2025 Seed Catalogue here – ranging from the medium Rezha Macadonia, Guatamalan, and Mexican to the fiery hot Rocoto.
Sweet Pepper – For those who prefer a milder flavour, sweet peppers are a must-grow. These colourful vegetables are versatile in the kitchen and thrive with a similar growing method to chillies. Varieties to try include Lipstick, Peperone Friarello and the new Pebrot Blanc de Berga. View them all here.
Leek & Onion – Leeks are hardy, slow-growing vegetables that benefit from an early indoor start. These allium family members are perfect for soups, stews, and casseroles and thrive in cooler climates. Try Hannibal or Monstrueux d’Elbeuf for flavoursome heirloom leeks. Onions can be started indoors in February. Starting onions from seeds rather than sets allows you to explore a greater variety of type from sweet to pungent. Our 2025 Seed Catalogue offers six varieties to choose from including the ever popular Buan onion from the Irish heritage collection.
Starting seeds early indoors allows these crops the extended growing time they need to mature and produce a bountiful harvest. It also ensures that your garden will be ready to transition into full swing when warmer weather arrives. So grab your seed packets, compost, and pots—and get ready to grow!
