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, but it still seems so to me as I haven't grown many crops in it. Last summer all I had time for was a few chillies and some pak choi - both of which were fab.Then I took a chance in the autumn with some salad leaves and parsley, in the hope that they

urge to grow and flower profusely.My idea back in the autumn was to plant it with a few salad leaves such as mustardand rocket that might overwinter and give us some early, spicy leaves to make a few winter salads, as well as some parsleyto keep us

trumpets bursting open at tip of yellow courgettes are pure beauty – and yes, they are good enough to eat (deep fried in a tempura batter sounds appetising).Flowers adorn climbing beans, squash, tomatoes, aubergines, chillies, garlic chives and many more

.More on greenhouse growingRead Kate Bradbury's blog on growing auberginesGrowing tomatoes from seed videoGrowing chilli peppers from seedDamping down your greenhouseBrowse vegetable varieties

When growing edible crops, it is essential to use your plot efficiently, especially if space is limited. It’s no good growing an unusual variety with a tiny yield if it takes up space that could be used for a more productive crop – particularly

are swelling, garlic bulbs fattening nicely, and the first chillies and peppers almost ready for the kitchen.With the 'grow your own' year now in full swing, and more crops coming on stream each week, you begin to appreciate just how much can be grown, and how

.It seems wrong, somehow, to water pots and containers in damp, chilly weather, but they do need the occasional water when conditions are dry. I don't have any pots at the allotment — I'd never be able to keep them watered in the height of summer — but I do

bolts very quickly during hot weather, although the variety called 'Leisure' is worth growing as it's slower to bolt, providing more leafy pickings for longer. If your coriander does flower, you can use the crushed seeds in Indian cookery, but save some

attentive to plants, especially those in pots, baskets and growing bags. If compost is allowed to dry out plants soon suffer, and then the damage is done.Working gardeners away from home all day need to adopt growing plans that take the strain out

Well, thank goodness for greenhouses. I've practically been living in mine this month. It's been far too chilly to even think about sowing outside, and besides, I don't do frozen fingers.Under glass, though, it's all lovely and cosy, and I potter