ORCHARD : With the moon ascending at 98% illumination and Full Moon arriving tomorrow, sap is pushing hard into fruiting wood right now — a strong signal to give your fruit trees some focused attention. Tie in new canes on blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) and hybrid berry varieties, securing them to wires at 30–40 cm intervals with soft twine to prevent wind damage over winter / Check the base of apple (‘Egremont Russet’, ‘Golden Delicious’) and pear (‘Williams’, ‘Doyenné du Comice’) trees for waterlogged soil; if drainage is poor, fork gently around the drip line 10–15 cm deep without disturbing roots, then top-dress with a 5 cm layer of well-rotted compost / On established quince (Cydonia oblonga) and medlar (Mespilus germanica), remove any mummified fruit still clinging to branches — these harbour fungal spores that overwinter and reinfect next spring / In milder Mediterranean climates, this ascending energy is a good moment to plant bare-root fig (Ficus carica) in a sheltered, south-facing spot, setting the root ball at the same depth it grew in the nursery.
VEGETABLE PATCH : Yesterday I noticed the last outdoor tomato supports still standing in a neighbour’s plot — a reminder that clearing spent fruiting structures now saves real effort come spring. Pull up old courgette (Cucurbita pepo), pepper (Capsicum annuum) and aubergine (Solanum melongena) frames, clean them with a stiff brush and store dry to prevent rust and rot / Under cover or in a polytunnel, this ascending fruit-energy day suits transplanting strawberry runners (Fragaria × ananassa) into prepared beds spaced 30 cm apart, watering in with 0.5 litre per plant; roots draw moisture upward efficiently under a near-full moon / Sow a short row of broad beans (Vicia faba ‘Aquadulce Claudia’) directly in place outdoors in sheltered gardens — push seeds 5 cm deep, 20 cm apart; these hardy varieties tolerate sharp frosts and will establish slowly before winter sets in / On heavy clay soils, delay outdoor sowing and focus instead on enriching beds with a 7–8 cm layer of garden compost, forking it in lightly to improve structure before the ground hardens.
LANDSCAPING : Bare branches are starting to reveal the true architecture of the garden — worth a slow walk to spot what needs attention before the cold locks everything in. Tie in climbing roses (Rosa ‘New Dawn’, R. ‘Zéphirine Drouhin’) loosely to their supports, keeping main stems as horizontal as possible to encourage lateral flowering shoots next season / Lift and divide any overcrowded clumps of ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus sinensis or Pennisetum alopecuroides, replanting divisions 40–50 cm apart in well-drained soil and watering in generously / Cut back the dead stems of Hydrangea paniculata to two buds above the previous year’s wood, using sharp secateurs wiped with methylated spirits between cuts to prevent disease transfer / Pot up forced hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) and narcissus bulbs (‘Tête-à-Tête’, ‘Paperwhite’) for indoor colour in January, using a free-draining bulb compost and placing pots in a cool, dark spot at 5–9 °C for 8–10 weeks before bringing into the light.