Sow thinly outside in early spring in a shallow drill 1.5cm deep by rows 23cm apart in a well-prepared seedbed. They can be transplanted into their final position after the potatoes have been lifted or the peas finished so much needed space during summer is not used, an ideal crop rotation veg. Cover lightly with soil. Water with a fine hose. Seedlings appear 14-18 days. Thin to every 3cm.

In summer when they reach the thickness of a pencil, dig them up carefully with a fork and trim the roots to 5cm. Insert each plant into a hole 15cm deep, made with a dibber. Ensure there are some leaves above soil level, but do not back fill the hole with soil. Just water in and eventually soil will wash down into the hole itself. Space plants every 15cm in rows 30cm apart. This is their final position.