Make vegetables a new year's resolution, expert urges

15:25 31st December 2010

New year is the perfect time for gardeners and greenhouse owners to start planting vegetables, according to one expert.

In an article for the Isle of Wight County Press, Richard Wright revealed starting off a plot in the first part of the year "will produce seedlings with a good root system ready to plant out in early spring".

He went on to state that his allotment neighbour swore by planting onions on Boxing Day, which produced some "remarkable results".

Always remember to sow seeds thinly and keep tray temperatures around 20 degrees C for the healthiest outcome, Mr Wright commented.

January is also a good point to buy summer-flowering bulbs, tubers and corms, as well as turning the compost heap to introduce plenty of air and carbon, he added.

The festive season is a great time to set out a gardening plan for the coming 12 months, Jane Shilling wrote recently in the Daily Mail.