LANDSCAPING : The first light after New Moon brings renewed energy to the garden. Before 16h30 (UTC), flowering plants respond especially well to our attention. Tidy up winter-flowering shrubs like witch hazel and winter jasmine, removing damaged branches with sharp secateurs to promote air circulation. Sweet peas can be sown in deep root trainers filled with seed compost – place seeds 1 inch deep and keep in a cool, bright location. / Prepare beds for summer-blooming perennials like echinacea and rudbeckia by gently forking in 2 inches of well-rotted manure, which feeds the soil microbiome that supports flower production.
VEGETABLE PATCH : After 16h30 (UTC), focus shifts to leafy crops. The waxing moon supports above-ground growth now. Prepare rows for early spinach by incorporating a handful of blood, fish and bone fertilizer per square yard, working it into the top 2 inches of soil. Lettuce varieties like ‘Winter Gem’ and ‘Arctic King’ can be sown under cloches – scatter seeds thinly and cover with just ¼ inch of fine soil. / In milder regions, transplant overwintered chard seedlings to their final positions, spacing them 10 inches apart in rows 18 inches wide.
INDOORS : Cold frames become valuable extensions of your growing space. Check seals and hinges, repairing any gaps with weather stripping to maintain consistent temperatures for tender seedlings. Sow calendula and snapdragon seeds in trays of seed compost, barely covering with vermiculite and misting gently rather than watering heavily. / Houseplants respond well to today’s energy – wipe dust from broad-leaved varieties like peace lilies with a damp cloth, allowing them to photosynthesize more efficiently as daylight hours gradually increase.