VEGETABLE PATCH : Last Quarter arrived in the small hours, making this a steady root day — a fine opportunity to sow a few late-season rows before the window closes. Push carrot seeds 1 cm deep, spacing them 2 cm apart in rows 25 cm wide; once seedlings reach finger height, thin to 5 cm apart. Beetroot follows the same logic: sow 2 cm deep, 5 cm between seeds, rows 30 cm apart — thin later to 10 cm. Radish fills any gap quickly: 1 cm deep, 2 cm apart, rows 15 cm. On sandy soils, firm the drill gently before covering to keep moisture around the seed. If you already have beetroot or turnip seedlings crowding each other, today’s energy suits thinning well — remove the weakest and use them as microgreens.
ORCHARD : Check on fig trees and quince trees while you’re outside — inspect the bark at the base for any splitting or signs of stress from summer heat, and clear any fallen fruit from beneath to discourage wasps and fungal build-up. Wisteria pruned last week will benefit from a light follow-up: shorten any new laterals that have pushed since to keep the framework tidy before autumn.
LANDSCAPING : Strawberry runners are ready to pin or pot up now — set the crown exactly at soil level, 30 cm apart, and water in well. Lavender that has finished flowering can be lightly trimmed today; avoid cutting into old wood. Box hedging is due its late-summer clip before September.