VEGETABLE PATCH : A root day on the waxing gibbous moon — the garden rewards those who pay close attention. Run your fingers along the soil around artichokes and check for any congestion at the base; remove dead outer leaves and clear any debris that traps moisture. Courgettes benefit from a deep watering today, letting the hose linger at the base so moisture reaches down into the root zone. Harvest tomatoes that have reached full colour and feel just slightly yielding under gentle pressure — a sharp knife and a clean cut at the stalk keeps the plant healthy.
LANDSCAPING : Wisteria has put out long new shoots since its last pruning — now is the time to cut those back to four or five leaves from the base, keeping the framework tidy and encouraging flower buds to form for next spring. Check ties on climbing roses, clematis and kiwi, loosening any that have begun to bite into the stems. Lavender that has finished flowering can be lightly trimmed today: remove the spent flower stalks without cutting into old wood, and mulch the base with a thin layer of gravel to improve drainage around the crown.
ORCHARD : Fig trees are worth a slow walk-around right now — look for fruits that droop at the neck and show a small bead of nectar at the tip; those are the ones to gather first. Raspberry canes that have finished bearing can be cut to the ground today, clearing space and improving airflow for the younger canes coming through. A light mulch of straw around the base of the currant bush and blackcurrant helps retain moisture during the last warm weeks of summer.