When to plant: Tomatoes need six to eight weeks of warm weather to be truly fruitful. That means September onwards can be a good time to plant your seeds.

Tip: Wait until there is no more frost on the ground to plant, or plant them in a sheltered area.

How to plant: Tomatoes can be grown in a container, planter bag, pot or in the ground - they’re very versatile! To plant, start by adding a layer of good compost and then fill the rest of your container with soil. Then dig a deep hole and drop tomato seeds about 40cm apart. Your seeds will need heaps of sunshine and protection from wind, so place your pot near a wall or trellis.

How to care: It’s important to water your tomato seeds regularly so the soil stays moist - especially in dry weather. Consider adding a layer of mulch to help conserve water. As the plants grow and develop fruit, you will want to water more frequently.

Tip: Tomato leaves can be prone to fungus, so make sure you’re only watering at the roots, and not the leaves.

How to harvest: Your tomatoes are ready to harvest just before they’ve reached their full colour and are still fairly firm.

When to plant: Sunflowers can take up to 100 days to flower - in order to thrive they need lots of sunshine so they’re best planted between September and January.

How to plant: Sunflowers have long roots so they’re best planted in a deep container. To plant, start by adding a layer of good compost under your soil so your sunflowers will have plenty of nutrients. Then, plant your sunflower seeds about one knuckle deep and 20-30cm apart. Position your container in a spot with plenty of sunshine.

How to care: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged until the sunflower seedlings are established, usually in about 2-3 weeks. Once the seedlings are established, water less frequently, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. The most important ingredient is sun!

How to harvest: If you plan on cutting the flowers for a vase, trim about a centimetre off the base and make sure to replenish water every three days. You can also harvest sunflowers for their seeds when the flower heads have fully matured, and the back of the head turns brown. Hang the flower head upside down to dry, then remove the seeds from from the head.

When to plant: Lebanese cucumbers love warmth, so wait until the weather has warmed up and there is no more risk of frost. September onwards can be a good time to plant your seeds.

Tip: Cucumbers are sensitive to cold, so plant them in a warm, sheltered spot for the best results.

How to plant: Lebanese cucumbers can be grown in pots, containers or directly in the ground. Start by adding good compost and then fill your container with quality soil. Plant your seeds about 2cm deep and 30cm apart. Cucumbers like to climb, so give them a trellis or support to grow up.

How to care: Keep the soil consistently moist by watering regularly, especially during warm or dry weather. Cucumbers need plenty of sunshine and benefit from a layer of mulch to help retain moisture. As the plant grows, gently guide the vines onto their support.

Tip: Try to water at the base of the plant rather than over the leaves to help prevent fungal problems.

How to harvest: Lebanese cucumbers are best harvested when they are young, crisp and around 10–15cm long. Pick them regularly to encourage the plant to keep producing.

When to plant: Lettuce is a cool-season crop and can be planted from September onwards. It grows quickly, making it a great choice for getting your garden started in spring.

Tip: Lettuce can struggle in hot weather, so plant it somewhere that gets plenty of morning sun and some afternoon shade.

How to plant: Gourmet mixed lettuce can be grown in pots, containers, planter boxes or directly in the ground. Fill your container with good compost and quality soil, then scatter your seeds lightly over the surface. Cover with a very thin layer of soil and keep the seeds about 10–15cm apart once they start growing.

How to care: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially while your seeds are germinating. Water regularly and gently so you don't disturb the young plants. A layer of mulch can help keep the soil cool and retain moisture.

Tip: Lettuce grows best when it doesn't dry out, so keep an eye on the soil during warm or windy weather.

How to harvest: You can harvest lettuce leaves as soon as they're big enough to eat. Pick the outer leaves first and leave the centre to keep growing, or harvest the whole head when it has reached a good size.