VEGETABLE PATCH : A root day — the right conditions to sow hardy crops under cover or in a sheltered bed. Push carrot seeds 1 cm deep, 2 cm apart in rows 25 cm wide; thin later to 5 cm. Black radish goes in at the same depth, 3 cm between seeds, rows 30 cm apart — a robust winter crop that stores well in a cool cellar. Turnip is equally at home: sow 1 cm deep, 3 cm between seeds, rows 25 cm. Thin any radish or turnip seedlings already in the ground to keep airflow open.
LANDSCAPING : Tulip bulbs go in well now — plant them 15 cm deep, 10 cm apart in a well-drained spot; a handful of coarse sand beneath each bulb prevents rot in heavier soils. Hyacinth follows the same logic: 12 cm deep, in groups for a bolder spring display. If crocus corms are still waiting, settle them 8 cm deep before the soil stiffens.
ORCHARD : Walnut and chestnut trees planted in autumn establish quietly over winter — dig a generous hole, loosen the base without adding fertiliser, and backfill with the original soil. Currant bush and blackcurrant cuttings taken now root reliably; push 20 cm sections of healthy wood two-thirds into gritty soil in a sheltered corner.