ORCHARD : The First Quarter passed early this morning, and the descending moon settles into a generous fruit day — a fine moment to give your orchard some attention. If you have young fig trees to establish, a warm, sheltered corner is their ideal home; firm the roots well and water deeply at the base. Raspberry canes planted at 50 cm apart will anchor quickly in moist spring soil — add a generous layer of compost around the base to retain moisture and feed the roots through the season. Currant bushes and blackcurrants benefit from a top-dressing of well-rotted manure worked lightly into the surface now; it feeds fruiting wood without disturbing shallow roots. In Mediterranean climates, this is also a good moment to check olive trees for any crossing branches.
VEGETABLE PATCH : Fruiting vegetables are in their element today. Courgette transplants go in at 80 cm in the row, rows 100 cm apart — give each plant a generous watering hole and let the soil settle around the roots. Aubergine seedlings raised under cover can move to their final positions at 50 cm in the row, rows 60 cm; in cooler regions, wait for a warmer spell or keep them under fleece for the first week. Sweet pepper plants appreciate the same treatment at 40 cm in the row, rows 50 cm. Melon transplants, if your site is warm and sunny, go in at 80 cm, rows 100 cm. A handful of compost tucked into each planting hole gives all these crops a steady, slow start.