Danielle Bayless, chief operating officer, Quintain Living, said: “Warm windowsills and sheltered balconies are ideal for sowing seeds and tubers at this time of year.
“Gardening is a great way to connect with nature and can be an excellent mindful activity.
“Putting in a little work now will also reap big rewards when it comes to enjoying a wealth of summer and autumn flowers.”
Now is the perfect time to plant seeds such as sweet peas, according to the pro, which can be sown into pots and placed in a sheltered outdoor spot.
Hardy annuals such as sunflowers can also be sown outdoors, as can poppies and cornflowers, both of which “deliver a delightful burst of colour”.
The expert added: “Half-hardy annual seeds – such as cosmos and petunias – won’t quite be ready for the great outdoors yet but will fare well in a propagator or in pots on a sunny windowsill.
“Starting them off indoors means they can start to grow before you plant them out when the weather warms up later in the season – or keep them inside to brighten up your home.
“Dahlia tubers can be planted indoors now as well, before being planted out in the summer.
“Dahlia tubers can be dug up in the autumn, to clean, dry and store in a dark place over winter, before planting them again in spring, ready for another year of blooms.
“It’s not just flowers that will benefit from an early start. Chillies and tomatoes will thrive on a sunny windowsill, ready for planting out in a few weeks.
“Starting them from seed now can deliver fresh produce from mid-summer right through to the autumn.
“Potatoes are another good choice for growing on balconies and can be sown outside in pots in March.
“Potato bags with flaps that open for easy harvesting are a great choice for balconies, while large pots will also work well.”
There are also several types of edible flowers that will grow happily on a windowsill or balcony.
This includes nasturtiums, marigolds, love in the mist as well as pansies.
The expert said these can add a touch of “exquisite colour” to rooms, balconies and plates.
