VEGETABLE PATCH : A leaf day with a waxing moon — sow leafy crops under cover for reliable germination. Chicory goes in at 1 cm deep, seeds 3 cm apart, in frost-free modules. Sorrel is equally well suited: sow 1 cm deep, seeds 3 cm apart, then thin to 25 cm once established. If you have lettuce seedlings from an earlier sowing, thin them to 25 cm apart — good airflow now prevents grey mould as temperatures drop. A foliar spray of diluted horsetail decoction on leafy crops strengthens cell walls against autumn damp.
LANDSCAPING : Bare-root season is in full swing. Hazel and quince tree settle in well while the soil remains workable — dig a generous hole, work in a bucketful of well-rotted compost, and firm the soil thoroughly. Space hazel plants 2 m apart if forming a hedge or coppice. Mulch the base of all newly planted trees with a 5 cm layer of bark chippings to insulate roots through the coldest months.