LANDSCAPING : The perigee draws the moon closer to earth today, making this an unfavourable moment for rooting work — but a fine one for stepping back and observing what your garden really needs before winter. Walk the borders and check ties on clematis and wisteria, loosening any that have tightened around swelling stems. Lay a 7–8 cm mulch of chipped bark or well-rotted leaf mould around the base of rhododendron and camellia, keeping it clear of the crown — this insulates roots against the cold spells ahead and holds moisture through dry autumn spells.
ORCHARD : A quiet morning in the orchard rewards careful eyes. Inspect the base of apple tree, pear tree, quince tree and cherry tree trunks for signs of canker or lichen build-up, and clean your pruning tools with a damp cloth and a few drops of disinfectant before putting them away — sharp, clean blades make next season’s work far easier. Clear any fallen fruit from around walnut tree and chestnut tree to reduce fungal pressure on the soil. In Mediterranean climates, check that olive tree pot drainage is unobstructed before autumn rains arrive.
INDOORS : A good day to bring tender container plants — lemon tree, oleander — under frost-free cover if night temperatures are dipping below 5 °C. Wipe down leaves gently with a damp cloth to remove summer dust, which can block light and stress the plant through the darker months ahead. Check pots for vine weevil grubs while repotting if needed, and reduce watering frequency now that growth is slowing.