VEGETABLE PATCH : A leaf day calls for action under cover — check on leafy seedlings started in trays and pot on any that look root-bound. Transplant lettuce seedlings into a cold frame or tunnel, spacing them 25 cm apart in rows 30 cm wide; firm the soil gently around each crown to prevent air pockets / Sorrel is a resilient winter performer: set young plants out 25 cm apart in rows 30 cm, and they’ll reward you with tender leaves for months / Chives started in modules can go out now, 15 cm apart in rows 25 cm — a reliable, low-maintenance edging that earns its place all year.
LANDSCAPING : Hydrangeas will appreciate having old flower heads cleared away now; leave about 5 cm of stem above the first healthy pair of buds / If you have winter jasmine that has just finished flowering, prune back the stems that bloomed and tie in the new green shoots to keep the framework tidy / Rhododendrons can receive a fresh 4–5 cm layer of pine bark mulch around the base to conserve moisture and protect shallow roots from lingering frost.