VEGETABLE PATCH : The moon shifts into a root day almost from the very start of the morning — a generous window for root vegetable sowings. Carrot deserves a row today: press seeds 1 cm deep, 2 cm apart, in rows 25 cm apart; once seedlings are sturdy, thin to 5 cm. Beetroot follows naturally alongside: sow 2 cm deep, seeds 5 cm apart, rows 30 cm. Radish is a quick neighbour worth adding between slower crops — 1 cm deep, seeds 2 cm apart, rows 15 cm. If you have a sheltered raised bed, try a short row of parsnip: 1 cm deep, seeds 3 cm apart, rows 30 cm; germination is slow but worth the patience. Thin any carrot or beetroot seedlings sown earlier in the week — crowded roots fork and lose flavour.
LANDSCAPING : A waxing ascending crescent lends good energy to establishing ornamental roots and tubers. Dahlia tubers can go in now in well-worked soil: 10 cm deep, 60 cm apart each way — wait until the last frost risk has passed in colder regions, or start them in pots under cover. Gladiolus corms planted this week will stagger your flowering display; set them in a sunny spot. Lavender benefits from a top-dressing of grit around the base to sharpen drainage before summer.
ORCHARD : Before the morning sign change closes the brief fruit window, this is a fine moment to finish any grafting work started earlier in the week. Quince tree and fig tree respond well to cleft grafting while sap is rising; keep unions wrapped and out of direct wind. Check kiwi and grapevine ties — loosen any that are beginning to bite into young growth.