ORCHARD : September dew still clings to the grass as fruit day settles in on a waning gibbous moon. Gather ripe pears with a gentle upward twist; any that come away cleanly are ready for the store. Lay them in a single layer on slatted shelves in a cool, dark space, checking each for bruises first. Quinces can be picked too — their skin should be fully golden and their fragrance will confirm they are ready. Collect seeds from the grapevine: squeeze a few ripe berries, rinse the seeds and dry them on paper in a ventilated spot before storing in labelled envelopes.
VEGETABLE PATCH : Draw drills 3 cm deep and sow peas, seeds 3 cm apart in rows 40 cm across. Plant out leeks at 12 cm apart in rows 30 cm — a dibber makes clean holes and encourages straight shanks.
LANDSCAPING : Crocus bulbs go in now at 8 cm deep, tucked into a sunny border or scattered through a lawn for a naturalistic drift of spring colour. Daffodil bulbs follow at 15 cm deep in a well-drained spot.