ORCHARD : A fruit day under the waxing gibbous moon — good energy for woody fruit work. Bare-root raspberry canes planted now at 50 cm apart will settle in quietly over winter and push strong shoots come spring / If you have a quince tree to establish, dig a generous hole, spread the roots carefully, and firm the soil well around the crown / Currant bushes and blackcurrants planted at 1.2 m apart benefit from a handful of well-rotted compost worked into the planting hole — it feeds slowly and builds a healthy root zone from the start / On heavier soils, raise the planting point very slightly to avoid waterlogging around the crown.
LANDSCAPING : Winter jasmine is putting on its quiet show right now — a few minutes spent tying in new stems keeps growth manageable and ensures next season’s display is even better / Camellia buds are swelling: check that roots are sitting in ericaceous, lime-free conditions and that mulch is topped up to retain moisture without touching the stem / Hellebore clumps in light shade will reward you with their first blooms soon; clear any fallen leaves around them now to let air circulate and reduce fungal pressure.