It’s not a good idea to use rainwater collected from the roof of the house or the greenhouse to water seedlings. It can spread a number of pests and diseases.

Keep a full watering can in the greenhouse and allow the water to reach room temperature before using.

Always check the instructions on the seed packet for the right advice about the plants you are growing.

1.  

   Step 1.

   Fill several clean 7.5cm (3 in) flowerpots with John Innes Seed Compost. Lightly firm down. Water the compost using a watering can with a fine rose (nozzle) attachment.

2.  

   Step 2.

   Sow the seed directly onto the compost surface, spacing it as evenly as possible. Sprinkle a thin layer of compost over the top. Label carefully with the plant variety and the date.

3.  

   Step 3.

   Large seeds can be sown individually in small pots. Make a hole with a dibber or pencil and drop the seed into it. Cover over with compost.

4.  

   Step 4.

   Water gently and keep in a frost-free place until the seeds start to sprout and grow.

With all crops only attempt to store those that are in prime condition.  Any damaged crops can easily spread disease to others, ruining an entire harvest.

Apples; Wrap in tissue paper and store in crate or on shelves allowing the air to circulate.  Store in a cool and dark place.

Borlotti & French Beans; When the wet weather sets in cut plants and hang upside down somewhere dry until pods and beans have dried.  Collect beans and store in a dry container

Carrots; Store unwashed carrots in crates of damp sand or in paper sacks to keep the light out.

Chilli Peppers; Pick any chillis left on the plant and dry in the oven on the lowest setting possible overnight

Garlic; Pull up bulbs and dry for a couple of days in sun before storing in a cool and dry place.  Bulbs should remain in good condition for up to four months

Onions; Pull up bulbs and dry for a couple of days in sun.  Onions can be stored in pairs of old tights knotted between bulbs

Pears; Wrap in tissue paper and store in crate or on shelves allowing the air to circulate.  Store in a cool and dark place.

Maincrop Potatoes; Allow potatoes to dry for a couple of days in an airy but shady place before storing in Hessian or paper sacks in a cool and dry place.  It is important to remove all trace of potatoes from the ground to prevent blight from occurring in subsequent years.

Shallots; Lift bulbs and dry for a couple of days in sun before storing in nets

Squash, Pumpkins and Gourds; Pick at first frost leaves fruits with short stalks to help prevent rot.  If fruits are not ripe place in a light place for a few days to allow them to continue to ripen.  After this store in a cool and dry place.  Squash, pumpkins and gourds should store well throughout the winter months

Tomatoes planted with marigolds

Companion planting is a traditional practice used by organic gardeners and is used to protect vulnerable crops from pests and diseases.  By growing specific plants together it is possible to reduce the risk of pests or disease for a particular plant. Protection is achieved in one or more of the following ways:

• One plant may produce a chemical which repels pests certain pests
• Companion plants can be used to camouflage the crop you wish to protect
• Plants can be used to attract pests away from the crop you wish to protect, using them as a ‘sacrificial’ plant.

Below are some traditional examples of companion planting and how it works although there are many other combinations gardeners swear by:

• Carrots & Chives – The growing chives confuse carrot fly so it is less likely to attack the carrot crop
• Tomatoes & Basil – Basil helps to ward off white fly, a great tip when grown in the greenhouse & they taste nice together too!
• Broad Beans & Nasturtiums – Blackfly love nasturtiums so grow them by your broad beans to prevent your precious crops being attacked
• Cabbages & Nasturtiums – Nasturtiums will attract the caterpillars preventing damage to your cabbages
• Tomatoes & Marigolds – Plant marigolds with tomatoes to prevent aphid attack.  Marigolds can also help prevent tomatoes from slugs and wireworm

There are many other benefits to crop rotation too, legumes for example fix nitrogen in the soil whilst they grow and this is then available for the next crop. It is a good idea to follow these crops with leafy brassicas or potatoes which like a high level of nitrogen.

Potatoes also tend to smoother out weeds so they are unable to grow. Follow these with hard to weed veg such as onions.

Crop rotation does require organisation though and you need to be plan at least for the following 3 seasons. For the best results the further ahead you can plan the better.