You may have been recently gifted an orchid, or perhaps you already grow a few among your houseplants. Spring is a good time to repot them, but only if they genuinely need it. A quick look at your plant will tell you whether it is time.

Does your orchid need repotting?

Orchids don't have large root systems, although they often produce long roots...

Whether roasted in olive oil, baked into a light cheese tart or topped with hollandaise sauce, asparagus has long been seen as a luxury vegetable. Young spears are picked when they’re at their most tender and full of flavour, and there’s only a short window to enjoy them each year. The harvesting season runs from late April to early June, and although bunches appear in shops ...

Fresh herbs give any dish a lift, whether you enjoy Thai, Italian or Moroccan flavours. Many are easy to grow and late March is the ideal time to start planting. Herbs vary a lot in how they grow, so understanding their different habits will help you make the most of your space.

Choose the right spot

Most herbs prefer a sunny place with well-dra...

Tuberous begonias are loved for their bold, colourful flowers from late spring through to the first autumn frosts. So it’s hard to believe these beauties start life as rather unattractive tubers.

Brown, knobbly and disc shaped, they feel dry to the touch and are covered in hairy roots. Some describe them as dried up lumps of dirt, others less kindly as miniature cowpat...

Onions can be grown from sets or from seed. Sets are quicker and easier but growing from seed has some real advantages. There’s a much wider choice available, including unusual colours and shapes. Seed is usually cheaper too. Seed-raised plants are also less likely to bolt than sets, particularly red varieties. The key is to start early – March is a great time of year. To get...