Gardening: Want a home harvest? Grow for it

Increasing numbers of Britons (as many as one in five) are choosing to grow their own at home, mainly because food prices are at a record high.

But if you are yet to get started, Andrew has put together a guide to ensure you can get the most out of your garden, and your purse, this year.

Position: Most vegetables grow best in a sunny position sheltered from strong winds

Soil preparation: To improve soil, dig in well-rotted manure, compost, leafmould, composted bark or mushroom compost. If growing in containers use good quality multipurpose compost.

Watering: For healthy, strong growth and the highest yields, plants will need a regular supply of water at the roots. Using water gels allows you to water less with optimum results.

Feeding: Add a general fertiliser a week or so before seed sowing or planting out. Additional light feeds throughout the growing season will be beneficial for many plants and those growing in containers.

Mulching: Covering the soil with a layer of compost, well-rotted manure or leaf mould will keep weed growth to a minimum, conserve soil moisture and help insulate plant roots from extremes of cold and hot weather.

Of course, not everyone has a garden large enough to grow fruit and vegetables for all the family to enjoy, but don't worry.

"There are great space-saving ideas for growing in smaller gardens," explains Andrew. "For starters, hanging baskets keep fruit away from slugs, leaving more for you to enjoy. Pots also allow you to grow fruit and vegetables not suitable for your soil and grow bags, on balconies or a terrace, are suitable for soft fruit. Strawberries do well in grow bags because of their shallow roots."

For more advice, why not attend a free master class at Dobbies? The next in the series, Tasty Tomatoes, is on March 31 at 6pm. Visit www.dobbies.com for details.