VEGETABLE PATCH : Before the sign change this evening, the day belongs to roots — a waxing gibbous moon in root mode is solid ground for underground work. Plant shallot bulbs at soil level, 15 cm apart in rows 25 cm wide; press each bulb in firmly so just the tip shows above the surface / Garlic cloves go in 3 cm deep, tip up, spaced 12 cm apart — if your soil is heavy, work in a little sharp sand first to keep drainage sharp / Onion sets can go in now under a cold frame, spaced 10 cm apart in rows 25 cm wide; they establish quickly even in cold soil / Harvest any remaining salsify from the ground — roots pulled now store well in a cool shed.
INDOORS : Endive roots forced in the dark are worth checking today — remove any yellowed outer leaves and keep the covering tight to maintain blanching / If you have chinese artichoke tubers in store, inspect them for soft spots and discard any that have started to shrivel.
LANDSCAPING : After the sign shift this evening, the day tips briefly into flower mode — a short but useful window. Check on any hellebores in a sheltered shady corner: clear away any blackened old leaves at the base to let the flower stems breathe freely and reduce fungal pressure / Hydrangea stems can be tidied now; leave the old flowerheads in place a little longer as frost protection, but remove any clearly dead or damaged wood at the base.