Golden rules for growing veg

Nothing beats the taste of freshly picked vegetables that you've grown yourself. Here are our 10 golden rules for growing your own:

1 Prepare the soil well. Dig over the ground when it's reasonably dry to get air into it and loosen any compacted soil. Get rid of all weeds.

2 In the spring, dig in manure and compost to help retain moisture.

3 Raised beds save on digging as you don't need to walk on the soil. They also give good drainage and keep the areas distinct.

4 Wait for the soil to warm up in the spring before sowing seeds as they will germinate much faster than in cold earth.

5 To avoid a build-up of pests and diseases, and to replenish the soil, divide the vegetable garden into three - brassicas first, roots next and finally peas and beans - and rotate the groups of crops you plant in each space each year.

6 Position your veg patch in full sun and keep crops well watered for best results.

7 Pick courgettes frequently so they're young and tasty, and to encourage more crops to last you through summer.

8 ‘Cut and come again' varieties of lettuce are perfect for a pot in a small garden.

9 Keep your soil weed free by hoeing frequently between crops.

10 Add mulch to the surface of the soil around the base of plants to reduce the need for watering.

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