VEGETABLE PATCH : Most of the day runs as a root day under the waning crescent — the descending moon keeps energy close to the ground, which suits underground work well. Lift salsify or black salsify carefully with a fork, cutting roots as little as possible; store them upright in slightly damp sand in a cool shed. Horseradish side roots harvested now can be kept the same way. Turnips still in the bed are worth pulling before a hard freeze: brush off the soil, twist off the tops, and layer them in sand. Endive roots brought in earlier can be set up for forcing now — stand them upright in a bucket of just-damp compost in a dark corner, and blanched chicons will be ready in three to four weeks.
ORCHARD : A quiet afternoon suits bare-root planting of fruit trees and shrubs. A walnut tree or chestnut tree planted now in acid, well-drained soil will establish roots through winter without stress. Space currant bushes and blackcurrants 1.2 m apart; prune the stems back to four or five buds after settling them in, and mulch the base with 8 cm of wood chip, kept clear of the collar.
LANDSCAPING : Late in the evening the day briefly tips toward a flower day — a good cue to plant hellebore in a lightly shaded, moisture-retentive spot. Snowdrop bulbs can still go in at 8 cm deep if the ground allows; they reward patience with a gentle late-winter show. Winter jasmine stems can be tied in now to keep them tidy through the coldest weeks.