LANDSCAPING : The new moon arrived just a few hours ago — a fresh lunar cycle begins, and the descending moon keeps us firmly in planting territory. Bare-root roses are your priority today: dig a wide, generous hole, work in a good spadeful of compost, then settle the bud union just at soil level before backfilling. Space standards 80–100 cm apart. Peonies planted now, buds no more than 3 cm below the surface, will establish quietly through winter and reward you with their first blooms in spring — resist any urge to move them later. Hellebores and rhododendrons are equally at home in the ground right now; give rhododendrons lime-free water and a permanent bark mulch.
ORCHARD : Bare-root season is fully open. An apple tree or pear tree planted this week in well-drained, lightly enriched soil will spend the coming months anchoring its roots before spring growth begins. Dig the hole wide rather than deep, spread the roots without bending them, and firm the soil in layers to avoid air pockets. Currant bushes and blackcurrants can go in 1.2 m apart — they establish fast and need little fuss. Raspberry canes planted 50 cm apart along a wire support will be producing by next summer.
INDOORS : Move the lemon tree and oleander under frost-free cover before night temperatures drop below 5 °C. Water sparingly through winter and keep them in the brightest spot available.