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has been the traditional day for many keen show growers to sow their onion seeds, in a heated propagator in the greenhouse (not in the garden, of course). Do onions really have to be sown on Boxing Day, or could this just be an excuse to escape from

Learn how to improve the condition of your soil by sowing rye seeds to create green manure, with Monty Don's video demonstration and advice.summer and autumnMore advice on improving soilHow to mulch beds and bordersFeeding plantsImproving soil

Video advice on growing salad leaves from seedHow to plant out lettucesHow to deal with lettuce grey mouldGrowing quick salads in gutteringHow to sow seeds indoorsHow to grow rocket from seed

Free-draining compost or cactus compostSilver sandNewspaperSheet of glassPencil (to prick out)Seed trayall year round20 minutes to sowFill a broad terracotta pot with a moist, gritty, loam-based compost, such as John Innes. Firm down and make the surface level

folding over the base and sliding the paper off. There are also simple, wooden pot-making kits available to buy.Make batches of differently-sized pots so that you have plenty to hand as the seed-sowing season gets under way, and look for other things

patch, be sure to allow sufficient space for the fully mature crop.Pumpkin seedsSmall potsSeed compostHeated propagator or warm windowsillWell-rotted manure or compostVented bell clochemid-March to mid-June18-22 weeks from sowingSow seeds individually

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

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

A greenhouse or polytunnel allows you to grow a wider range of plants, and extends the growing season. Once the structure is in place you'll need to kit it out with a few essential items, listed below.You’ll have more success raising your own seeds

Ensure a burst of spring colour by sowing polyanthus seeds in the previous summer. Watch Monty's video, including tips on compost and aftercare, to find out how.summerMore advice on primulasHow to rejuvinate primrosesBrowse primula varieties