Over the last few days, the sudden drop in temperature might have sapped any enthusiasm you had for getting out in your garden in the spring sunshine.

However, it’s just the right kind of weather to snuggle up on the sofa with a pen, a notebook and some seed packets, and start planning this year’s crop.

“There are a few things you can plant at the moment,” says Tamsin Bent of Stroud Valleys Project (SVP), which manages four grow-your-own projects across the district.

“Swiss chard is quite hardy and can probably go outside if the weather doesn’t get much colder. You can also plant onion sets towards the middle of March.

“If you have a cool window ledge or a greenhouse, you can start some seeds there – salad leaves, tomatoes and peppers can all get a head start if you pop them in now and keep them damp – don’t over-water!

“Now’s the perfect time to mull over which seeds you’d like to plant in your plot. We have a large selection at SVP eco shop in the centre of Stroud and we’re always happy to give you planting and growing advice if we can, and you can buy seeds at supermarkets, garden centres and even some corner shops.”

Once your seeds have germinated and begun to grow, if you find they no longer fit with your plans or you decide you’d like to vary your planting, you can bring seedlings and young plants along to SVP’s Seedling Swap, which will take place outside the eco shop on Saturday 27 May.

Another change you can make in your garden is to create a wildlife pond. SVP are joining forces with Wild Stroud for a session on Saturday 18 March which will show you how to dig, plant and maintain a watery habitat for birds, animals and insects.

“Ponds provide vital habitats for many struggling species of wildlife and also make a really fun and fascinating addition to your garden,” explains Tamsin.

To find out more and book your place, email tamsin@stroudvalleysproject.org or call SVP’s office on 01453 753358.