Sowing vegetable and salad seed for summer and autumn crops

Summer is a good time to sow quick-growing vegetables and salads, or crops for autumn. Rake the soil to a fine seedbed and lightly work in fertiliser if needed.

Sow thinly in drills. Use a cane to make a shallow groove at the depth on the packet. Cover the seeds and firm lightly. To reduce thinning, sow two seeds at each final planting position and remove the weaker seedling if both germinate.

Label and water. In hot, dry weather, try lining a slightly deeper drill with compost. Sow into the compost, water it thoroughly and cover with dry soil. Keep an eye on moisture while waiting for seedlings.