ORCHARD : A descending node passes through today, making this an unfavourable day in the garden. Turn that to your advantage in the orchard instead. Run a careful eye along raspberry canes and currant bushes: remove any crossing or dead wood cleanly, then lay a 5–7 cm mulch of well-rotted compost around the base of each plant, keeping it clear of the stems. Fig trees and quince trees benefit from the same treatment — a generous mulch ring now conserves moisture and feeds the soil as temperatures climb. Check any ties on young grapevines and kiwi supports; a loose tie can chafe new growth as it swells.
VEGETABLE PATCH : Hands in the soil without a trowel today — this is a good moment to weed beds thoroughly while the ground is still holding spring moisture. Work between rows of artichokes and around strawberry crowns with a hand fork, loosening the surface without disturbing roots. Once weeded, top-dress with a thin layer of compost to seal in the work. Harvest any overwintered mint for immediate use; a bunch snipped at soil level will regrow vigorously in the weeks ahead.
INDOORS : A quiet garden day is the right moment to sharpen hoes and trowels, clean propagation trays, and update the garden journal. Note which beds were weeded and mulched, sketch the planned rotation for tomatoes and roses, and check your stock of stakes and labels. Lemon trees and oleanders overwintering under cover may need a light watering if the compost feels dry a finger’s depth down.