VEGETABLE PATCH : A leaf day under the Waning Crescent — a fine window for leafy crops. Sow spinach 2 cm deep with seeds 3 cm apart, rows 30 cm; the cooling late-May nights slow bolting nicely. Swiss chard goes in at 2 cm deep, 5 cm between seeds, rows 40 cm apart — colourful stems ready in about eight weeks. Chervil tucks into a semi-shaded corner at 0.5 cm deep, seeds 2 cm apart, rows 25 cm. A foliar spray of diluted nettle tea over basil and parsley seedlings gives them a gentle nitrogen boost right when they need it most.
INDOORS : Celery sown under cover rewards patience — press seeds 0.3 cm into a fine tray, 2 cm between seeds, compost kept moist at around 18 °C. Harvest any parsley or mint on the windowsill by cutting stems at the base; this encourages fresh, bushy regrowth rather than leggy stems.
ORCHARD : Walk the fruit garden and remove any mummified fruit still clinging to branches — clearing this debris now breaks the cycle of fungal disease before summer heat amplifies it. Tie in the strongest new raspberry canes at 10 cm intervals along the wire.