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Have you heard of ‘Cool Flowers’? If not then you definitely need to! These flowers are not just cool in every sense of the word – they’re a real game-changer for all flower lovers. But let’s start at the beginning.

Summer is just getting going – but this is precisely the time when you need to be thinking about winter. Because if you want to be harvesting your own crispy-fresh, home-grown veg when it’s cold outside then mid-June is when you can leap into action. While tomatoes, courgettes and cucumbers are growing it’s the start of the key sowing period for many winter vegetables.

The Three Sisters is one of the best-known traditional companion planting techniques. It involves growing sweetcorn, beans and squashes together in the same area. Which may sound like there’s nothing much to it – but in fact this is a sophisticated growing system that evolved over many years using three crops that complement each other in functional ways. The sweetcorn grows tall, providing a climbing support for the beans. The beans fix nitrogen in the soil via symbiosis in their root system, providing extra nutrients. The squashes spread across the ground, shading the soil and helping to retain moisture. The result is a plant system that protects the soil, uses space efficiently, and yields several crops at once.

Traditionally seeds are sown quite densely in seed trays and then transplanted into small pots or modular planting trays after they have germinated. This process is called ‘pricking out’

Spring is approaching and with it the anticipation of the first harvest. However, the weather does not always cooperate - late frosts, cool nights and strong winds can take their toll on delicate young plants. A particularly simple and effective method for bringing the harvest forward is to use preserving jars as protective covers. These small "mini greenhouses" create an ideal microclimate and help plants to grow more quickly.

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.