Gardening experts have warned to not plant vegetables outside this spring, explaining that there are only a limited number of them that will actually ‘thrive’. While springtime is the perfect time to start planting, choosing the right location and environment for your crops is very important.

One gardening expert warned not to sow vegetable seeds outdoors, as they won’t always give reliable results. Consumer site Which’s gardening editor Ceri revealed there are only two vegetables she would consider growing outside. In a recent TikTok video, Ceri said: “I would never sow veg outdoors apart from carrots and parsnips.

“You’ll get more reliable results by sowing in a module tray indoors and then planting out later. If you sow most veg outside, you’ll be wasting money.”

The Royal Horticultural Society explained that the method of sowing vegetables depends on the type of vegetables you’re looking to plant. It agreed that carrots and parsnips are perfect for ‘direct sowing’ outside, while other vegetables are sown undercover or indoors.

There are a number of ways you can plant vegetables, including ‘station sowing’, sowing in containers, or in greenhouses and tunnels. The best vegetables to be sown in spring or early summer in greenhouses or polytunnels include courgettes, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, sweetcorn and cucumbers.

The likes of aubergines prefer to be under cover all season, as do glasshouse tomatoes, melons and cucumbers. A benefit to growing crops under cover is that it can help extend the ‘growing season’ by making use of the warmer environment.

The RHS has also listed a number of problems you may encounter when planting vegetables, such as having seedlings ‘damp off’. Damping off is a disease caused by different fungi and fungus-like organises, which causes seedlings to collapse.

This can be a particular problem when sowing seeds indoors or under glass, due to a lack of air circulation, or in an environment that’s too humid or soggy. Other times seeds could fail to sprout due to weather conditions or faulty seeds.

You should also be aware that seedlings could fall victim to birds, slugs and snails, and even mice.

Best vegetables to plant in May

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to growing your own veg, GardenersWorld has shared a list of the best crops to plant this May. They include:

• Beetroot
• Sweetcorn
• Cucumber
• Sprouting broccoli
• Carrots
• Courgettes
• Rocket
• French and runner beans
• Basil
• Kohlrabi