Before the morning sign change, a root day opens the day — a quiet stretch well suited to tidying and protecting what is already growing.
VEGETABLE PATCH : Full Moon energy peaks early, so focus on the garden rather than the kitchen store. Leeks standing in the bed will appreciate a generous mulch of straw or well-rotted compost laid around their bases — this insulates roots and keeps the soil workable when frost bites hard. Check any winter protection fitted over cabbage plants: fleece should be anchored firmly at the edges so cold draughts cannot creep underneath. Corn salad already in the ground is tough, but a light covering of dry leaves between rows reduces soil splash and keeps leaves clean for harvesting.
After the morning sign change, a flower day takes over for the rest of the afternoon — a pleasant shift that turns attention to ornamental corners of the garden.
LANDSCAPING : Verify that hellebores in light shade have a clear view of the sky — fallen leaves piled on top can smother emerging buds at this season. Winter jasmine in full flower deserves a gentle check: tie in any long stems that have come loose from their support before wind does the damage. Camellias and rhododendrons benefit from a 5 cm mulch of ericaceous compost laid over the root zone now, keeping roots insulated through the coldest weeks ahead.
ORCHARD : Today suits tool care rather than orchard work. Sharpen and clean your pruning tools ready for the weeks ahead — wipe blades with an oily cloth, check that bolts are tight, and note in your garden journal which apple, pear, or quince trees are due for winter pruning once the moon has moved into a calmer phase.