VEGETABLE PATCH : Before midday, the leaf energy is at its strongest — a fine window for transplanting leafy crops that have been hardened off under cover. Move chicory plants to their final positions now: space them 30 cm apart in the row, with 35 cm between rows, firming the soil around each crown. Lettuce transplants go in at 25 cm in the row, rows 30 cm apart — on heavier soils, add a handful of coarse grit to each planting hole to improve drainage around the roots. Watercress thrives in a sheltered, moist corner; thin established rows to 10 cm between plants. Harvest outer leaves of chervil and sorrel while cell moisture is high, cutting cleanly to encourage fresh growth.
LANDSCAPING : After the sign shifts around midday, the day turns toward fruit energy — a good moment to settle in bare-root fruit trees and shrubs. A bare-root raspberry can go in now: plant canes 50 cm apart, firm the soil well, and cut the top back to about 30 cm to encourage strong basal growth next spring. If you have a currant bush or blackcurrant waiting in a bucket of water, get it in the ground today — space plants 1.2 m apart and work in a generous shovelful of compost at the base of each planting hole. Hazel and walnut tree bare-root stock establishes well at this time of year; mulch the base with 8–10 cm of wood chip to insulate roots through the coldest weeks ahead.