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Growing tasty vegetables easily

There are many vegetables you could grow - but what to choose and how do you grow them?

Firstly ensure you grow what you like out of the many types of vegetables available, if you are new to vegetable growing then pick some easy vegetables to start and review the section on the best vegetables to grow as there is little point/ reward in growing ones you can cheaply buy unless flavour and 'organic' are your drivers.

To grow good vegetables the soil preparation is important both in ensuring the soil is in good condition and that an appropriate seedbed is prepared.

Then the all important decision comes of when to plant. Be guided by your local conditions and suggested planting times as well as what it says on the seed packet.

It is important to follow best practice on planting as seeds require different conditions to germinate and grow well dependant on the species and variety. You may find it is best to grow them indoors or in a green house initially and transplant later.

Once established the plants need care and regular watering and regular weed control to ensure they are free from being swamped.

With some time and care you too will be able to enjoy eating your own fresh delicious tasty vegetables. ENJOY!

To ensure best germination of your precious seeds it is good to plan ahead. Many seeds need some warmth so need to be sown inside, but warmth can encourage fungi like fusarium that stop seeds germinting and kill newly emerged seedlings so ensure your pots/ seed trays have been washed and disinfected since last season and you use fresh seed compost.

If you, like I, have a problem with birds/ mice/ slugs eating pea/ bean seeds that are sown outside then start them in pots/ trays/ a section of gutter and transplant them later being careful not to disturb their roots.

Don't plant your brassicae too early or they often bolt and flower early depriving you of a crop and forcing late replanting that never does as well.

• healthy vegetables - benefits for us all, vegetable gardener or just consumer
• vegetable book - recomended reading, a new section that will grow to suit all tastes
• types of vegetables - an overview of the types of vegetables available and their needs
• vegetable transplants - the reasons, benefits and ways to grow transplants

The Asparagus is great - a real indulgence! Two weeks left until mid June for cutting.

We are still eating 2007/8 leeks and chard.

Globe Artichoke are ready to eat as too are small Little Gem and Lollo Roso lettuce - yum!

The sown/ planted early crops of beetroot, potatoes, carrots, peas, shallots, garlic ... are well advanced and looking healthy.

Now the risk of frosts has passed it's time for the curcubits (melon, courgette, outdoor cucumber and butternut squash) sown in April to be planted out in early June. So too can the dwarf french beans, climbing beans and sweetcorn that are growing well.

New season brassicas (we like curly Kale and Purple sprouting broccoli and red cabbage and calabrese) have been sown in short rows and have emerged and will be grown for transplanting later.

This spring has been a poor year for some seed germination; 50% for sweetcorn, 30% for beans and 0% pumkins, which will mean re-sowing is necessary. I'm still waiting for parsnips to emerge after a month.

Sadly the unusual lovely hot sunny weather of April has been replaced by dull gloomy low cloud and rain of late - poor for one's spirits but good for growing I suppose!

My first experiment with a true board edged raised bed has been constructed at much effort compared to the usual raised earth beds. It will be used for the next sowing of carrots.

I'll up date you on progress during the season.

Best wishes and happy vegetable gardening.

Colin (easy-vegetable-gardening.com)