MARCH is the month to get organised if you’re planning to enjoy your outdoor space to the max this summer – but when it comes to the green-fingered business of gardening, it can be a daunting task to work out where to begin.

Fortunately, leading housebuilder Taylor Wimpey, which is building new homes across the Bristol region, is on hand with some helpful hints to get your growing year off to a great start!

Don’t worry about those long-term jobs, like planting trees or shrubs – they’re best done in the autumn. Spring is all about making an impact this summer, whether you’re looking for lovely organic fruits or veggies, fragrant herbs or beautiful blooms.

Danielle Heard, Acting Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey Bristol, says: “With our experience helping people find the perfect property to suit their needs, we really understand how important gardens are for family life.

“We’ve come up with some simple ideas to get people growing and really making the most of their outdoor space this year – the key is to get started in plenty of time so they can sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labour this summer!”

• Easy peasy veggies

Choose vegetables that are expensive in the shops, taste better when they’re squeaky-fresh, and are comparatively quick and easy to grow. Salad leaves, courgettes, runner beans and peas are good, while once you’ve had corn on the cob fresh from the garden, it will never taste the same from the supermarket again!

• Fabulous flowers

Cornflowers, sweet peas, marigolds and nasturtiums are all easy to grow from seed and can all be sown directly into pots or flower beds outdoors to add some colour to the garden within a few weeks.

• Dates to meet

Once you’ve bought your seeds, check out the planting dates on the back of the packets and list them (a spreadsheet is ideal if you like that kind of thing!). Don’t leave it too late, otherwise your tomatoes – for example – won’t be ready to ripen in the hottest part of the year and you’ll end up with a crop of green tomatoes in the autumn instead.

• The perfect plot

Some seeds need starting off on a sunny windowsill or greenhouse, while others can be planted direct into a vegetable plot, flower bed or pot. The key thing is to provide your plants with good soil – remove weeds, add plenty of compost and dig it in well – in a spot which gets plenty of sunlight. Then you just have to keep it weed-free and water regularly!

• Thyme for a change

Creating a herb garden is a simple project that can instantly transform a corner of your garden – and add flavour to your cooking too! Herb plants are often available on multi-buy offers and can be planted in a large pot or planter close to the back door for easy access whatever the weather.

• Love your lawn

Mowing regularly keeps the lawn in good health, so once the weather warms up in early spring, you can start mowing. For the first mowing, set the cutting height to the highest setting and then for subsequent mowings, you can gradually lower it until your lawn is the height you want. When the soil is moist, you can also use a spring or summer lawn fertiliser – this will increase vigour and help prevent weeds and moss from establishing.