IT was a pleasant start to the morning. I opened my mail, whooped with delight and danced up and down the corridors with joy.

I am sure that everyone else in the office at work thought that I must have won the Lottery or had been informed of a deceased rich relative or something. It was much better than that.

My seed order from one of the larger mail order nurseries had arrived. I grabbed the large bag and ran off to my office to investigate the contents. I think I even locked myself in and switched off the phone so that I could really savour the moment. I pulled the glossy packets out one by one. The photographs on the front paraded a medley of healthy, plump and almost 'naughty' fruit and vegetables.

I had concentrated on tomatoes this time. I am determined to grow, show, sell and eat as many different varieties as possible this year.

Last year we did a few of the yellow ones, and they went down well. They tend not to be as tart as some of the traditional ones. The smaller, slightly pear-shaped, yellow ones that grow in bunches were the most popular. They slipped so easily from vine to mouth and were also very easy to look after. Two years ago I tried green ones, but it was hard to tell when they were ripe. Most ended up falling to the ground, well past their 'eat by' date.

I am going to try other colours though this year as well. I shall be looking forward to the big, black ones. They are supposed to be firm and extremely good for salads. The pink ones apparently have more pulp than seeds and are therefore excellent for cooking. I am intrigued by the red and yellow stripy ones. They will complement the green and white ones.

The tomato with the funniest name though must go to 'banana legs' (although 'pink ping pong' isn't far behind). As its name suggests, it is a long, slightly bendy, yellow variety.

I am going to try green ones again, but this time a much smaller type that grows in trusses. The table wouldn't be set without a beefsteak or two either. Apart from making good stuffing shells, they usually produce the most hilarious mutated shapes.

For a bit of fun as well I shall be sowing some of the hanging basket type varieties. I find hanging baskets can get a bit tedious, the same plants and colours year after year. The masses of bright red tomatoes tumbling out of the containers should brighten things up.

Of course, all of this is five months down the line. They are all still ungerminated seeds at the moment. Anticipation is half of the appeal of growing your own crops. The rest comes in the pleasure of bringing a dried-up pod to life, nurturing it through several growing stages, protecting it from pestilence and seeing the first flowers bloom and set. I shall get my trainees on to it straight away.

JOBS TO DO THIS WEEK Clean and overhaul pumps POND pumps and fountains can be cleaned out, repaired and fitted with new filters ready for the coming season. Make sure to test (or get a professional to test) anything electrical.

Warm up the soil AREAS of bare soil that are ready for planting can be warmed up by covering it with polythene, cloches or even rows of cut-down lemonade bottles. This gives any seeds or plants a boost as they go in, and prevents the roots from going into shock.

Plant gladioli CHEER up a corner of the garden in late summer with a clump of brightly coloured gladioli. Bury the corms under the soil (four to six inches deep), and water well. Don't forget to mark the spot so that you don't plant over it.

READERS' QUESTION Mr Blackhall from Stockton has asked if I can tell him why his camellia did not flowered last year. It put on a wonderful display the year before, but last year the buds dropped off.

Most plants go through successions. That is, they show off one year and then have a rest. It is because they have put all their energy into creating a big display and simply need time to recuperate.

In the case of buds dropping off though there is usually a common cause. It most commonly occurs in years where the previous summer and autumn were dry. This is when the buds for next year's flowers start to swell. If they can't, or don't get enough water, then the buds don't form properly. They fall off in winter or spring.

As all camellias thrive best in an acid soil, the planting instructions often advise that you should use a peat-based compost. Peat, as well as being a non-environmentally friendly planting matter, tends to dry out really quickly, and forms a top crust which is hard to rehydrate. This prevents water getting to the roots of the shrub. Much easier is to only grow the camellia if your soil is naturally acid, and cover the base twice a year with a good home-made leaf mulch.

POST SCRIPT Brigid will answer any of your horticultural questions every Sunday lunchtime on BBC Radio Cleveland's 'Ask About Gardening', 12-2pm, 95FM. Send your questions to be answered in The Northern Echo to Brigid at brigidpress67.freeserve.co.uk or write to her care of Nature's World, Ladgate Lane, Acklam, Middlesbrough.

Published: 22/03/2002