Vegetable gardens are getting more and more popular, whether it's as expansive as a full potato patch, or even just a little herb window box in a flat, Brits are fond of growing again,

with over one in four Brits saying they cultivate their own vegetable patch. As May marches on, if you're looking for a good time to start your own veg patch, or even grow some fruit,

the next few weeks will be key. Experts from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) spoke to PA media, and provided some key insights into the best ways to plant for success, as well as the

pitfalls to avoid along the way. We break down the best ways for you to start planting in June for long-term success. WHAT SHOULD YOU BE PLANTING? The risk of a late frost in the summer is

beetroot, lettuce and radish," says Edibles and Nursery Team Leader at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Joe Lofthouse. "These are very good to fill any gaps you may have in your vegetable

bed." Quick-turnaround vegetables like radishes and lettuce can mature in as little as four to six weeks. Successional sowing of fast growers like beetroot means you can maintain a

steady supply throughout the summer. Vegetables like lettuce or radishes can mature quite quickly, the typical turnaround being around four to six weeks. Planting other fast growers like

beetroot can allow you to have a supply of fresh food all through the season. Lofthouse continues: "I always do a second sowing of beans in June, planting them directly into the beds

and there are a number of other vegetables that can be planted this month, such as celeriac and celery." While they may take longer before you can enjoy them, celery and celeriac will

benefit greatly from the warmer planting condiitons, just make sure to keep on top of watering them. Other longer-term yields can come from climbers like runner or French beans, which can

still be sown directly into beds or large containers and will be ready by late summer. WHAT IS BEST FOR A BEGINNER? Everyone has to start somewhere! But if you’re new to gardening, your best

bet is to keep it quick and manageable. "I would suggest starting small and only growing what you like to eat," says Lofthouse. "Buying vegetable plants from a garden centre

is a good option to start with, as they will have a root system ready to be transferred into your vegetable garden. Root veg such as beetroots, turnips and radish are very easy to

grow." If you're keen to get stuck into gardening but find yourself short on space, a herb box is your best bet. Not taking up too much space, and able to add a whole other

dimension to your cooking, it's an easy and effective place to start. When growing gerbs, it’s best to use multipurpose compost and opt for terracotta or glazed ceramic pots, which help

retain moisture better than plastic. WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK OUT FOR? There are a few pitfalls that even experienced horticulturalists can fall into. Many are tempted to tend the garden while

the sun shines, but that can actually be counterproductive. "Avoid planting at the hottest part of the day," advises Lotfhouse, "I prefer to plant early morning or in the

evening when it is a bit cooler." In addition to the temperature, "If sowing directly, I would always water the drills before seed sowing, or water the planting holes before

planting, especially for crops like courgettes, squash and cucumbers, which require a lot of water." Especially in dryer weather, watering the plants and soil thoroughly before and

after sowing helps keep the plant nourished, and mulching around young plants can help them to retain moisture. "I would also recommend growing bolt-resistant varieties, as crops tend

to bolt [prematurely go to seed] if under stress by warm, dry conditions," explains Lofthouse. However, if you want some fruit to complement your veg, be warned, "It is best to

avoid planting fruit in June as they would require a lot of water." For leafy greens such as spinach or coriander, look for bolt-resistant varieties, which are bred to withstand hot

weather without prematurely flowering. However, there's some points that Lofthouse wants to hammer home, saying “The biggest mistakes are planting and then not watering, or growing a

large amount of one vegetable and not being able to eat it all,” says Lofthouse, “the plants will bolt.” To avoid food waste, it's best to plant in small, manageable batches with

succession sowing in mind to keep your harvest spread out across the season. SHOULD YOU THINK ABOUT OVERWINTERING PLANTS? In short, yes. Lofthouse says it’s best to think long-term by

planting overwintering crops now. Winter brassicas such as sprouts, winter cabbage and kale need a bit of a head start during the warmer months to establish strong roots before temperatures

drop. "June is a good time of the year to plant out winter brassicas," says Lofthouse. "I like to sow leeks into a seedbed outdoors and harvest baby leeks throughout the

winter."