GROWING marvellous marrows and perfect peas has never been easier thanks to the efforts of a former science teacher.

Malcolm Greenhalgh has worked as a writer since he gave up his job at Leigh College as head of biology and his new book, Grow Your Own in Lancashire, is a guide to growing fruit and vegetables in the north west.

“I have been a keen gardener since childhood and especially enjoy growing fruit and veg so a friend told me I should write a book to encourage people to grow their own in Lancashire,” said the 67-year-old.

“You can buy a bag of salad for £1.50 from the supermarket or for £6 you can buy a bag of seeds that grown on a kitchen window sill will last a year.”

Malcolm’s book is the first guide to growing fruit and vegetables in the area by educating readers on how to deal with clay soil, which plants to choose for the best results where you live and when to sow and harvest different crops.

And by Lancashire, Malcolm means the former county - including parts of what are now Merseyside, Cheshire and Yorkshire.

Leigh Journal:

Malcolm, of Brignall Grove, Lowton, added: “I am member of Newton-le-willows Gardening Association and as anyone will know if they have been to one of our weekend demonstrations will know that I like to experiment and take a more scientific approach to my gardening.

“I am a big fan of Gardener’s Question Time but over the years I have become more and more exasperated by the southern bias of this and nearly every other gardening programme or magazine.

“So I decided to balance things out a bit and write for us northern gardeners, sharing advice and tips on how to get the best of the land in Lancashire.”

Grow Your Own in Lancashire can be found on Amazon or at C&D Books in Leigh Indoor Market.