VEGETABLE PATCH : A root day with the Last Quarter arriving this evening — a steady, purposeful energy for the kitchen garden. Sow carrots directly in well-loosened soil, 1 cm deep with seeds 2 cm apart, in rows 25 cm wide; the cooler spring air suits their slow start. Beetroot can go in alongside: 2 cm deep, seeds 5 cm apart, rows 30 cm — firm the soil gently after sowing for good contact. Parsnip is worth a row too: 1 cm deep, seeds 3 cm apart, rows 30 cm; pre-moisten the drill before sowing to help these slow germinators along. If you have a patch of turnip seedlings from earlier, thin them now to 10 cm apart — the ones you pull make a tender addition to a spring soup.
VEGETABLE PATCH — UNDER COVER : Celeriac sown in trays at 0.3 cm deep with seeds 2 cm apart will have plenty of time to build strong plants before planting out. Keep the tray warm and in good light; celeriac rewards patience but resents cold feet.
LANDSCAPING : Gladiolus corms can be planted now that the soil has warmed — set them 10 cm deep, 60 cm apart each way in a sunny border, and expect a striking display by midsummer. Box hedging benefits from a careful check for early signs of box moth: a quick inspection of the inner foliage costs little and saves a great deal of trouble later.