LANDSCAPING : Pinch the soil between your fingers — a flower day under a nearly full waxing moon, and ornamental beds are ready for action. Transplant cosmos seedlings to their final spots, 30 cm apart in rows 40 cm wide, firming the soil gently around each stem. Zinnia plants go in at 25 cm in the row, rows 30 cm, in a sunny, sheltered position; they reward well-drained soil with months of vivid colour. French marigold transplants fill gaps in borders at 25 cm apart — their scent alone deters several common pests, making them as useful as they are cheerful.
VEGETABLE PATCH : Cauliflower and broccoli transplants raised under cover can move to their final beds today — set cauliflower at 60 cm in the row, rows 70 cm, and broccoli at 50 cm, rows 60 cm. Water in well and add a light mulch of compost around the base to retain moisture through the warmer weeks ahead.