For crisp, sweet radishes plant seeds in a light, rich, friable soil and feed with a liquid fertiliser at half strength every two weeks to keep them growing quickly.
Parsley seeds can also be sown in a sunny or partly-shaded position in rich, well-drained soil. During germination don't let the soil dry out, keep moist.
Seeds soaked overnight in warm water tend to germinate faster.
Cauliflower seedlings planted now should mature in July and August.
SHADY BEAUTY
The delightful bulbous perennial with dainty white flowers Chionodoxa lucilia 'Alba' looks amazing planted in borders, as ground covers or in containers, especially when combined with colourful primulas.
A native of western Turkey and named after Lucile the wife of the Swiss botanist Pierre Boissier, this spring-flowering bulb excels in a partly-shaded position.
SWEET SUCCESS
Sweet peas do not transplant well so plant seed directly where they are to grow in a well-drained, sunny position.
If the soil is acidic, incorporate a good handful per square metre of dolomite limestone a few weeks prior to planting.
Sweet peas come in all sizes from the very small to the towering varieties.
Colourcade is an early variety in cheery mixed colours, Bijou is a low-growing type that suits smaller gardens while the tiny form Pixie Princess is a show-stopper in containers.
FALLING FOR FREESIAS
Freesias are grown for their exquisite fragrance and long flowering season. Plant the bulbs, pointy side facing upwards, five centimetres deep and five centimetres apart.
Freesias require good drainage and protection from the hot afternoon sun. It's important to keep the soil moist, not wet, during the growing season.
The trumpet-shaped flowers come in shades of white, yellow, pink, red and purple and make a stunning mass planting.
BENEFITS OF HUMUS
When soil is cultivated to the same depth year after year using a rotary hoe it can cause a sub-surface hardpan which prevents the free vertical movement of air and water though the soil.
To improve this situation dig in, by hand, plenty of humus in the form of well-aged animal manure or compost.
CUT BACK ON CURRANTS
Blackcurrant bushes can be pruned when they drop their leaves by removing the previous season's old wood and leaving the new season's wood as the fruit is borne on this new growth.
To distinguish between the two woods, old wood is darker in colour while the new is lighter.
Shape to open up the centre so the sun can shine through the shrub.
