Our journey...
3rd October 2025
Forgotten Garden Blog – October Update
So the greenhouse is cleared, the benches are ready, and the first trays of the season are already lined up. It’s the time of year that always makes me feel both nostalgic and quietly excited, the slowing down of summer giving way to the steady work of autumn.
If you’re getting your own garden ready, the SowRight Comfort Dibber is now available through The Forgotten Garden. It’s a simple, sturdy little tool that takes the guesswork out of sowing, and it makes a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves to spend time with their hands in the soil.
I’ll be sharing more about the autumn planting as it comes along, for now, I hope your greenhouse or garden is ready to welcome the season too.
The Forgotten Garden SowRight Dibber comes in 2 versions, both available on eBay (Comfort and Standard) and Esty (Comfort and Standard).
15th AUGUST 2025
August Garden Update – New Beds, Fresh Stock, and Thriving Crops
Things are moving along nicely here at The Forgotten Garden. This week, I’m excited to share a few updates from both the greenhouse and outside beds. First off, Lemon Sorrel is now available for sale. Fresh, vibrant, and packed with that sharp citrus tang, it’s perfect for adding a refreshing bite to salads, soups, or sauces.
I’ve also built a brand new raised bed, which will be home to my Caucasian Spinach and garlic. The bed is in a sheltered spot and topped up with rich compost, ready to give these crops the best possible start.
Meanwhile, in the greenhouse and garden, things are growing strongly. The Oca, Jerusalem Artichokes, and Tiger Nuts are all thriving, with healthy foliage and steady growth. These heritage and lesser-known crops are coming along nicely for future harvests.
It’s been a productive few weeks, and seeing these plans come to life makes me even more excited for what’s ahead.
Take care!
25th JUly 2025
It’s been a little while since the last blog post. I’ve just returned from a two-week holiday (a rare thing!), and in that time, the garden has been quietly shifting into its summer slowdown.
Most of the plants have now been delisted from the website. A few simply outgrew their pots, while others were close to missing their planting season. Rather than sending out tired plants that won’t perform well for you, I’ve made the call to stop sales until things are ready again.
Even Ewiger Khol, which I had planned to keep going on eBay, has had to be pulled. I came back from the break to find that caterpillars had enjoyed a bit of a feast while I was away and while they might be thriving, the plants themselves are looking far too ragged to sell. I’d rather wait and bring you healthy, vigorous stock next year than risk disappointing anyone with half-hearted offerings.
But the work doesn’t stop.
Over the coming weeks, I’ll begin autumn sowing, getting trays of seeds started so they can quietly stratify in the greenhouse over winter. This slow, natural process sets the stage for spring’s growth and it means we’re already laying the foundations for next year.
If you’re local and curious, the greenhouse is still open to visitors. You’re welcome to pop by, have a wander, and see what’s growing, even if it’s just rows of sleepy seed trays for now.
Thanks for sticking with me through the quiet patches. The garden might be taking a breather, but trust me — next season is already on its way.
7th JUly 2025
It’s been a quieter few weeks here, but things are still moving behind the scenes.
Right now, Ewiger Khol is in the process of being re-stocked. I’ve got a batch of smaller plants growing steadily, not quite ready yet and some larger ones that are re-rooting. They just need a bit more time to develop before I can take healthy cuttings to list for sale again.
Looking ahead, I’ll be re-potting two more varieties soon: Lemon Sorrel and Strawberry Spinach. The seedlings are nearly ready to transplant and, with a bit of luck, they should be available in a few weeks. Both are great additions for anyone looking to grow something a little different.
We’re also beginning the gentle wind-down of the season as August and September approach. This means looking ahead to which seeds will be sown for natural overwinter stratification, ready to sprout strong in spring. Planning now gives us a head start on next year’s plants and I’m excited about what’s coming.
Thanks for sticking with me during this slower stretch. The garden might be winding down a little, but there’s always something quietly growing just beneath the surface.
20th JUNE 2025
More goodies just landed in the shop today!
We’ve added three new plants for sale:
Salad Burnet Herb – A lovely perennial with cucumber-flavoured leaves, great in salads and herbal teas.
Meadowsweet – A historical medicinal plant with creamy-white flowers; a staple of medieval herb gardens.
Golden Orach Spinach (Purple) – A striking leafy plant with purple leaves; perfect for adding colour and nutrients to your garden and your plate.
All three are now live on the website and eBay to order. Stocks are limited as always, so if you’ve been waiting to try something new, now’s a great time. Every plant we offer carries a bit of history and a whole lot of potential. Thank you for helping revive these forgotten varieties.
And here’s a little teaser for next year: we’ve got 10 new plants lined up to join the shop. Most are rooted in the medieval era, full of story and utility but we’ve also got a couple of modern surprises in the mix that’ll make you say, “Oh, that’s a good idea.” Stay tuned!
13th JUNE 2025
We’ve reached a huge milestone, The Forgotten Garden is now officially DEFRA authorised! That means we’ve passed inspection and are now fully licensed to sell and ship plants with traceability and plant health compliance across the UK. This is a big moment for the project. It shows that what started as a small garden dream is growing into something legitimate, recognised, and trusted. It’s a symbol of all the effort, love, and patience that’s gone into every pot, every tag, every leaf.
To celebrate, I’m opening up the greenhouse for visits. If you're local or just fancy a drive out, you’re more than welcome to come and visit the greenhouse in person. You’ll be able to see the plants up close, chat about what’s growing, ask questions, or just soak in the greenery and fresh air.
Whether you're here for history, flavour, or just to connect with something real, the doors are open. Come see what’s growing.
If you'd like to visit, please text or call me on 07585 486034 before coming so I can make sure I'm here to let you in.
11 Peak Place, Hyde, Manchester, SK14 4WG
2ND JUNE 2025
It’s been a lovely, productive day in the kitchen and garden and I wanted to share something a little different. Today I cooked up a simple sauté using fresh Ewiger Khol leaves straight from the garden. Here’s the process in pictures:
- Chopped a bit of red onion and garlic.
- Washed and de-veined the Ewiger Khol leaves.
- Gave everything a quick chop.
- Fried the onion and garlic in a little olive oil.
- Added the greens and let them wilt down gently.
- Served it up warm—nutritious, earthy, and satisfying!
It’s always rewarding to grow something from seed, harvest it fresh, and turn it into something delicious. Ewiger Khol is so easy to grow and so versatile, it’s a brilliant addition to any perennial vegetable garden.
Ewiger Khol is now available in the website shop! And just as a heads-up, it’s cheaper to buy it here than through eBay or Etsy. If today’s recipe inspired you, grab a plant direct from the source, support the garden more directly, and save yourself a few quid too.
Happy growing and cooking! More updates soon.
27th may 2025
It’s another busy day in the garden and another exciting update for the shop!
I’ve just added Salad Burnet, Garden Orach, and Babington’s Leek to the website. These are all fantastic additions to our growing collection of rare and historical plants. The first two, Salad Burnet and Garden Orach are already growing well and should be ready to ship in around four weeks.
And… it’s finally time! Sea Kale is now available for sale. After weeks of careful growth, the plants are strong and ready to head out into the world. This one’s been a long time coming, and I’m thrilled to finally be able to share it.
UPDATE: Sea Kale - Wow—what a response! Our Sea Kale flew off the shelves and completely sold out within just six hours. Thank you to everyone who grabbed one! I’ve got 5 more growing steadily, but they’ll need around 3 weeks before they’re ready to join your gardens. Keep an eye out for their return—these beauties don’t stick around for long!
Everything is moving fast now, and it’s amazing to see the shop filling out with these beautiful, underappreciated plants. If you’re thinking of growing something unique this year, now’s the time to have a look.
Thanks as always for being part of the journey, more to come very soon!
22nd may 2025
Big changes are blooming at The Forgotten Garden!
I’ve now added the following plants to the shop:
- Rare Caucasian Spinach (Hablitzia tamnoides) – Edible perennial climber
- 4x Celtuce (Lactuca sativa var. asparagina) – Rare leaf and stem lettuce
- Dwarf Pea (Pisum sativum 'Tom Thumb') – Heritage variety with edible pods and peas
- 4x Red Amaranthus (Amaranthus caudatus) – Annual edible leaf and grain plant
Yes, that’s right, we now have a shop directly on the website, in addition to the eBay listings! This gives customers more flexibility in how they want to buy and helps support the business more directly.
We’ve got a couple more plant additions coming soon, so keep your eyes peeled. The garden is thriving, and I’m excited to get more of these rare and historical plants into people’s hands.
On the growing front, Sea Kale and Meadow Sweet are both doing well but not quite big enough to post just yet. They’re on their way though, and I’ll be sure to announce when they’re ready to go live.
Thanks for following along, your support is helping this dream take root and grow into something special. More updates coming soon!
14th may 2025
May Garden Update – Small Space, Big Results!
It’s been a busy, productive week here at The Forgotten Garden, and I wanted to give you all a peek behind the scenes at what’s growing, sprouting, and nearly ready for your own gardens.
Ewiger Khol – Small Space, Big Harvests
I've just cleared out a patch of my herb garden and replanted some fresh Ewiger Khol. The space is just 1.3m by 0.75m, but I’m proving that you don’t need a big garden to get great results. By staying on top of harvesting and not letting the plants go wild, even this tiny area can be incredibly productive. You can see how it’s coming along in the photos!
Jerusalem Artichoke & Oca – Future Harvest in Motion
The Jerusalem artichokes are powering ahead and should be perfect for harvesting at the end of the year. Even more exciting, the Oca tubers have just started to sprout! Keep your eyes peeled.)
Super Rare: Caucasian Spinach Incoming
I’ve added Caucasian Spinach to the website! These plants are super rare, shade-loving climbers that are perfect for permaculture setups and forest gardens. If you've been waiting for something truly unique, these will be available in approximately 2–3 weeks.
Dwarf Peas – Re-potted and Raring to Go
My Dwarf Victorian Peas are now re-potted and settling in beautifully. Give them about 2 weeks and they’ll be ready to head off to their new homes.
Celtuce & Red Amaranth – Growing On
I’ve also re-potted the Celtuce and Red Amaranth from their trays. They’re a bit delicate in the heat, but fingers crossed they thrive—they should be available soon too.
7th may 2025
Big update today!
I’ve officially listed Purslane, Tigernut, Cardoon, and Nasturtium for sale on eBay, with Etsy listings coming in a couple of days. This marks a big step forward—getting more of these rare and historical plants out into the world and into people’s gardens.
I’ve also taken the time to update the pictures for the Ewiger Khol listing. The original photos were from when the plants were around 8 weeks old, but they’ve come a long way since then. The new images show them at 12 weeks—healthier, bigger, and much more representative of what customers will actually receive. Accuracy matters, and I want everyone to feel confident in what they’re buying.
The garden is in full swing now, and things are picking up fast. With each listing and photo update, it’s becoming more real—The Forgotten Garden is growing into something meaningful. Thanks for following along, and stay tuned for more updates coming soon!
4th may 2025
Surprise Return: Ewiger Khol is back in stock and now available on eBay and Esty.
Just a quick update from the garden—our Ewiger Khol is officially back in stock, and much earlier than expected! Thanks to the incredible stretch of warm weather we’ve just had, these hardy perennials have bounced back with real vigour. I’ve repotted them ahead of schedule, and they’re already looking strong and healthy.
In other news, shoots have now appeared for Celtuce, Dwarf Pea, and Red Amaranthus—it’s starting to feel like the greenhouse is properly waking up for the season. The next few weeks are going to be exciting as more of the forgotten crops begin to push through.
Keep your eyes on the shop—more treasures are on the way!
29th april 2025
Just a quick update for everyone!
Ewiger Khol is currently sold out — but don't worry! The next batch should start trickling in over the next 2-3 weeks, so keep an eye out if you missed it this time.
Upcoming Plants:
Purslane and Sea Kale are progressing really well and should be ready for sale in about 4-6 weeks. I'm excited to get these listed as they're looking strong!
Tigernuts:
I currently have two Tigernut plants ready, but I'm holding off on selling them for now. I want to see if any more of the batch start growing—if these are the only two survivors, I'll need to keep them for next year's harvest.
Planting Update:
All seeds for every plant listed on the website are now in the soil! I'll keep you updated with their progress as they grow.
Thanks again for all your support — it's been an amazing start to the year, and there's so much more to come!
20th april 2025
Hello again, and apologies for the delay—it’s been a whole three weeks since my last update, and a lot has been happening here at The Forgotten Garden. Life’s been wonderfully chaotic, not least because we’re just days away from welcoming our second baby, due this Tuesday! So, safe to say, I’ve had a few extra things on my plate (and not just garden-grown ones).
That said, I’m thrilled to share that things in the garden are progressing beautifully. We now have 15 different varieties of plants officially in the soil, and I’m already seeing some very promising seedling growth popping through. There’s nothing quite like those first signs of life to remind you how special this project really is.
Even better, I’ll soon be adding a brand-new plant to the website:
Caucasian Spinach (Hablitzia tamnoides) – a rare, climbing perennial green with a rich historical background and an exciting future in forgotten gardens like ours.
At the time of writing, I can’t see anyone else selling established Caucasian Spinach plants on eBay—only seeds. And since it’s notoriously difficult to germinate, I’ve taken the stress out of it for you by doing the hard part myself. All you’ll need to do is give it a home and let it climb.
Thanks as always for your support and patience. I’ll be back soon with another update.
31st march 2025
Pictures left to right - 2 month old, First batch of 2025, 4 fully grown 1 year old plants example, example edible leaf.
Ewiger Khol – The First Batch Is Nearly Ready!
** UPDATE** Now available on eBay and Etsy. Check my shop for links.
We’ve been waiting patiently… and it's finally happening. The first batch of Ewiger Khol (a.k.a. "Perpetual Kale" or “Everlasting Cabbage”) is nearly ready to go live on The Forgotten Garden—with plants available from 9th April 2025.
If you’ve never heard of Ewiger Khol before, let me introduce you to your new favourite perennial. Unlike regular kale or cabbage, this beauty keeps on giving year after year with minimal fuss. No reseeding. No drama. Just a reliable leafy companion that’ll feed you through the seasons.
Why it’s special:
It’s not your average kale—it grows smooth, lush leaves more like a cross between a cabbage and collard green. Leaves are less frilly and more substantial, perfect for cooking, steaming or even eating raw in salads if you fancy.
The mature plant becomes a proper bush (as shown in my pics from last year)—a real centrepiece in the garden that earns its keep.
What you’re getting: You’ll be receiving a strong, healthy plant (see the baby batch in the photo gallery) that’s already well-established and ready for its forever spot in your garden. These aren’t seedlings—they’re real contenders.
Ready to ship from 9th April, just in time for spring planting.
Keep your eyes on the shop and be quick—this is one of those rare crops that doesn’t show up often, especially not grown organically and with love.
Drop a comment or message if you’ve got any questions about growing it—I’m always happy to help fellow growers get stuck in. Email me at info@theforgotten.garden
13th march 2025
Ok, It's been two weeks, and I'm starting to see some exciting progress. My Purslane and Cucamelon are sprouting, which is a great sign that things are moving in the right direction. Seeing those little green shoots push through the soil never gets old!
Beyond the garden itself, I've made some additions to The Forgotten Garden experience. From now on, every purchase will include a bamboo laser-engraved plant tag, a small touch to help you keep track of their plants in a natural and stylish way. These tags are durable, eco-friendly, and engraved with the plant's name to add a bit of charm to any garden.
Additionally, I’m putting together a full colour printed booklet featuring my favourite top 10 plants, a guide filled with growing tips, history, and interesting facts about some of the best plants I offer. This will also be included at no extra charge with every order from the 21st March (or sooner if the printers deliver them earlier).
I’m excited to keep improving the experience for my customers, making it easier and more enjoyable to grow these unique and forgotten plants. Stay tuned for more updates soon!
Seed Stratification & Early Planting – FIrst 2025 Update
To kickstart this season’s growth, I’ve placed several seeds in the fridge for cold stratification, including Alexanders, Good King Henry, Lovage, Skirret, Sea Kale, Scorzonera, and Turnip-Rooted Chervil. This process mimics natural winter conditions to improve germination when they’re planted in a few weeks.
I’ve also begun propagating Ewiger Khol, starting with a batch of 10 plants. Since this is a perennial that provides a continuous supply throughout the year, I’ll be ensuring a steady rotation to offer it for sale all year.
Meanwhile, in the heated greenhouse under grow lights, I’ve sown Cardoon, Lamb’s Quarters, Nasturtium, Tigernuts, Purslane, and Cucamelon. With the extra warmth and light, these should establish quickly, ready for transplanting once the weather improves.
More updates to come as things start sprouting!