Before midday, a flower day sets the tone — a good stretch for ornamental work and anything that benefits from flowering energy.
LANDSCAPING : Frost still in the air, but bare-root roses can go in whenever the ground is workable — plant them 60 cm apart, spreading roots carefully in a wide hole, and firm the soil well around the base. Hellebores are quietly coming into their own in shaded corners; plant them in moist, humus-rich soil and resist the urge to move them once settled. Camellias will thank you for a generous top-dressing of ericaceous compost around the root zone — no digging, just a 5 cm layer spread loosely. Hazel and quince trees planted now in light, free-draining soil will establish roots through the quieter weeks ahead.
ORCHARD : Bare-root apple trees and pear trees are at their best for planting from now until March — choose a sheltered spot, dig a generous hole, and stake firmly against winter winds. Currant bushes and blackcurrants can go in 1.2 m apart; winter is the right season to take hardwood cuttings of blackcurrant too, pushing 20 cm sections into open ground.
After midday, the sign shifts to a leaf day — a good moment to turn attention to leafy crops and protective tasks.
VEGETABLE PATCH : Check cauliflower and broccoli plants under cover; any yellowing outer leaves should be removed to improve airflow. Pansies grown in modules can be transplanted into sheltered beds 20 cm apart, adding a cheerful note while protecting the soil surface through the coldest nights.