Imagine your garden being full of fresh vegetables all year round.  The secret? A continuous planting plan, good crop rotation and effective plant combinations. The never-ending veg plot is a concept you can apply anywhere, whether you’re growing in a raised bed, a traditional vegetable patch or a balcony garden.

In old weather lore, and especially in continental Europe, mid-May brings a key annual landmark for gardeners known as the ‘Ice Saints’. This is the time, so it’s said, when you might see the last cold snap in spring – and after which even your tender plants can finally go outdoors. It’s when the long winter wait finally comes to an end! 

Late April onwards is the perfect time for starting squashes, courgettes and cucumbers indoors – on a windowsill or in a greenhouse. These warmth-loving species need sufficient time to develop into strong young plants before mid-May when the last frosts are over and they can be planted outdoors.

Winter is gradually departing, the first rays of sunshine are warming the earth – now’s the perfect time to get your garden ready for the new season.  March to early April is the ideal time to get your beds, raised beds and balcony containers shipshape and spring-ready.

Thinking about tomatoes this early in the year? Absolutely! Choosing the right variety plays a key role in producing a great harvest. With a little bit of planning you can start your plants early – and look forward to a bumper tomato season.

For chillies and similar heat-loving plants our Central European climate is a big challenge. With our short summers and frosty nights we have to take a radically different approach to growing them. Give these plants the head start they need by sowing them early – in January or February.