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Discover the theory behind crop rotation, with Monty's back-to-basics video advice to giving optimum growing conditions for vegetable groups such as potatoes, legumes (beans, peas etc), brassicas (cabbages, cauliflowers, radishes), root vegebles

potato bagMulti-purpose compostPotato tubers - early and second early varieties are bestJune - August20 minutesRoll down the sides of the potato sack and add a 25cm layer of compost to the bottom.Lightly press the tubers on to the surface of the compost

, tie in the new growth when it has reached 10cm - 15cm in length. This will hold the shoot in place until the wood develops to stiffen it.When using string or garden twine, wind it once or twice tightly around the support and knot in place. Then wrap

Join Monty at Berryfields as he gives a definition of chitting potatoes and explains how chitting benefits the potato grower.springMore advice on growing potatoesBlog on chitting potatoes, by Jane MooreWatch Monty demonstrating how to grow potatoes in a binGrowing early potatoes,...

Make Halloween extra-special by growing your own pumpkins from seed. Learn how in this archive clip from BBC Gardeners' World (please note that the seed trial Monty mentions is no longer running).springMore advice on growing vegetablesGrow potatoes

and shrubs. If you're new to gardening, limit yourself to growing one or two types of annuals. Sow about 20 seeds to see how you get on. You can always sow more a week or two later.SeedsSeed compost Seed trays or potsPlant labelsPencil or waterproof pen

The warmth of spring and summer allows you to sow vegetable seeds outdoors in the soil. Here they'll quickly germinate to produce crops to enjoy this season. Try easy-to-grow salads such as radish, spring onion and salad bowl lettuce. You can also

Monty Don and Chris Beardshaw demonstrate how to sow a range of vegetable crops in a greenhouse, including chillies, cucumber and lettuce. Pick up tips on choosing compost, watering, spacing, preventing disease and covering your seeds

Sarah Raven offers guidance on planting tomatoes outside, with advice on choosing varieties that will ripen well in the UK climate, as well as those that grow well in hanging baskets.springMore advice on growing tomatoesGrowing tomatoes in pots and grow bagsGrowing tomatoes frGro...

in the year, to encourage them to put on growth before winter sets in. Space them at 10cm intervals in rows 20cm apart, and water well. If you don't have seedlings to plant out, you can usually buy plug plants from garden centres and mail order companies