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large clods. If necessary, incorporate some well-rotted manure or garden compost to improve soil texture and fertility.Transplant the leeks into the ground when they're about 15-20cm tall. Use a broom handle to make holes 15-20cm deep and about 15cm

StringMeasuring board (optional)February - May30 minutesFebruary - MarchUsing string as a guide and a trowel or draw hoe, dig a shallow trench about 15mm deep.Sow seeds individually along the row or in groups of two or three at regular intervals, about 10cm apart. You

, the best results come from growing plants on a windowsill indoors or in a greenhouse. Large fruited varieties such as 'Black Beauty' should yield three to six aubergines per plant. Smaller fruited varieties like 'Fairy Tale' will produce at least 10

about 1cm apart. Lightly cover with a thin layer of compost then stand pot or tray in water to moisten.When the seedlings are a few inches tall, prick them out and transplant into fresh compost. Once established, transplant seedlings into the garden, 10-15

.Most peas are best grown with support, such as pea netting or twigs. They are pretty enough to grow in ornamental borders so they're worth growing even if you don't have a vegetable plot.Pea seedsSeed compost if sowing indoorsRoot trainers or toilet roll

Learn how to grow your own supply of tender, succulent peas, in Monty's video guide. Monty recommends a particularly good long-podded variety and shares advice on soil preparation and seed spacing.springMore on growing fruit and vegRead Jane Moore

Plant runner beans now and these vegetables will thrive in the warm, moist soil and quickly twine up their supports. At this time of year you can still sow seeds, which will produce a good harvest of succulent pods, or you can buy young plants

Find out how to grow salad leaves from seed in a container, in Monty Don's step-by-step video guide, including tips on compost and spacing.springMore on raising crops from seedRead Pippa Greenwood's blog on growing salad leavesGrow salad leaves from

Nothing beats the taste of freshly-picked sweetcorn in late summer and growing your own couldn't be easier. Sow your own seeds or buy young seedlings to plant now and grow them in a block on the veg plot. Or use them decoratively, planting them

Sarah Raven offers advice on which tomato varieties to grow, and demonstrates how to sow tomato seeds in coir pellets.springMore advice on growing tomatoesGrowing tomatoes in pots and grow bagsGrowing tomatoes from seedGrowing tomatoes outdoors