VEGETABLE PATCH : Before 13h26 (UTC), the descending Waning Gibbous moon favours leaf energy — a solid window to focus on greens and brassicas. Cut outer leaves of kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) and Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera), leaving the central growing tip intact to keep producing through winter / Transplant overwintering spinach (Spinacia oleracea) seedlings under a cold frame, spacing them 15 cm apart in rows 20 cm wide — the descending moon encourages root anchorage at this stage / Check chicory (Cichorium intybus) and corn salad (Valerianella locusta) under fleece: thin to 10 cm if crowded, and remove any slimy outer leaves to prevent botrytis from spreading inward / On heavy soils, fork a 3 cm layer of well-rotted compost between rows of overwintering leeks (Allium porrum) to improve drainage before hard frosts set in.
ORCHARD : After 13h26 (UTC), the moon shifts to a fruit sign — turn attention to your trees and berry canes. Inspect stored quince (Cydonia oblonga) and medlar (Mespilus germanica) fruits, setting aside any showing soft patches for immediate use rather than long storage / Tie in the long canes of thornless blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) and loganberry to their wires at 10–15 cm intervals, cutting out any remaining dead wood cleanly at the base with loppers — this reduces wind damage and disease entry points over winter / On apple (Malus domestica) and pear (Pyrus communis) trees, now fully dormant, apply a winter wash of plant-oil-based spray to bark and branch junctions, targeting overwintering scale insects and aphid eggs / In Mediterranean gardens where temperatures stay above 5 °C, bare-root currant bushes (Ribes nigrum, Ribes rubrum) can go in now: dig a generous hole, spread roots naturally, and firm soil in layers.
INDOORS : A grey November afternoon is a good prompt to check on your forcing projects. Pot up witloof chicory (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum) roots in deep containers of moist sand, covering the crowns with 15 cm of sand or a dark lid to blanch the chicons over the next 3–4 weeks / If you have paperwhite narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus) bulbs started in pebbles and water, top up the water level to just below the bulb base — roots need moisture but the base must stay dry to avoid rot / Bring in any remaining pot-grown herbs such as chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) and flat-leaf parsley (Petroselinum crispum) before night temperatures drop below −2 °C; place on a bright windowsill at 12–15 °C for continued harvests.