ORCHARD : The waning gibbous moon descends through a fruit day — a fine window for orchard care that rewards patience and precision. Thin out overcrowded spurs on plum and damson trees, removing weak or inward-pointing growth with sharp loppers; aim for 15–20 cm between remaining spurs to improve air circulation and future fruit size. On quince and medlar, check for any mummified fruits still clinging to branches and remove them to limit brown rot spores overwintering on the wood. Around the base of fig trees, scratch in 30 g/m² of potassium-rich fertiliser (such as sulphate of potash) to support next season’s fruiting wood — the descending moon draws nutrients downward, favouring root uptake. In sandy soils, follow with a generous watering to help the fertiliser reach the root zone; on heavy clay, wait for a dry spell to avoid compaction.
VEGETABLE PATCH : A fruit day suits more than just the orchard — tomato and pepper seedlings started under glass now will benefit from a light check on their module trays. Inspect for damping off in early sowings of aubergine and chilli; improve ventilation by propping cold frame lids slightly during the warmest part of the afternoon. For those growing under polytunnel or heated glasshouse, sow the first cherry tomatoes (‘Sungold’, ‘Gardener’s Delight’) at 1 cm depth in seed compost, maintaining 18–20 °C for reliable germination. In Mediterranean climates, broad bean plants already in the ground may show the first flower buds — pinch out the very tips once four flower clusters appear to discourage blackfly later in the season.
LANDSCAPING : Descending moon, late afternoon — around 19h17 (UTC) today the moon crosses its descending node, a brief unsettled moment worth noting if you plan any transplanting. Keep soil disturbance to a minimum in the hours around this crossing. Before then, use the morning to apply a 4 cm bark mulch around the crowns of tree peonies, Japanese anemones and ornamental grasses, keeping material 8 cm clear of central stems. Check ties on standard roses and trained wisteria against winter winds; replace any that have cut into bark with soft rubber ties. On south-facing beds in mild regions, winter-flowering Viburnum × bodnantense and Hamamelis mollis may already be releasing their first fragrance — resist any urge to prune now and let them finish flowering undisturbed.