Easy seeds to sow now

Sowing quick-growing French beans, peas, endive, radish, rocket, mustards and tender herbs is a great way to fill gaps in the veg plot, but go for plants for an earlier crop. Mix in plenty of organic matter before sowing or planting, and keep up with watering during dry spells. 1 Herbs

Sow parsley, dill and coriander directly into the ground in a sunny, sheltered spot. Start basil in pots on the windowsill, thinning out seedlings. Always water basil at midday – it hates wet feet at night!

2 French beans

Climbing French beans can be sown outside. Erect a row of supports 15-20cm (6-8in) apart and sow one seed per cane. Apply the same spacing for dwarf French types, and sow in a selfsupporting block.

3 carrots

Carrots are so easy, and provide a rewarding harvest. When grown in pots, they escape the attention of carrot root fly, especially if teamed with sage and chives that deter the pest. Sow globeshaped ‘Atlas’ or ‘parmex’ into pots of loamy compost or ‘Adelaide’ or ‘purple Haze’ F1 in the veg plot.

4 salad leaves

Continue regular sowings of quick-growing, cut-and-come again salad leaves, spring onions, endive, radish and spinach. Top tip: sow in rows so you can spot any weeds.