VEGETABLE PATCH : Soil still cool from the night — a root day under a waxing descending moon, and the ground is ready to work. Plant shallot bulbs at soil level, 15 cm apart in rows 25 cm wide; firm them in so the tip just peeks above the surface. Garlic cloves go in at 3 cm deep, tip pointing up, spaced 12 cm apart. Celeriac transplants move out to their final spots at 35 cm in the row, rows 40 cm apart; keep the crown just at soil level and water in well. A light hoe between carrot rows breaks any surface crust and keeps the bed breathing.
ORCHARD : Raspberry canes planted now at 50 cm apart will anchor well before summer growth takes off — work compost into the planting hole and mulch the base to hold moisture. Currant bushes and blackcurrants benefit from a top-dressing of compost around the root zone; scratch it in lightly with a fork.
LANDSCAPING : A root day suits lawn care too — scarify any mossy patches with a spring-tine rake, then top-dress thin areas with a fine compost and soil mix. Box hedging trimmed now with sharp shears will hold a crisp shape through summer.