If you wish to get the most out of your plot or you are limited for space but still want to grow more vegetables, then you should try a few techniques which will help increase the production of plants.

First of all, you could try intercropping. This involves growing two different types of crops in the same plot of land, together. There should be one fast growing crop, such as small lettuces, spinach or radishes and one slow growing crop, such as sweetcorn, leeks or parsnips. The faster of the two can be harvested before the slower one grows bigger and fills up the now empty space. You can also grow tall crops and short crops together, for example sweetcorn with small lettuces growing around them underneath. Be mindful though to leave adequate room to harvest smaller plants when they are ready. When carrying out this technique, it is best if you mark out squares on your plot and distribute seeds evenly between the spaces, preferably planting taller plants in the corners of the squares and shorter ones spread out in the middle. Separate any bunched up plants once they have grown to a healthy height.

Another technique includes catch cropping. This is where you fill up any currently empty spaces with fast growing vegetable seeds. This could be done in late spring and early summer before you plant out winter cabbages and leeks, or when you have lifted out early-season new potatoes before you use the ground to plant hardy kale or Japanese onions. This way, no ground goes to waste and there is always something to be harvested or planted. Both techniques are extremely quick and easy to do and will ensure that you get the most out of your plot of land.     

May is the prime time to start transplanting seedlings into bigger pots and moving them outside. You should be sure though that there are no chances of a harsh frost occurring and you should check that your soil is not waterlogged. Before you plant straight outdoors though, you should continue to harden seedlings off as they will not take well to the sudden change in temperature. Vegetables to be planted outdoors are squashes, brassicas, chillies, peppers, artichokes, potatoes, sweetcorn, rhubarb, marrows, Florence fennel, celery, leeks, peas, tomatoes and kohl rabi. These plants should be able to start to grow and produce crops for you to use, however, be prepared to protect them with cloches or cold frames if you know that there is a frost coming. Cape gooseberries, cranberries and strawberries are the few fruits that can now be transplanted outside and as before, you may need to protect them against frost.   
         
Written by Matthew Thorns