ORCHARD : A waning gibbous moon on a fruit day — conditions long trusted for harvesting and tending fruiting plants. Check cherry trees for cracking fruit after recent rains and pick ripe cherries promptly; store in a cool spot. Raspberry canes are putting on strong growth — pinch out weak laterals to concentrate energy where it counts. Grapevine shoots getting ahead of themselves can be tipped back, keeping the canopy open and airy.
VEGETABLE PATCH : Aubergine and sweet pepper plants set out now will have the warmth they need — space aubergines 50 cm apart in rows 60 cm wide, sweet peppers 40 cm apart in rows 50 cm wide. Squash transplants can go out too, at 100 cm in the row with 150 cm between rows. Water each plant in slowly at the base to encourage roots to settle deep.