You can plant the most productive garden if you take into account the phase of the Moon and also the astrological sign the Moon is in when planting, grafting, pruning, weeding, etc. in your garden.
Follow me below the orange curlicue for the secrets to a spectacular garden by maximizing your efforts.
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Again, back to our beautiful natural satellite in the sky...
For eons, people have been watching the waxing and waning of the Moon; much folklore has sprung from these observations. Gardening by the phase and sign of the Moon is a sure fire way to an amazing garden. It takes some planning, but the results are worth it.
I've experimented with this folklore over the years and can vouch for the success of using the following techniques.
Plant or transplant annuals from the New Moon to the Full Moon. This two week cycle is called the waxing of the Moon. Whatever you want to grow above ground is best planted, grafted or pruned at this time. If you are pruning to encourage growth, this is the time to do it. If you want your lawn to grow fast, mow it during the first two quarters of the the Moon cycle.
The waning phases of the Moon (from the Full Moon to the New Moon) is the time for planting biennials, perennials, bulbs and root crops and for pruning. The third quarter is better than the fourth quarter for planting and pruning to retard growth. The fourth quarter is best for weeding, getting rid of pests, cultivation and harvesting. Timber cut in the fourth quarter in a barren sign (Aries, Gemini, Leo, Virgo, Sagittarius, Aquarius) seasons better than at any other time (according to Jim Maynard's "Celestial Influences" calendar).
Additionally, within these cycles, look for the Moon to be in a water sign (Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces) for the very best times to plant. You can also plant when the Moon is in the signs of Taurus, Capricorn or Libra.
Taurus and Capricorn are both earth signs and plants will be hardy when planted in these signs. Plant root crops in these signs.
Virgo is also an earth sign, but for planting is considered a barren time. Tidy up the garden when the Moon is in Virgo.
Libra is an air sign. Air signs are not normally considered good for planting, but Libra is ruled by Venus. Plant flowers for beauty and fragrance during this Moon sign.
Gemini, another air sign, is considered a barren time and time in this sign is best spent planting ideas. Bring out your seed catalogs!
Aquarius, known as the Water Bearer is actually an air sign. You can weed and get rid of pests when the Moon is in this sign.
The three fire signs are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Aries and Leo are good for cultivation of what you have growing, all three are good for weeding and killing garden pests, although with the Moon in Sagittarius, you may want to just take a break. Additionally, you can plant onions in Aries.
To find out what phase and sign the Moon is in for your gardening try this website. Don't garden during the Void-of-Course (VOC) times shown on the calendar - nothing much will come of your efforts if you do.
A tip for reading the calendar in the above link: the Moon changes into the sign shown just after the times shown for VOC. For example, on Saturday May 2, 2015, the Moon is shown VOC, followed by times (depending on your time zone) and followed by "Scorpio". Scorpio is the sign the Moon will be in after the VOC is over on Saturday. Make sense? If not, let me know in the comments. I'll do my best to explain it better.
Mercury goes retrograde on Monday, May 18th at 6.50 pm PDT. Try not to sign any contracts, make any major purchases or enter into any agreements unless you are willing to renegotiate the terms at a later time. Remember, with Mercury retrograde, you will not have all the facts at your disposal to make the best decisions.
Mercury is retrograde in the sign of Gemini - the Twins - expect and allow time to do things at least twice. Back up your computers before Mercury goes retrograde on Monday.
During Mercury retrograde, expect to connect with people you haven't seen for awhile, find lost objects and reexamine how you communicate. It's a good time for any actions that start with "re" - reexamine, rethink, respond, remember, rebook, reboot, replenish, refill - you get the idea. Also, if you work on computers - expect to get very busy over the next month.
Reassess and come up with new ideas until Mercury goes direct on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at 3.33pm. Then, put your plans into action.
What about you? Do you already follow the Moon when gardening? Let me know in the comments below.