Crapping to encourage more

Thele more you pickle the more plants produce.

Time to do: summer

Harvesting regularly throughout the season keeps plants producing more leaves, beans, pods and fruits.

Crops that aren't harvested quickly often stop producing, as the plants form seeds and complete their life cycle. Regular picking of crops makes them produce more and keeps them small and flavoursome, rather than big, old and tasteless.

Beans and peas need to be picked as soon as they're large enough, even if you only get a handful, otherwise the pods soon swell and turn stringy as the seeds ripen inside. The plants will then produce no more flowers and the pods stop forming.

Harvest courgettes every other day once the plant is in full swing, as a small courgette will swell into a huge marrow in no time at all. Salad leaves, such as cut-and-come-again varieties, rocket and chard, should be picked every week. Either cut them to Sam (2m) above the ground or simply pluck off the outer leaves, leaving the centre to produce more.

TIP Try to pick a little every day if you can, as crops develop swiftly during the summer months.