VEGETABLE PATCH : Before midday, a leaf day calls for focused care around foliage crops. Weed carefully between strawberry plants — fresh earth, a short-handled hoe, and five minutes per row make a real difference. If you have artichoke plants pushing up new growth, clear any dead leaves at the base to improve airflow and reduce slug pressure. Mulch around potato rows with a 5 cm layer of straw to retain moisture and keep soil temperature steady as the season warms. Harvest any mature mint shoots early, when leaves are still cool to the touch and fragrance is at its peak.
ORCHARD : After midday, the day shifts to a fruit day — a welcome cue to turn attention to the orchard. Check the base of apple tree, pear tree, and cherry tree trunks for any moss or lichen build-up; scrape gently with a wooden spatula and improve drainage around the root zone if the soil feels compacted. Lay a generous ring of well-rotted compost around fig tree and quince tree, keeping it 10 cm clear of the trunk — this feeds the soil life without risking collar rot.
LANDSCAPING : A descending moon encourages roots to settle, so tending established plants is where the energy goes. Trim any winter-damaged stems on lavender, cutting just above the first signs of green growth — never into old wood. Check wisteria ties on their supports and tighten any that have loosened over winter. Sharpen your secateurs and loppers while you’re at it: a clean blade makes every future cut safer for the plant.