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Find the best place for your vegetable plants so that your vegetable growing is more successful
Most vegetables grow best in a sunny position. If you have a shady spot then you can still grow crops such as endive, lettuce, radicchio, peas and spinach. Others will grow, but probably not to their full potential - especially fruiting crops. Shelter from cold and strong winds is beneficial - essential for crops such as aubergines and peppers - and will also ensure better crops of vegetables like peas and beans. Try to choose a position away from large trees and hedges, as these will compete with your vegetables for water and nutrients, as well as casting shade.
We have produced a handy vegetable planner to help you decide what to do and when for each crop. Download the vegetable planner (199kB pdf)
Want to know where to find seed of a specific vegetable? View our vegetable seed suppliers list (pdf 981kB)
Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9
Seed-sowing techniques
Watering vegetables
Soil preparation
Planning a vegetable garden
Mulching vegetable gardens
We're a UK charity established to share the best in gardening. We want to enrich everyone's life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.
