Little harvests, more often

A vegetable patch rarely fills the basket all at once. Often it offers a handful of leaves, a few beans or one perfect tomato. Those small pickings are worth making time for.

Sow a little, then sow again

Instead of sowing an entire packet of lettuce or radishes at once, try a short row. Sow another small batch a couple of weeks later while the season and packet guidance allow. Different weather and varieties change the pace, so adjust as you learn.

Pick leaves with tomorrow in mind

For suitable loose-leaf salads, take a few outer leaves from each plant and leave the centre growing. Use clean scissors or fingers and avoid stripping a plant bare. Water afterwards if the soil is dry.

Don't wait for enormous

Beans and courgettes are usually tender when young. Check them regularly: a hidden courgette can become a marrow surprisingly quickly. Pick carefully to avoid pulling at the plant, and use a knife or snips for tough stems.

Make the harvest part of dinner

Take a bowl outside before you cook and see what is ready. Rinse your harvest well, keep leafy greens cool and use them promptly. Write down any glut, any gap and anything you wished you'd grown more of. That is next season's plan taking shape.