VEGETABLE PATCH : A root day with the descending moon calls for hands in the soil. Chinese artichoke tubers harvested now and stored in a box of slightly damp sand will keep firm and flavourful for weeks — lift them carefully with a fork to avoid bruising / Celeriac still in the bed can be brought in today: twist off the outer leaves, trim the roots lightly, and nestle the bulbs in a cool, dark shed / Beetroot lifted now stores well the same way — check each one for soft spots before packing.
LANDSCAPING : Snowdrops pushing through are a quiet reminder that the garden is waking beneath the surface. Work compost into beds that will later receive root crops: spread a 4–5 cm layer and fork it in shallowly / Hellebores appreciate a light tidy now: remove any blackened leaves at the base to reduce disease pressure / Rhododendrons benefit from a top-dressing of ericaceous compost around the drip line — no digging needed, just spread and let it work down slowly.