Basil: Position in a bright spot on the windowsill or a heated greenhouse. It’s best to use free-draining compost. Broad beans: This tasty veg can be sown early this month if you choose a hardy variet

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Torta salata, or savoury pie, is a mainstay for on-the-go eating in bars in Tuscany and is also served in slices as an aperitivo or as a starter for dinner. I love it as it’s stuffed with aromatic gre

This rocket variety offers large leaves with the distinctive peppery taste you would expect. They are slower to run to seed than some of their counterparts, and have good heat tolerance. Sow outdoors,

A new Christmas tradition has emerged over the last few years as the supermarkets engage in a price war over veg. When a bag of carrots costs as little as 8p, it’s worth buying extra and getting creat

How to mix perennials and grasses to stunning effect