Lucy gets started on the most important tasks of the fortnight ahead lain

Fancy growing something a bit unusual? Then give chickpeas a try. They need a sheltered, sunny site with free-draining soil. Warm the ground with cloches or fleece before sowing. If you have heavy cla

FRUIT & VEG

There’s nothing quite like the taste of freshly picked salad leaves. Homegrown salads are fresher, more flavourful and far more varied than anything you’ll find in a bag bought from a supermarket. Whe

When I was brought up in a tiny village in Hampshire in the 1950s and 60s, even the smallest cottages had gardens big enough for large vegetable plots. I remember one January day walking into a neighb

Aubergines: You can start to sow this crop in February under cover in an unheated greenhouse. Broad beans: Now is a great time for under cover sowings in pots. Brussels sprouts: Use cell trays or litt