LANDSCAPING : A waning crescent moon on a flower day — the garden is quietly gathering its last reserves before the new moon arrives in a couple of days. Sow french marigold seeds 0.5 cm deep, spacing them 3 cm apart in trays; once frosts are safely past, plant out to 25 cm in the row, rows 30 cm. Sunflower seeds can go directly into a sheltered bed: 2 cm deep, 10 cm apart, thinned later to 40 cm — their upright stems will anchor a sunny border through summer.
ORCHARD : The cherry tree is beginning to open its first buds — a good moment to check the fig tree too, confirming last winter’s tip growth is still supple. If you grow a kiwi, pinch back lateral shoots that have pushed beyond two or three leaves to keep the structure tidy. The grapevine benefits from a gentle check of its ties as new growth swells the canes.
INDOORS : If you have a lemon tree or oleander still sheltering indoors, move the pot to the brightest spot available and water sparingly. A light wipe of the leaves with a damp cloth removes dust and supports photosynthesis before you gradually reintroduce them to outdoor air.