VEGETABLE PATCH : Morning dew still on the leaves — a leaf day invites you to focus on foliage crops today. Plant out swiss chard seedlings 35 cm apart in the row, rows 40 cm, pressing soil gently around each crown so the base sits just at surface level; water in well. Chives transplanted in small clumps 15 cm apart, rows 25 cm, will spread quickly and reward you with weeks of harvest. Add a layer of compost between rows to retain moisture and feed the bed steadily.
LANDSCAPING : A steady spring light is the best prompt to tidy foliage shrubs. Hydrangea stems can be cleared of last year’s spent growth — cut just above the first plump buds, which are already swelling. Rhododendron beds benefit from a thick mulch of pine bark: 5–8 cm around the base keeps roots cool and suppresses weeds without smothering the crown. If you have a bamboo clump getting out of hand, thin the oldest canes at the base to let light into the centre and encourage strong new shoots.