Lucy’s top tips

Only sow your seed early (February or March) if you can provide sufficient heat (min 16°C/60.8°F) – otherwise, it’s best to wait until mid-April.

■ Position plants in as warm and sheltered spot as possible, ideally in a glasshouse or in a cold frame against a sunny wall.

■ Don’t overwater young plants and ensure they don’t get chilled at night, or else they may rot and collapse.

■ Once temperatures are above 10°C/50°F at night, damp down plants each morning and feed weekly with tomato food.

■ When the plant’s main stem reaches 4ft (1.2m) tall, pinch out its growing point. This encourages sideshoots bearing female flowers.

■ Be