October Overview

I’m back to blogging and here’s my first offering.

This is an overview of the month of October, detailing what signs are in force when, as well as what phase the moon is in.

If you’re doing planting or work with any living plant – inside or out – then the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac can help you. Just give it a try and even if it can’t be “proven” on some university’s research farm, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work!

The Moon

The dark moon is in force now and until 2:44 p.m. (U.S./Eastern Daylight Time) Thursday, Oct. 7 when the new moon comes into force. The dark moon will come back into force at 9:36 p.m. (EDT) Oct. 22. That full moon is the “Full Hunter’s Moon.”

Between the two dark moon periods this month the light moon will rule Oct. 8 through most of Oct. 22.

Summary

>Dark moon until 2:44 p.m. Oct. 7 then Oct. 23 until Nov. 6.

>Light moon Oct. 8-22.

The Signs

Remember: Check to see if the moon is in the light or dark phase (information above) before proceeding with planting or other activities, indoors or out.

If you’re planting, vegetables that produce (what you eat) below the ground – like potatoes – should be planted when the dark moon is in force and those that produce above the ground – like tomatoes – planted when the light moon rules.

Fertile signs: the most fertile signs in the zodiac rule these days. Oct. 28-29, Cancer (the breast); Oct. 10-11, Scorpio (the secrets); Pisces (the feet), Oct. 19-21; Taurus (the neck), Oct. 24-25.

Killing signs: No planting, transplanting, or dealing with things you want to thrive should occur on these days. Reserve them for cultivating, putting your garden “to bed” for the winter, cleaning out fencerows – anything but planting: Oct. 22-23, Aries (the head); Oct. 30-31, Leo (the heart).

So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: Oct. 12-13, Sagittarius (the thighs); Oct. 14-16, Capricorn (the knees); Oct. 17-18, Aquarius (the legs). There are seven so-so days this month.

Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers since it’s the blooms we’re after: Oct. 5-6, Virgo (the bowels); Oct.7-9, Libra (the reins). There are five flowering days in October ruled by the two flowering signs, Virgo and Libra.

Gemini days: Gemini (the arms) is in force on Oct. 26-27. Gemini days are particularly well suited for planting beans or peas.

General tips

Again, here are a few general tips for activities other than planting:

>If you have gravel to pour on a drive or roadway, do that in the light of the moon so the gravel won’t sink. Same applies for stones on a garden path: Place them when the moon is in the light phase so they don’t sink. Check above for the right days.

>If you’re setting fence posts, do that in the light of the moon so the posts don’t sink.

>If you’re putting on a new shingle roof, do that when the moon’s in the dark phase so that the shingles stick down and don’t curl up on the ends.

Period ruled by so-so signs begins

Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 18 and continuing through Wednesday, Aug. 25 we find a series of so-so signs in force - so called because they aren't outstandingly productive like the four most fertile signs (Scorpio, Pisces, Taurus, Cancer) but they're not killing signs (like Aries and Leo) either, they're just so-so.

Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 18-20, find Sagittarius (the thighs) in force. Capricorn (the knees) rules Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 21-22, and the period concludes Aug. 23-25 with Aquarius (the legs) in force. Across most of this stretch the light moon will be in force meaning if you're planting you should be putting out only those veggies that produce above the ground. The full moon comes into force at 1:05 EDT Tuesday, Aug. 24 and according the the Almanac this is a "Full Sturgeon Moon." Thus beginning Aug. 25 all planting should be restricted to those veggies that produce beneath the ground.

Outstanding planting for anything that produces beneath the ground is on tap for Aug. 26-27 when the sign moves to Pisces (the feet), one of the four most productive signs.

Wherever you are, be sure to know your planting zone and that what you plant has time to make it to harvest in the northern hemisphere before fall and winter arrives. In other words, YOU know where you are (at least I hope so!), just take into account your climate.

During this stretch we find a period - brief as it is - well suited for making changes like stopping smoking, starting a diet or exercise program, weaning small animals or children. According to my reading and experience, the formula is this: The moon is in the dark phase (beginning Aug. 24) and the signs are going out of the body (thighs, knees, legs, feet), past anything that "functions." The days this month that fit the formula Aug. 25-27. The moon is in the dark phase, having changed on Aug. 24 and the signs those days are in the legs (Aug. 25) and feet (Aug. 26-27).

Flowering signs result in lots of blooms!

Yesterday and through Sunday, Aug. 11-15, are under the influence of the "flowering signs," Virgo (the bowels) and Libra (the reins). According to believers in planting by the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac, anything planted when either of these signs is in force should bloom and do so abundantly – thus Virgo and Libra are very well suited for planting flowers since it's the blooms we're after.

Believers caution, however, that planting vegetables when these signs are in force can result in more blooms and less fruit – and since it's usually the fruit we're after and not the blooms, you might want to try to avoid planting veggies when these signs are in force.

During the Spring, my wife and I made a special effort to plant our flowers when the flowering signs were in force. Now since we're both busy with our other jobs – and I know many of you are, too – sometimes it's difficult to plant at the right time because work schedules just don't permit. (And, of course, that's the challenge the majority of gardeners face since few of us have the luxury of sitting and waiting for the perfect moment.)

Anyway, I digress.

We planted our flowers at the perfect time and I have never seen such a prolific year of blooms, and blooms and more blooms. The plants, too, have grown magnificently to the point where in one container the coleus is taller than the spike! I've never seen coleus so big as the ones we have this summer.

And that's what flowering signs are about – strong plants to support loads of blooms that just continue on and on all season. Through Sunday we find the flowering signs in force and the moon in the light phase. Depending on what part of the country/world you are in, these days are great ones for planting flowers – whether for fall blooms in the north or spring and summer in the south.

It almost goes without saying, however, it doesn't matter what sign or phase you plant flowers, veggies, trees, bushes ... whatever ... in, they still need proper maintenance and support like cultivation, watering, and fertilizing. That's why planting by the signs and phases simply makes your good garden better - it doesn't replace good gardening habits and techniques.

Bean sign in force today but moon in dark phase

Gemini, the astrological sign in force today, is one uniquely suited for planting beans, according to believers in planting by the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac. Gemini rules the arms in the zodiac chart and beans planted when Gemini is in force are said "to grow as long as your arms" and just keep producing.

I've planted lots of beans across the years with Gemini in force but I have yet to see them grow as long as anyone's arm, but they do grow long and the do just produce and produce. One year my wife and I had such a crop after we'd eaten, canned, frozen and given away all the beans we could stand – and they were still producing – we just gave it up, pulled the plants and pitched them on the compost heap.

Anywhere much north of Tennessee, statistically speaking, it's too late in the summer to plant beans but that, of course, is not the case in the deep south. Bush beans especially grow quickly – just not quickly enough to make it to harvest in the north before it starts getting cooler and the threat of frost increases unless we have an extremely mild fall.

Beans are totally a hot-weather crop, loving hot weather and soil temperatures. Right now it's hard to convince anyone in my area it's going to get colder with the temperatures soaring into the 90s every day, but it's going to happen and bush beans take, at minimum, 50-60 days from germination to maturity. That would put them "coming on" around the middle of October and, if we get lucky, they could make it but statistics says they won't.

Of course in the south this isn't the case. So, if you have beans to plant at least half the equation is right today: The sign is in Gemini even if the moon is in the dark phase and we all know beans produce above the ground.

Do some planting today and Wednesday!

If you have planting to do in a garden, window box, whiskey barrel on the deck, flower pot in the kitchen – wherever – then today and Wednesday, Aug. 3-4 are your days according to the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac.

The moon is in the dark phase now and will remain there until late in the evening on Aug. 9 and when the moon's in the dark phase is the best time to plant vegetables that produce below the ground like potatoes, onions, radishes - anything where what you eat is developing beneath the soil line.

While in much of the northern hemisphere it's too late in the season to plant these and expect them to have a reasonable time to grow and produce, for you in the southern hemisphere spring is on the way and these crops love it when the ground and air are cool and getting slowly warmer - spring to summer. Unfortunately for those of us "up north" they don't care as much for it when it's going in the other other direction - as in summer to fall!

If, of course, those of you in the soon-to-be cooler climes are dedicated to protecting your outdoor veggies from frost and light freezes as the north spirals into fall, then by all means proceed. That includes making sure the ground stays warm, too, which can be best accomplished through mulching with straw, newspaper, leaves – most any organic matter that doesn't contain weed seed (like hay!)

Also, the rows can be covered with black planting fabric which helps retain both moisture and heat.

In short, the gardening season wherever you are doesn't have to end with the last ripe tomato.

Don't plant today with killing sign in force

Welcome to a new week, fellow gardeners!

Today finds the moon in the dark phase and the sign in Aries (the head), one of the two killing signs. This is a day to, as we say in the South, "stay on the porch" if you had any thoughts at all about planting. If, however, you have cultivating to do, weeding - deadening of any sort - this this is a day perfectly suited for such activity.

There are two "killing signs" in the zodiac - Aries and Leo (the heart). I realize folks say they just have to plant when the can, but I advise avoiding these two days when at all possible. Great days for those veggies that produce beneath the soil line are on tap for Tuesday and Wednesday when the sign moves to Taurus (the neck) so just be patient.

Since this information is out there on the Worldwide Web, it's important for those reading it wherever you are to be aware of the planting zone you're in. For instance, where I garden the in the upper South of the United States, the planting season is just about over in spite of the fact that temperatures have been in the 90s most every day of the last month.

Depending on the planting zone you're in - and if you don't know you can find out by googling "planting zones" - there may not be time, statistically speaking, for veggies planted now to germinate, grow and produce before the cool weather of fall arrives along with the danger of frost. I've been telling my readers for years that unless you just like to watch things grow - which they will do at this time of year - then there's no reason to plant if you're expecting to harvest what you've planted because more than likely it won't make it to pickin' unless you have the ability to protect it.

There are ways to extend the harvest season, but we'll talk about them on another day.

Gardening by the signs thru Aug. 4

Welcome to weekend gardening. If you're planting anything this weekend according to the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac, here's the information.

First, the moon is in the dark phase now and will remain there until Aug. 9 when the new moon comes into force at 11:08 EDT (adjust for your time zone accordingly). Until then be planting only those vegetables that produce beneath the ground.

According to the signs of the zodiac, today (Friday) and Saturday are ruled by Pisces (the feet), one of the four most fertile signs and great days for planting below-ground producers.

No planting, however, should be going on Aug. 1-2 when the sign moves to Aries (the head), one of the killing signs. You may participate in any gardening activity but planting.

Outstanding planting then returns Aug. 3-4 when the sign moves to Taurus (the neck), like Pisces another of the four most fertile signs.

Great planting days coming by week's end

Good afternoon fellow gardeners! Today and through most of Aug. 9 we find the dark moon in force, the full moon having officially arrived on Sunday night, July 25. Throughout this period you should be planting – if you are planting – only those veggies that produce beneath the ground, and that simply means that what you eat develops below the soil line.

According to the signs of the zodiac, today and Wednesday are ruled by Aquarius (the legs), one of the so-so signs, followed by three days under the influence of Pisces (the feet), one of the most fertile signs. The best days to plant this week will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 29-31, with the moon in the dark phase and the sign in Pisces.

Again, just be aware of first-frost date in whatever zone you're planting. You don't want to spend the time and money on something that's going to get zapped before it makes it to harvest.

Yours in good gardening!

Series of so-so signs begins today

Greetings gardeners! Today begins a series of so-so days according to the signs of the zodiac. But before I get into that let me tell you the moon is in the light phase now and will remain there until the full moon comes into force Sunday evening. Until then plant only those veggies that produce beneath the ground and then beginning Monday and until the next new moon late on Aug. 10, only those that produce beneath the ground.

According to the believers, there are three zodiac signs that are just so-so when it comes to planting. They are, in order as they're coming into force beginning today, Sagittarius (the thighs), Capricorn (the knees) and Aquarius (the legs. These signs will be in force though Wednesday, July 28. Veggies planted on these days should do okay, just not quite as good as those planted on fertile days.

The next days for truly outstanding planting, according to the signs of the zodiac, will be July 29-31 when the sign is in Pisces (the feet), one of the four most fertile signs.

Outstanding day to plant

If you have planting to do - from the flowerpot to a two-acre field - today is an outstanding day for it just as yesterday was and tomorrow will be. The sign is in Scorpio (the secrets) and the moon is in the light phase.

Scorpio is one of the four most fertile signs, the others being Pisces (the feet), Taurus (the neck) and Cancer (the breast). With the moon in the light phase, if you're planting vegetables your focus should be on those that produce above the ground like beans, corn, tomatoes, etc. Please remember what planting zone you're in, however. In many locations in the northern hemisphere it's too late to plant certain veggies because they won't have time to mature and produce before frost arrives in the fall.

Of course in the south where summer goes on and on, you can continue to plant and harvest.

Check your garden for the moisture level and never plant when the ground's wet or you'll regret if for the rest of the planting season!

Have a mah-velous day in the garden!

Great three days on tap!

Welcome to a new week in the garden - whatever form your "garden" may take. Today, Tuesday and Wednesday are outstanding days for anything that produces above the ground with the moon in the light phase and the sign in Scorpio (the secrets), one of the most productive signs.

Just remember to be aware of the growing zone you're in and how long it is until the average first frost. There's no need to plant things that aren't going to make it to maturity.

Flowering signs through Sunday

Good morning, fellow gardeners!

If you're even considering giving planting according to the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac a try - and I hope you are - today, Saturday and Sunday, July 16-18, are outstanding ones for planting flowers. The moon is in the light phase and the sign today is in Virgo (the bowels) while Saturday and Sunday it's in Libra (the reins).

Both of these signs are known as the "blooming signs" and anything planted when one of these signs is in force should bloom and do so abundantly. So if you're planting flowers in your yard, patio containers, pots, window boxes or green house then these are your days.

Just so you can make plans, outstanding general planting for all vegetables that produce above the ground is on tap for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, July 19-21. Just be sure to consider the region where you're located to be sure there's enough growing season left for the veggies that enjoy summer conditions to reach maturity and harvest before cool weather arrives.

How to make your good garden even better!

Welcome gardeners around the world! Allow me to offer you a brief introduction to Planting by the Phases of the Moon and Signs of the Zodiac.

This site is devoted to helping you make your gardening efforts more successful by utilizing the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac. And your "garden" can be an acre you raise to sell at a farmers market or roadside stand, some built-up planting beds in your backyard, a couple of pots on your apartment patio, flowers around the house - from roof gardens on high rises to open fields, if you're planting then simply doing so at the best time according to the phases and signs will help.

If you love gardening and planting - and if you didn't you wouldn't be reading this - then you want to get the most out of it whether it's vegetables or flowers. I invite you to give planting by the phases and signs a try, understanding that it can't hurt a thing and I truly believe it will help.

There are two major elements to this system: The moon and the signs of the zodiac. Simply put, when the moon's in the light phase – from new moon to full moon - you plant veggies that produce (that means what you eat) above the ground. That would be things like corn, tomatoes, beans, squash - what you eat develops above ground.

Conversely, if what you eat develops below the ground - like onions, potatoes, turnips – then you would plant in the dark phase of the moon, which is from the full moon until the next new moon. You can check out what phase the moon's in a variety of ways or, just to make this is simple as possible, I'll tell you each day along with whether or not the sign in force is an appropriate one for planting because there are some that are better than others.

Now the signs. This is a bit more complicated than the moon phases and that's why if you don't want to fully understand it then that's not necessary because I'll just tell you whether or not you should plant. Rather than "choke you to death" with this posting, let's just leave the signs element of it right there and I'll go into it in a bit more depth soon, perhaps based on your questions.

Now, let the conversation and questions begin. I'm looking forward to hearing from you. I know there are other sites similar to this, there are Almanacs, etc. I'm not saying mine is right and theirs is wrong, all I am saying is through reading, talking to others who religiously follow this system, and gardening myself I have found this works for me - and I'm offering it to help you, too.

A reader from Oklahoma called me the other day. He gave his name, where he was calling from and then said, "I've finally found something worth reading on the Internet - your column!" I was humbled and don't claim that's going to be the case for anyone else but just give it a look, give it a try and let's see how things go.

Now today, July 15: The moon is in the light phase (above-ground producers) and the sign is in Virgo (the bowels), one of the flowering signs. Today is a perfect day for planting flowers because Virgo and Libra (the reins) are flowering signs or "bloom days." These flowering signs will be in force through July 18. This period is okay for veggies, but not the greatest. Outstanding veggie days are coming July 19-21 when the sign moves to Scorpio (the secrets).