LANDSCAPING : A sign change just before dawn brings the day firmly into flower territory — a long, generous window ahead. Set out cosmos seedlings at 30 cm apart in rows 40 cm wide; their feathery foliage will knit together by midsummer and smother weeds naturally. Zinnia transplants go in at 25 cm spacing, rows 30 cm — firm the roots well and water at the base rather than overhead to avoid damping off. French marigold seedlings planted now at 25 cm in rows 30 cm will act as a companion barrier around beds, their scent quietly discouraging unwanted visitors.
ORCHARD : A flower day suits the orchard too, and wisteria trained over a pergola or against a wall will benefit from a tuck-and-tie session — weave in new shoots before they tangle and secure them to their support. Climbing roses can be guided along wires in the same spirit: no hard pruning, just redirecting energy upward. Add a shovelful of compost around the base of each plant to feed the roots as flowering winds down.
VEGETABLE PATCH : Tomato seedlings started under cover are ready to move on once night temperatures hold above 10 °C — plant them out at 50 cm apart in rows 70 cm wide, burying the stem deeply to encourage extra root formation. Cauliflower and broccoli transplants can follow at 60 cm and 50 cm respectively; in heavier soils, work in a little grit before planting to improve drainage and give roots room to establish.