VEGETABLE PATCH : A leaf day on a descending moon — focus on foliage crops. Transplant leek seedlings from modules 12 cm apart in the row, rows 30 cm apart, dropping each into a dibber hole and watering in without backfilling so the collar blanches naturally. Swiss chard transplants go in at 35 cm in the row, rows 40 cm apart — firm each plant well. Harvest mature cabbage heads this morning, cutting cleanly at the stem; store in a cool, airy spot with good airflow around each head.
LANDSCAPING : Wisteria is pushing out long late-summer shoots — cut them back to five or six leaves now to keep the framework tidy and prepare for the winter pruning. Take semi-ripe lavender cuttings: select non-flowering shoots about 8 cm long, strip the lower leaves, and insert into a 50/50 compost and sharp sand mix. In Mediterranean gardens, oleander can be lightly trimmed to shape today.
ORCHARD : Raspberry canes that have finished fruiting deserve a tidy — cut spent canes to the ground and tie in the strongest new canes 10 cm apart along the wire. Finish with a generous layer of compost around the base to build next season’s energy.