VEGETABLE PATCH : The waxing crescent brings quiet energy to root work. Garlic is a priority now: push each clove 3 cm deep, tip pointing up, 12 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart. Chinese artichoke tubers can be lifted from established clumps and replanted 10 cm deep to build a productive patch for winter harvests. On heavier soils, work in a barrowful of coarse compost before planting to improve drainage around developing roots.
LANDSCAPING : A good moment for establishment in the ornamental garden. Daffodil bulbs go in at 15 cm deep — plant in informal clusters for a natural effect come spring. Crocus bulbs follow: 8 cm deep, spaced 5 to 8 cm apart, tucked into a sunny border or beneath deciduous shrubs. Trim box lightly with sharp shears before growth slows, then mulch the base with 5 cm of wood chip to retain warmth through the coming months.