Bulbs planted in autumn come to life now and deliver vibrant bursts of colour – a joy to see after the dark winter months. Daffodils (more on those overleaf) and tulips are enduring symbols of spring

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

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

As days grow longer, the urge to sow seeds is almost impossible to resist. But if you dream of overflowing beds, the most important thing to do now is plan the growing year to help you meet its sowing

In the last days of winter enjoy bright colour and flavour with forced rhubarb, brussels sprouts and purple sprouting broccoli

Time to wake up! Olga Grieves is getting busy as everything is springing to life