VEGETABLE PATCH : An ascending node crosses today, so the garden calls for quiet, careful attention rather than bold interventions. Mulch around artichokes with a 5–8 cm layer of straw or dried grass clippings to retain moisture and suppress weeds during the summer heat. Check the ties on climbing plants — loosen any that have tightened around stems as they thicken. Harvest squash that are ready, cutting cleanly with sharp secateurs; a clean tool means less risk of spreading disease.
ORCHARD : A good moment to walk among your fruit trees with a critical eye. Check fig trees for any dead or crossing branches and note what will need attention in late winter. Inspect apple trees for signs of fungal canker or scale insects along the bark — early observation saves harder work later. Clear any windfalls from beneath the trees; they harbour pests and disease if left to rot.
LANDSCAPING : Wisteria put out fresh summer growth since its last trim — run your hand along the new shoots and note which ones have extended well beyond the main framework; those are worth cutting back once conditions improve. Today, focus on loosening ties on rose climbers and clematis, and remove any dead wood you spot on hydrangea. Spread a generous mulch of bark chips around lavender and heather to keep roots cool through the remaining summer weeks.