VEGETABLE PATCH : Before the morning sign change, a brief leaf window — worth using to water leafy seedlings under cover and check their progress. After the change, the day shifts firmly into fruit territory: sow tomatoes under cover, 0.5 cm deep with seeds 3 cm apart in modules, and start sweet pepper and aubergine trays the same way. Courgette seeds can go in under cover too, 2 cm deep, seeds 5 cm apart — they’ll be ready to plant out once nights stay mild. Melon seeds sown now under glass, 2 cm deep, will give sturdy plants by early June.
ORCHARD : A fruit day is a good moment to look over apple tree and pear tree branches — spot any crossing wood and note it for a tidy-up once the flush of growth settles. Grapevines are pushing strongly now; pinch lateral shoots back to one leaf beyond the second flower cluster to keep energy focused on fruit set. Raspberry canes benefit from a tie-in along support wires, keeping fruiting stems upright and well-aired.
LANDSCAPING : Wisteria’s new whippy stems are already reaching for any support they can find — pinch them back to five or six leaves to build next year’s flowering spurs. Lavender in well-drained beds can receive a light tidy, removing winter-damaged tips before the fresh silver growth takes over.