Another garden year is starting and let’s hope that the spring of 2017 will be kinder to us than the awful wet, cold spring of 2016 when it was a struggle to get started.

After a lovely winter so far, maybe there is hope. However, good or bad, some planting will take place to have early plants to transplant before the end of this month. I will be sowing seeds of lettuce and scallions in seed trays in the glasshouse, then in the first week of February I will be sowing seeds of tomatoes. I save my own, just a few seeds of each – money-maker, vine and a great little cherry variety that keeps producing all summer.

The name of this little wonder is Maskotha and it’s well worth a try. These are grown outdoors as well as Magic Mountain. Both of these produce large vines hanging down with fruit.

The seeds of that one are a bit expensive. The seeds are sown in good compost in flower pots and placed under radiators, kept just moist for about ten days or so, just as soon as the little seed sprout appears. I change the pots to a sunny windowsill indoors where they are not in a draught. I place a clear plastic bag over the pot, which helps them to get started. Don’t forget the flower borders as getting some seeds of your choice in now will make for sturdy plants later on. I have sweet pea growing pots that were sown last autumn. It’s not too late to sow for an early display as the mixed variety gives great colour and perfume. Some seeds can be sown now of cornflower and goddetia. These seeds sown in pots now will come in handy for filling gaps when the daffodils and other bulbs have died back.

California is a nice little flower but it is best to sow seeds straight into the ground as they do not transplant well. It is a great flower for the house as a bunch will last for weeks.

It is a good time also to sow roses and shrubs for summer flowering as it gives them time to settle in before summer flowering begins. Sometimes it’s hard getting back to the garden after the festive break, but there is an old saying that “to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow” – so get moving!

Here in the garden as I write this article, the snowdrops are showing everywhere. Soon it will be a cover of white and the daffodils are well up and won’t be long behind. A simple walk around the garden shows that spring is on the way. So all the best for 2017 and to those working on farms, keep it safe.

Email me at lilysgarden@gmail.com