VEGETABLE PATCH : The descending Waning Gibbous moon on a root day — soil energy is drawn downward, making this one of the more reliable windows of early spring for underground crops. Sow parsnip (‘Hollow Crown’, ‘Tender and True’) directly into a well-prepared bed, spacing seeds 1 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart; thin to 15 cm once established / Beetroot (‘Boltardy’, ‘Chioggia’) can go in now under a cloche or fleece layer — sow in clusters of 3 seeds at 2 cm depth, 10 cm apart, thinning to the strongest seedling after germination / Turnip (‘Purple Top Milan’, ‘Golden Ball’) rewards an early direct sowing in fine, raked soil; broadcast thinly in a 30 cm-wide band and thin to 15 cm spacing once seedlings reach 5 cm / Fork over beds cleared of winter brassicas to a depth of 20 cm, breaking up any compaction before the next sowing round — this opens pore space and encourages deeper root penetration / In heavier clay soils, work in a 5 cm layer of coarse horticultural grit before sowing root crops to prevent forking and improve drainage
INDOORS : Celeriac (‘Brilliant’, ‘Monarch’) needs a long growing season — sow now on the surface of moist seed compost in a tray at 16–18°C, pressing seeds gently without covering, as they need light to germinate / Start Hamburg parsley and scorzonera in modules under cover; both are slow to establish but worth the patience for their distinctive, earthy flavour / Check stored dahlia tubers and canna rhizomes for any soft spots or mould; dust affected areas with sulphur powder and allow to air-dry for 24 hours before returning to storage in barely damp vermiculite