VEGETABLE PATCH : A root day under a waning crescent moon — draw a drill 1 cm deep and sow carrot seeds 2 cm apart in rows 25 cm wide; once seedlings are established, thin to 5 cm in the row. Radish can go in alongside: 1 cm deep, seeds 2 cm apart, rows 15 cm apart — they germinate in days and mark the slower carrot rows helpfully. Beetroot deserves its own patch: sow 2 cm deep, seeds 5 cm apart, rows 30 cm — the waning moon encourages strong root development and good storage quality later in the season. If you have a sheltered bed, parsnip sown now 1 cm deep with seeds 3 cm apart will reward patience with deep, sweet roots by autumn.
LANDSCAPING : Check your olive tree if it is growing in a pot — April is the right moment to prune lightly and repot into fresh compost if the roots are circling. Chrysanthemum plants can be set out now and pinched back immediately to encourage bushy growth through summer. If you have wisteria on a south-facing wall, verify that its supports are firm before the weight of new growth builds — a loose wire now becomes a problem fast.