The joy of nurturing a plant from seed to plate.

THANKS to last year’s lockdown, grow your own has never been more popular and with restrictions set to continue for a while, prepare for a busy and rewarding time in the garden.

Many green-fingered recruits have also seen the value of greenhouses and protective grow tunnels. Last May, at the height of the lockdown, a leading greenhouse manufacturer, Hartley Botanic, reported a 35% increase in sales. Managing director

Tony Barry said: “The current experience is clearly changing consumers’ thinking… for many people ‘growing their own’ is the right choice for their own health and wellbeing, allowing them to feel more secure.”

Greenhouses, polytunnels and differently-sized cloches add an extra dimension to gardening.

They extend the growing season and let you grow crops that would be impossible in the open ground. It’s so satisfying nurturing a plant from seed to plate. There’s a much greater choice of seed varieties at a fraction of the price of young plants.

There are protective coverings to suit any pocket, from small cloches and gro-zones costing upwards of £20 to large well-appointed greenhouses.

If you plan to invest 3, 4 or 5 figure sums on a tunnel or greenhouse, decide whether the growing conditions suit the plants you want. Where will you site your structure for sun and shelter? Does it need foundations, electricity or a water supply?

For starters, when planning the layout, what space do you need for seed trays and young plants? Will you use beds or pots and gro-bags or a combination? Wherever possible, I always recommend a bed for most summer crops, including tomatoes and cucumbers. This helps with moisture retention, preventing

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Greenhouses allow gardeners to grow crops that would be impossible in the open ground