In early summer, sow seeds of beans, cucumbers, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips and swedes. Lettuce should be sown every two weeks for a succession of crops. When the soil is moist, broccoli, cauliflowers and celery may be planted out. Seedling leeks may also be planted out into individual holes.

As the summer progresses, keep harvesting peas and beans regularly to keep them cropping, and make sure they are never short of water. Pinch ('stop') their shoots out when they reach the top of their supports. Ensure that tomatoes, courgettes, marrows and cucumbers also receive plenty of irrigation.

Harvest courgettes and cucumbers whilst they are fairly small (about 20 cm or 8 in). This will keep them cropping. Do not allow globe artichokes to flower; cut them down as soon as the heads are harvested.

Towards the end of the summer, sow seeds of cauliflower and onions for harvesting the following year, and radishes, spinach and turnips for winter use.