12 crops to try (from top, left to right)

onions Easy to grow. Plant rows of onion sets in spring, in firm, well-drained soil in full sun. Prepare the soil in advance with well-rotted compost, as you don’t want a waterlogged heavy soil. Just remember to weed well. Ripened and ready for lifting by early to midsummer, store until early winter. squashes There are lots of different varieties – some summer, some winter. Sow in spring outside where they are to grow. Thin seedlings and keep the soil moist. Keep an eye out for slugs. Can be grown in large containers. artichokes Very easy to grow from seed in spring. They need a sunny, sheltered position in well-mulched soil. Not only are they delicious to eat, but the plants are spectacular with architectural silver foliage and large purple flowers if left unharvested. Give them plenty of room as they can spread to 1m. fennel Considered both a vegetable and a herb, sow fennel seeds as soon as the soil can be worked early in the season. Incorporate plenty of organic matter. Fennel is not difficult to grow and is a popular addition to organic gardens because it attracts ladybugs, which are natural predators of some of the most insidious garden pests. figs Plant against a warm, south-facing wall or in a container, standing on pot feet to prevent waterlog. Long-lived and needs sun to ripen the fruit. Figs are ripe when the stalk bends and the hanging fruit produces a droplet of sugar on the base. Plums Not difficult to grow but need a warm, frost-free spot in well-drained, moisture-retentive soil. Mulch in mid spring and thin out young fruit to avoid laden branches breaking. Fallen fruit is adored by butterflies so leave them a few. blackberries Easy to grow, blackberries are low maintenance and abundant in fruit. Plant between November and March. Water well in summer. Cut out the old fruiting wood after harvesting and tie in new canes in autumn. Yield is heavier if planted near other different cultivar. blueberries Delicious, high in antioxidants and easy to grow in acidic compost. Ideally plant in a sunny, sheltered spot, though they are tolerant of shade. Birds will also enjoy them so cover with a net as the fruits start to colour. aubergines Treat them much as you would growing tomatoes. Sow seeds in spring and place in a propagator or on a warm indoor windowsill. They need plenty of warmth, ideally in a greenhouse or cold frame. If you have a sunny, sheltered position you can grow them outside, and they are easily moved around if grown in a container. chives Cold hardy, but need well-drained soil. Both leaves and flowers are edible. Sow seeds directly into the soil as soon as it is workable. Chives are also very easily transplanted in case you want to dig up the plants and move them to another area. chilli Peppers Colourful and diverse, they are a favourite for growing in pots. The more controlled environment of a pot allows for easy weeding and watering. Most species of pepper respond well to sunlight and warm weather and attract relatively few pests. borage It is a useful annual herb for a sunny, sheltered spot, with delicate blue flowers that are a magnet for pollinators. Easily grown from seed and spreads quite rapidly. The leaves have a mild cucumber flavour and can be eaten in salads and soups or brewed as a tea, while the flowers are edible as well, in salads or frozen in ice cubes to brighten up drinks (note, borage should not be eaten by pregnant women or nursing mothers). Companion plant by tomatoes, aubergines and courgettes, good as a green manure, and also said to improve the flavour of strawberries.