Before the change (evening), root day:
VEGETABLE PATCH : Damp soil and a waxing gibbous moon — a fine combination for root work. Sow carrots directly where they are to grow, pressing seeds 1 cm deep and spacing them 2 cm apart in rows 25 cm apart; thin later to 5 cm once seedlings are established. Alongside, open a drill for black radish at 1 cm deep, seeds 3 cm apart, rows 30 cm — these winter roots store beautifully in a cool cellar. Parsnip still has time in milder climates: sow 1 cm deep, seeds 3 cm apart, rows 30 cm, and they will sweeten after the first frosts. Thinning beetroot seedlings to 10 cm apart in the row will give remaining plants room to swell before cold sets in. Water gently after sowing to settle the soil without crusting.
After the change, flower day:
LANDSCAPING : A brief flower window closes the day — use it to plant strawberry runners at crown level, 30 cm apart, in beds freshened with compost. Pot-grown chrysanthemums can go into borders now for an autumn colour boost. Check crocus bulbs you may have sourced: they go in from September at 8 cm deep, 8–10 cm apart, in a spot that drains freely. Trim box hedging lightly — September is the second recommended cut — and clear clippings promptly to reduce the risk of blight. Mulch the base of hydrangeas with a 5 cm layer of bark to protect roots as nights lengthen.