Using raised beds can help the soil warm up quicker. If you have a cold, clay soil (which takes longer to warm up in spring) then early crops are tricky, but later crops should be abundant and need relatively little watering. It is usually better to top up with bought produce than have to discard plants that you have spent time and money nurturing, so erring on the side of caution is better than growing too much. Once you have listed what you like, decide how much of each you need, bearing in mind that produce that cannot be stored might end up in the compost bin.

Leeks, for example, are often relatively costly to buy, but onions are cheap, so growing your own leeks is more attractive than raising onions. But early potatoes, spring onions and baby carrots with their tops on are delicious, and their flavour and texture deteriorates with every hour that passes after harvest.ĭon't forget that where room is at a premium, you can grow most vegetables in containers.Ĭost also enters into it. It makes sense to grow your favourite vegetables and those where freshness is important. Unless you have a large vegetable plot or even an allotment it makes sense to plan what types of vegetables you want to grow gardens are generally too small and there's usually not enough time for most people to grow everything that they want or need. RHS Flower Show Tatton Park - 17-21 July 2024.

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival - 2–7 July 2024.

Malvern Autumn Show - 22-24 September 2023.

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