LANDSCAPING : A Waxing Gibbous moon climbing steadily upward draws sap into stems and petals — exactly the energy ornamental plantings respond to. Set out winter-flowering pansies (Viola x wittrockiana), cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium) and ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) into prepared beds or containers, spacing pansies 20–25 cm apart and firming compost gently around each root ball / Divide and replant clumps of Bergenia cordifolia and Helleborus orientalis: lift with a border fork, tease apart healthy crowns and replant at the same depth, 30 cm apart, in humus-rich soil — divisions made under an ascending moon establish root contact faster / In Mediterranean gardens, this window suits planting Gazania and Osteospermum plugs in sheltered, south-facing spots where frosts are rare through December.
VEGETABLE PATCH : The ascending moon with a flower-day influence nudges you toward harvesting rather than sowing leafy crops — pick Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) buttons from the base upward as they firm up, and gather any remaining Florence fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum) bulbs before hard frost / Sow sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) under glass in deep root-trainers — 2 cm deep, one seed per cell — for strong plants that overwinter on a cool windowsill and flower earlier next spring / Tuck a 5–8 cm layer of straw mulch around overwintering leeks (Allium ampeloprasum) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) to buffer soil temperature and reduce frost heave around shallow roots.
INDOORS : Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) bulbs potted up now under an ascending moon will channel energy into flower spike development through December — use a pot just 2–3 cm wider than the bulb, plant with the top third above the compost surface, water sparingly until the first green tip appears / Check stored dahlia tubers and gladiolus corms for soft spots; dust any minor wounds with powdered sulphur and leave to dry on newspaper for 24 hours before returning them to barely damp vermiculite in a frost-free shed.