June, and at last we can plant out all those tender vegetables that have been overcrowding the greenhouse for the last few months.

It will be a relief to plant out my courgette plants which, although sporting their first tiny fruits, are still in four-inch pots and looking decidedly leggy. Ditto the outdoor tomato plants that we sowed back in March.

In retrospect, it's easy to see that we sowed some seeds a bit too early - I wonder if I will have the patience to wait a little longer next year? I doubt it.

Growing vegetables turns out to be a good way of getting to know the neighbours and keeping in touch with old friends. I've been comparing growth rates with Ken-over-the-road for several weeks now, and have recently traded some of my tomato plants for a cucumber, basil and a couple of coleus.

We regularly discuss growing conditions, and boost each other's confidence on important decisions, such as when to plant out sweet peas, and when it might be safe to turn off the greenhouse heater.

Another friend, a retired head gardener like myself, has been showing me a new way of training indoor tomato plants, in order to get more fruit early in the season when it is most valuable. He recommends not pinching out the axilliary shoot beneath each of the first two flower trusses, allowing them to grow on and produce flowers and fruit of their own. In this way the plant is able to ripen more fruit lower down the stem, earlier in the season; the idea seems to make sense, so I will certainly be trying it out this year.

Remember the giant broad beans The Goodall', which I planted out in February and are supposed to reach up to six feet in height and bear up to 40 bean pods on each stem? They have reached an average of 2ft 4in so far. I have staked them with bamboo canes, perhaps rather optimistically, since they are not really much taller than my normal variety of broad bean (Optima), currently averaging 19in in height.

It may be that the recent dry weather has held them back slightly, but they are still growing so there's time yet.

The best thing about both varieties just now is the scent. It's well worth getting down on your hands and knees to sample the heady perfume of broad bean plants - I'm only surprised that none of the fashion houses has thought to bottle and market eau de bean'.

Jobs for the week:

_ Plant out tender perennials and annuals now that the danger of frost has receded. Put out hanging baskets, tubs and decorative pots.

_ Remember to water any trees or shrubs planted this spring, whenever the weather is dry for more than a few days. Water generously once a week rather than little and often.

_ Keep an eye out for vine weevil damage both in the greenhouse and outside. The adults eat notches out of leaves while the white grubs feed on plant roots, causing them to wilt suddenly. Water affected plants with Nemasys H, a biological control available from larger garden centres or from BCP on 01233-813240.