LANDSCAPING : A descending node today calls for a pause on active garden work — instead, turn your attention to the structural tasks that keep a winter garden looking cared-for. If you have bare-root roses waiting in a corner, heel them into a sheltered bed temporarily and check that their roots have not dried out; wrap them loosely in damp hessian if the ground is still frozen solid. Winter jasmine, now in full cheerful bloom on a south-facing wall, benefits from having any wayward stems tied back to their supports — use soft twine and loop loosely so the stems can breathe. Mulch the base of hydrangeas and rhododendrons with a 5 to 8 cm layer of leaf mould or bark chips, keeping the material a hand’s width clear of the stems to avoid collar rot.
ORCHARD : A good moment to walk the orchard with a notebook and plan the pruning work ahead for apple trees, pear trees, and quince trees once the Last Quarter arrives. Note any crossing branches, damaged bark, or signs of lichen build-up. If you have a currant bush or blackcurrant that needs relocating, today suits a careful inspection and root zone assessment — mark the spot with a cane so you remember when conditions improve. Clean and sharpen your loppers and pruning saw while you are at it: a blade that glides through wood cleanly is kinder to the tree and to your wrists.
INDOORS : If you have a lemon tree overwintering under cover, check the compost moisture with your finger — it should feel just barely damp, never waterlogged. A camellia in a pot will appreciate a light misting of the foliage on dry, centrally heated days to keep the buds from desiccating before they open.