Lucy ponders some of the potentially exciting jobs for the fortnight ahead

Get a head start on your veg patch and borders by sowing slow-maturing seeds now. The new shoots will be a sign of hope in February’s dreary days

Pick sprouting broccoli shoots before the tight buds open into bitter, bright-yellow flowers. The ones you want for harvesting grow as short shoots coming from the upright main stems. They tend to be

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

Hardy herbs such as chives and thyme can be sown in a heated propagator now, but delay starting tender ones, like basil. Dig up and force small herb plants, moving them into a well lit, gently heated

Spring is arguably the season when a greenhouse becomes worth its weight in gold. Anyone who has ever tried to germinate seedlings on a windowsill and found their home overflowing with the resulting p