Prepare a free-draining, sunny and weed-free bed to grow broad beans. Rake in blood, fish and bonemeal fertiliser to give the plants a boost. Plant the seedlings in a row, 15-20cm apart. Dig a hole an

Artichokes: Sow 13mm deep in a seedbed, with around three seeds per drill. Leave 25-30cm between drills and rows. You can sow in pots instead – just be sure to use good-quality compost. Asparagus: It’

Spread a bulky mulch on top of the soil surface around the base of young apple trees to condition the soil, hold in moisture and suppress weeds. This will all help the tree to establish well. Use well

Discover foolproof steps to growing plump, tasty bulbs

As winter eases and spring beckons, longer days bring the garden to life – and your growing year starts here…

There are some vegetables that thrive in the cold, but unless you aspire to self-sufficiency Tom Coward recommends caution when sowing very early in the year. “It’s a mistake, although we always do it