VEGETABLE PATCH : A frosty morning light catches the soil crust — a good sign that the ground is firm enough to work without compacting. The ascending Waxing Gibbous draws energy downward into root systems, making this a strong day for sowing and tending root crops. Sow Hamburg parsley (‘Berliner’) and scorzonera (‘Maxima’) directly in shallow drills 1 cm deep, rows 25 cm apart, under a cloche if nights remain sharp / Sow turnip (‘Purple Top Milan’, ‘Atlantic’) in module trays at 1 cm depth, two seeds per cell, thinning to one — turnips germinate quickly and reward early starts under cover / Sow radish (‘French Breakfast’, ‘Black Spanish Round’) directly in a cold frame, spacing seeds 3 cm apart in rows 15 cm apart; they’ll be ready in 4–5 weeks and make excellent catch crops between slower-maturing roots / On heavier soils, work a light dressing of sharp sand (a 2 cm layer forked in to 15 cm) into beds destined for carrots and parsnips — this improves drainage and reduces forking, which is the main enemy of straight roots.
INDOORS : Yesterday’s root-sowing energy carries through today, so module trays started earlier in the week deserve a check. Inspect germinating celeriac (‘Monarch’, ‘Prinz’) and kohlrabi seedlings under grow lights or on a bright south-facing sill — if the first true leaves are showing pale green edges, a dilute liquid seaweed feed (5 ml per litre, once a week) will steady growth without forcing it / Pot on any crowded leek or onion (‘Sturon’, ‘Red Baron’) seedlings into individual 7 cm pots filled with a loam-based compost, burying the stem slightly deeper than before to encourage a longer white shank / Check the moisture level of overwintering dahlia tubers in storage: they should feel firm and slightly cool to the touch — if any feel soft or show grey mould, trim back to healthy tissue with a clean knife and dust the cut with powdered sulphur before returning them to dry sand.