Little green book

For organic seeds try Brown Envelope Seeds in Skibbereen, Co Cork (www.brownenvelopeseed.com, or 028-38184); The Organic Centre in Rossinver, Co Sligo (071-9854338 or (www.theorganiccentre.ie); or Thompson Morgan (from Mr Middleton in Dublin, www.mrmiddleton.com and www.thompson-morgan.com)

Most of these websites also have good advice on GYO. Irish Seed Savers in Scariff, Co Clare are good for unusual, native and heritage varieties (www. irishseedsavers.ie or 061-921856). Consider seed swapping with gardening friends to share costs.

Good, clean topsoil can be hard to track down, so ask any experienced gardener friends for advice.

Try Landscape Depot in Tallaght (01-451 2608). Expect to pay around €5 a 25kg bag.

For larger quantities, it’s much cheaper to get it delivered loose if you can put up with the mess – expect to pay around €60 a tonne (a tonne and a half of soil will fill roughly one cubic metre) plus €60 delivery charge.

It’s cheaper again if you can borrow a trailer and collect it yourself.

In Dublin, I get lovely, well-rotted manure from Liam Brannigan (086-3734519) delivered to the door for €5 to €5.50 a bag (price is distance dependent) but, if you live near a stable yard, you can sometimes get it for free if you’re prepared to load and collect it yourself. Just try to make sure that it’s well-rotted, which usually means digging down to near the bottom of the pile.

Railway sleepers are available from most good salvage yards and architectural suppliers.

In Dublin, I get mine from Deck Clad Salvage in Kingswood, off the Naas Road (01-459 5492) for €25 each plus VAT – delivery is extra.

Pressure-treated timber for edging (it needs to be 2cms to 4cms thick) is available from most large hardware stores.

For further reading, I highly recommend two books: Dr Hessayon's Vegetable and Herb Expert, which is full of useful advice, and the classic of all classics, Joy Larkcom's Grow Your Own Vegetables.