The first time I tried to plant potatoes was a total disaster.

There I was, crouching over a small trench in the garden, hands covered in mud. I had no idea what I was doing, and no idea how to pick up my book on vegetable growing without smattering the pages with soil. How deep should I plant them? Should I plant them on their side, length-ways, bottom-up, or top-up? And what should I do then?

So I decided to write the Good Growing Guide: a series of downloadable cards containing all the information you need for planting and growing, and no more. You can take these cards to the allotment, down to your veg patch, and glance at them as you work.

These cards are not a substitute for a big fat book providing all the information you need on cultivars and different organic growing techniques, but they give you everything you need to know when you’re in the thick of it.

And if this is your first time growing vegetables, they’re a great start.

If you need more detailed information, or inspiration on what varieties to grow, you’ll find more details on the Fennel & Fern website – just search for them. Or you can pick a book from the Fennel & Fern bookshelf which might help you.

I’ll be putting these cards online over the next few weeks, and you can always access them through the ‘Grow‘ section. Once they’re all published, you’ll be able to order the whole set in hard copy.I’m also very happy for you to add these to your own blog or site for people to download: these cards are for all gardeners.

I hope they’ll make your veg grow bigger, stronger and tastier.