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or outside, but require support and need their side shoots pinching out regularly.Plant growth and habit is only one characteristic, as fruit quantity, size, colour, quality and flavour are far more important. Now we get down to the nitty-gritty of choosing

laden with fruit, and the standard varieties have fruited so well that some of their stems have ruptured.I've seen the most impressive results outdoors, though. I don't often grow tomatoes outdoors, but this year I planted out leftovers from

they grow so well here, why are we importing them?If you look at the catalogues and garden centre displays, you'll see that most seed potatoes need planting from the end of March. Well, I'd recommend starting now. You can chit potatoes first but it

plans. Each plan contains an easy-to-follow growing calendar for 10 recommended crops. Simply choose which profile suits your circumstances best, and start sowing:• Allotmenteer• Container grower• Gourmet grower• New to the plot• Weekender

At last my achocha have been planted... later than I wanted, but time has been against me and I didn't fancy getting soaked in a July deluge! (Call this global warming?). I love the way unusual crops, like achocha, always get visitors to my garden

. And why not? Last weekend I made the most wonderful apple crumble I have ever eaten, using this BBC Good Food recipe (I ignored the instructions to add jam and orange juice to the apples).My garden might not be too small to grow apples, but its soil is too

This year I'm determined to only grow one variety of tomato. This is because my garden was overrun with tomato plants last year and I couldn't get onto my patio for growing bags and poorly staked cordons. So 2011 will see a more streamlined effort

to grow, and get started. A greater range of young plants and seedlings are now available than ever before, providing a good alternative to anyone who thinks sowing seed is tricky. However, you certainly pay for the privilege of buying plants compared

to continue growing. Plants can then be picked over for several weeks before becoming exhausted, and needing to be replaced. All they'll need is regular watering and the addition of an occasional liquid feed to encourage new growth.Salads also need sowing