Homeowners raise questions, experts respond

Quite often I get interesting questions about gardening that aren’t related directly to planting by the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac.

If I can, I try to do a little research and answer them myself without disturbing the experts at the Extension Office and elsewhere if at all possible but since we Master Gardeners were told in our classes to refer all herbicide and insecticide questions to the professionals, I didn’t take a shot at Marsha’s question and I had no idea how to answer David’s.

So I turned to local experts at the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and the manager of Southern States Cooperative. The local experts went one more step up the ladder to research experts in the University of Kentucky’s Department of Agriculture while the Southern States manager offered another option when I called him to see if he had one of the products UK had recommended.

What about those worms?

A couple of weeks ago before it started raining again, David wrote:

Mr. Case:

“This is not an official Letter to the Editor.

“I am just curious and I do not know who else to ask.

“Why have all these thousands of worms crawled out of the ground recently and died on the asphalt and concrete driveways, sidewalks, and roads?

“This is a serious question.

“In my neighborhood, in the last 10 days, many thousands of worms have left their dirt and crawled onto the pavement and died there.

“I know the worms do this when they are flooded by rain. But it has not rained. It has been hot and dry. So why did they do this? Do you suppose it is because of the early summer heat?

“Is this an ordinary yearly event? If so, I do not remember it happening in 2010, 2009, or 2008.

“I am neither a farmer nor a gardener, so I have no investment in this massive worm die off. But I am curious.”

And here’s the response from UK:

Q. Why do large numbers of earthworms come to the surface?

Occasionally, large numbers of earthworms are found dead on sidewalks and driveways. What happened? Why are they there? No one knows for sure but there are several potential explanations.

Migration is at the top of the list. Earthworms can travel more efficiently on the surface than they can down in the soil. But, they breathe through their cuticle (skin) which must be moist.

Normally, the ground surface and air are too dry to allow them to remain exposed for very long so movement must be through the soil. Moisture and humidity from rain allows them to remain up longer and move further than possible under drier conditions. Also, it is easier to burrow back into the soil when necessary.

At one time, it was thought that earthworms had to come to the surface after rainy periods to keep from drowning in saturated soil. This does not appear to be the case.

Other explanations for earthworm surfacings include: a sensitivity to low soil pH which could be the result of heavy applications of nitrogen to the turf; reproduction – however, only a few species come to the surface to mate; vibration – earthworms will move to the surface in response to vibrations, including that from rainfall; application of lawn chemicals – earthworms come up where no chemicals have been applied.

Earthworms are legless so they move by wriggling their body. Very small bristles spaced along their body provide some traction that allows them to move through the soil and though the grass pretty efficiently without having legs to get in the way. The system doesn’t work on surfaces like concrete or blacktop so the worms are stranded in the hot sun and dry air which quickly kills them.

Killing a wild grapevine

Marsha shares her dilemma:

“Just wondering if you can tell me how to kill a wild grapevine. I cut them completely back last year and it came back this year. It would be hard to dig it up because it is in a fence row.

My grandmother's lilac bush is planted about 5 feet from the root of the grapevine. I am afraid it is going to over take the lilac. Please let me know if you have any suggestions. My grandmother has been gone for 17 years and my lilac bush is one of my favorite thing ever!”

From UK:

“Cutting down the vine and IMMEDIATELY painting the stump with Crossbow, a powerful herbicide (if a homeowner can get it) or Roundup (particularly the Poison Ivy/Brush formulation) would do the trick. And then to touch up with painting any new shoots that might emerge.”

It was the concern about whether or not a homeowner can purchase Crossbow that prompted me to call the Southern States manager.

He said they did indeed have Crossbow for the homeowner at Southern States, adding he would recommend Tordon RTU (Ready to Use) also for what he called an application to a "fresh-cut basal stump," which is what Marsha will have when the grapevine is cut.

He said this is a spray-on specifically for this purpose and it will do the job immediately. He said Crossbow will, too, and the only advantage to that is you can use Crossbow for other label-okayed purposes, too, while the Tordon is, again, specific for stumps

Video: An Introduction to Planting by the Signs

I spoke recently at the Franklin County Extension Office about why gardeners should consider planting by the signs of the zodiac and phases of the moon. I hope you enjoy watching, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in contact with me!

Moon phases, zodiac signs for upcoming week

If you’re planting your garden by the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac, here’s the information for the week ahead. 

First, the moon is in the dark phase, the full moon having come into force on the afternoon of June 15. This “dark moon” will rule until July 1, 5:03 p.m. EDT, meaning you should only be planting those veggies that produce beneath the ground.

We’re in the midst of a series of so-so signs that began June 14 and continue through June 21. June 17 and 18 are ruled by Capricorn (the knees) then June 19-21 are under the influence of Aquarius (the legs), the last of the three so-so signs.
 
June 21 is officially the First Day of Summer with the Summer Solstice at 1:16 p.m. EDT. Find some special way to celebrate since from now until the First Day of Winter on Dec. 22, there will be progressively less and less daylight each day.
 
Outstanding planting for below-ground producers returns June 22-23 when the sign moves to Pisces (the feet), one of the four most fertile signs.
 
All planting should, however, cease June 24-25 when the sign moves to Aries (the head), one of the killing signs. Reserve these days for any gardening activity but planting – and why do these killing days seem to occur far too often on the weekends?
 
Next Sunday and Monday, June 26-27, the fertile sign Taurus (the neck) is in force for below-ground producers with the moon still in the dark phase.
 
Time to make changes
 
Continuing through June 23, we have an outstanding time to make changes with the moon in the dark phase and the signs moving. Making changes might include activities like weaning small animals or children, starting a diet or exercise program, stopping smoking, scheduling elective surgery – anything that involves a change.
 
Just be underway by Friday, June 24 when the sign goes back to Aries (the head).

Planting by the Signs Garden is finally underway

My apologies for having been gone from my blog for so long. The fact of the matter is, I’m back and delighted to report my 2011 Planting by the Signs Garden is finally underway!

While I’ve seen lots of gardens around my area that are up and going, I’ve seen an equal number of patches of bare ground – like mine was until last Monday afternoon when the moon was in the light phase and the sign was in Scorpio (the secrets), one of the four most fertile signs.

It was my intention to have a garden this year planted entirely according to the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac. I got off to a decent start when it was plowed on Feb. 19, a sunny Saturday with the temperature climbing into the low 60s.

I seeded two flats of tomatoes in mid-March when the moon was in the light phase and the sign was a fertile one. I’d calculated they’d be ready to go in the ground right after Mother’s Day (May 8) and they’d be of perfect size and age.

Then the rains hit Central Kentucky – lots of other places too, the ground stayed wet, the grass recovered the garden and things looked grim.

Thus those tomato plants seeded in March made it to Mother Earth on Monday, June 13, leggy and spindly but at least seeded and planted according to the phases and signs. Like a good Master Gardener, I broke the leaves off the lower end of the stem so that roots would emerge and planted them deep.

We’ll just have to see if they make it to harvest or if nearly three months was too long to hold them in the planting flats! I put out some 30 plants that took up a row and a piece and still have a few left to go in the raised beds. The plants are spaced three feet apart.

I also planted a row (90 feet) of bush beans, part of a row of okra because our son likes it breaded and deep fried, and a row divided between summer squash and zucchini.

There are still several rows unplanted and I’ll use them for succession plantings of bush beans and/or my fall garden since I didn’t get to do a spring garden and got a late start on my summer garden.

If the groundhogs, rabbits and deer don’t get it, we oughta have a crop – as they say.

Why plant by the phases and signs?

One of the questions I'm asked most frequently is, "Why should I plant by the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac?" Then that's typically followed by a silly little quip like, "I plant in the ground, not in the moon." That was funny the first hundred or so times I heard it! I plant in the ground just like everyone else, too.

I'm going to make my case for following the moon signs and zodiac phases when you plant and why I follow the system as simply as I can: It works! How's that for simple? One step further: All it requires is to plant on the days I suggest you plant – or if you don't like what I say, then plant when the Almanac tells you.

Everyone who follows signs and phases has a system that works for them, chances are developed over a long period of time, which included reading, talking to other "believers" and, most importantly, planting in our own gardens. I'm not going to ask you to do one thing other than that: Just plant on days most favorable for planting and avoid days when killing signs rule.

If I was suggesting you break up the sidewalk and plant your tomatoes in the rubble according to the phases and signs, then you'd have cause to think I was a bit daffy. Or, just say, I was suggesting you not water, cultivate or fertilize your garden when needed, just plant according to phases and signs then Big Brother who hosts this site should have me removed for disseminating false advice.

Planting by moon phases and zodiac signs doesn't replace good gardening practices, it just gives you an extra little boost and because it's hard to explain there are those skeptics who say if you can't explain it then why use it?

You know, I can't "explain" God either, but I believe in His existence – or Hers, if you prefer!

When folks say to me that following astrological charts to plant is sacrilegious I simply point them to the third chapter of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes where the theme is "... to everything there is a season ..." And one of the aspects of that thought is, "...a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted."

And for those of you whose faith system is based in something other than Judeo-Christian teachings then I imagine in your sacred writings there's something similar to the Ecclesiastes passage. Of course if you're atheist or agnostic it doesn't matter, so I don't have to try to convince you from the religion side of the equation!

In summary: All I ask is for you to please just give the phases and signs a try. Prepare your garden as you always have, assemble your seeds and plants when the season's right and THEN just set out those plants or sew those seeds when the moon's in the light phase for veggies that produce above the ground (like tomatoes) and in the dark phase for those that produce below the ground (like potatoes).

Add to that simply planting on days ruled by fertile signs of the zodiac and you have it: Your good garden, if properly tended and loved, just got lots better!

And I'll tell you which days are ruled by the best signs. All you need do – since you're already Internet friendly – is visit my twitter account and head for the garden. I'm tweeting @plantingbysigns.

How about it? More on my next blog posting.

Overview for February

The kickoff to Gardening Season 2011 approaches in spite of the cold and incessant snow in the United States while countries in the southern hemisphere are winding things down toward fall.

I have great plans for 2011 including more postings on the Internet, a bigger garden on my farm that will be devoted to more demonstrations about planting and planting by the signs and phases – and more!

For those of you who’d like that little extra boost in your garden – whether it’s a half-acre truck garden or some tomato plants on the patio or rooftop – simply planting when the moon phases and zodiac signs are favorable can be that boost.

In addition to good gardening practices, this requires absolutely nothing more than planting on the right days instead of just planting any old time. And while I know that may be difficult for big-time gardeners, for those of us who raise gardens for our own pleasure and use, it’s not that tough.

Now, here’s an overview of what remains for the month of February. I know there are plenty of other sites that provide similar information, I’ve just found that this is what works for me.

If you have questions or need clarification, e-mail me at pcase211@gmail.com.

Please note: All times give here are U.S. Eastern Standard Time. Just convert them to your time zone by adding or subtracting hours.

The Moon

The moon is in the light phase now, the new moon having come into force late Groundhog Day, Feb. 2. It remains in force through the waxing or growing phase until the full moon on Feb. 18 at 3:36 a.m.

When the “light moon” – new moon to full moon – is in force, we want to be planting only those veggies that produce above the ground.

Conversely, when the “dark moon” – full moon to next new moon – is in force only those that produce beneath the ground.

This month, for instance, if you’re planting in a green house, cold frame or planting some of the earliest cold-resistant veggies in the garden, you would plant the above-ground producers through Feb. 17, and then below-ground producers most of Feb. 18 through March 3.

And by “produce” I mean, rather obviously, what you eat develops either above the ground (beans, tomatoes, lettuce, etc.) or below the ground (radishes, carrots, onions, etc.)

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.

Fertile signs: the most fertile signs in the zodiac rule these days. Feb. 5-6, Pisces (the feet); Feb. 10-11, Taurus (the neck); Feb. 14-15, Cancer (the breast); and Feb. 23-24, Scorpio (the secrets).

There are eight days remaining this month ruled by the fertile signs: Scorpio, Taurus, Pisces and Cancer.

Killing signs: No planting, transplanting, or dealing with things you want to thrive should occur on these days no matter what phase the moon is in. Reserve them for cultivating, cleaning out fence rows, removing debris from your old garden – anything but planting: Feb. 7-9, Aries (the head); Feb. 16-17, Leo (the heart). There are five killing days, those ruled by either Aries of Leo.

So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: Feb. 28, Capricorn (the knees); Feb. 3-4, Aquarius (the legs); Feb. 25-27, Sagittarius (the thighs). The so-so signs: Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius.

Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers but only indoor ones in pots, planters, and/or the greenhouse since it’s the blooms we’re after: Feb. 18-19, Virgo (the bowels); Feb. 20-22, Libra (the reins). There are five days in February ruled by the two flowering signs, Virgo and Libra.

Gemini days: Gemini (peas/bean days) rules the arms and is in force on Feb. 12-13.

And there you have the month of February.

Cultivating for 2011

While it’s too early to be planting in the unprotected garden – although it won’t be all that long for protected cool-weather crops and, of course, peas – it’s not too early to cultivate you garden plot.

During February it doesn’t matter if water follows you down the furrow, it’s okay to plow wet ground. Just get it done before March or wait until it’s dry or you’ll fight clods the rest of the summer.

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.

>If you have changes to make like stopping smoking, starting a diet or exercise program, weaning small animals or children, scheduling elective surgery – anything that requires a change – here’s the formula: The moon in the dark phase and the signs going out of the body, past anything that “functions.”

This month and into March we find several days fitting the formula. They are Feb. Feb. 25-March 3.

How to be in touch

>E-mail pcase211@gmail.com.

>I’m tweeting regularly @plantingbysigns – and note there’s no “the” in this address. If you’re not a Twitter member, it’s easy to join and free or you can see the tweets at twitter.com/plantingbysigns.

>It you visit my web site, plantingbythesigns.net, you’ll go directly to my blog.

Welcome to 2011!

Welcome to 2011 – now several days old!

I must say I’m trying to get excited about the 2011 gardening season but that’s difficult considering most of the United States is getting zapped repeatedly by cold and snow.

Not only is it cold and snowing where it’s supposed to, it’s cold and snowing in the Deep South – where it’s NOT supposed! How can we talk about plowing and planting when the garden’s buried beneath the white stuff!

But I have faith the thaw will come and in the meantime we can use these days to make plans for our gardens in 2011 and in those plans I hope you’re planning to utilize planting by the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac to make your good garden even better.

With prices continuing to rise on just about everything, I imagine more and more people will be wanting to raise at least some of their own food, even if it’s just a few tomato plants by the deck or in a barrel. Every veggie we grow is one we don’t have to buy, plus there’s the satisfaction of watching it grow.

No matter the size of your “garden” – be it a quarter of an acre or a couple of pots – planting by the phases and signs can enhance your efforts. At its base it’s just about planting when the moon and zodiac signs are most favorable and that’s not hard to do at all when you follow what I’ll tell you through the planting season.

I know there are other sites that provide similar information. Why I’m suggesting mine is simple: It’s SIMPLE! I’ll just tell you what to plant when based on the phase of the moon and sign of the zodiac without any in-depth explanations of astrological tables, etc.

I’ve learned all this by listening to those who follow this system, by reading material written about and by those who have – and perhaps most importantly in my own garden.

What I have here for you today is an overview of what’s left of the month of January – moon’s phases and zodiac signs. I’ll do this at the beginning of every month or you can visit @plantingbysigns on Twitter and see the information more narrowly defined there if you’re a member of Twitter.

And if not, then you can see my tweets at twitter.com/plantingbysigns.

For my blog, which is before you, go to plantingbythesigns.net.

Now, the rest of January.

The Moon

Please note: All times given here are Eastern Daylight Time. Just adjust for your time zone.

The moon is in the light phase now and will remain there until the first full moon of 2011 comes into force at 4:21 p.m. Jan. 19.

The dark moon then rules for the remainder of the month and until the new moon at 9:31 p.m. Feb. 2 – Groundhog Day! Thus the first full day of the dark moon’s rule is Jan. 20 and it continues through most of Feb. 2 with the new moon coming to rule at 9:31 p.m. that day.

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.

Fertile signs: the most fertile signs in the zodiac rule these days. Jan. 13-14, Taurus (the neck); Jan. 17-18, Cancer (the breast); and Jan. 26-28, Scorpio (the secrets).

Killing signs: No planting, transplanting, or dealing with things you want to thrive should occur on these days. Reserve them for cultivating, cleaning out fence rows, removing debris from your old garden – anything but planting: Jan. 11-12, Aries (the head); Jan. 19-21, Leo (the heart).

So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: Jan. 29-30, Sagittarius (the thighs); Jan. 31, Capricorn (the knees).

Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers but only indoor ones in pots, planters, and/or that greenhouse you got for Christmas since it’s the blooms we’re after: Jan. 22-23, Virgo (the bowels); Jan. 24-25, Libra (the reins).

Gemini days: Gemini (bean days) rules the arms and is in force on Jan. 15-16.

And there you have what’s left of the month of January.

If you’re planting in a greenhouse, potting, re-potting, etc., remember if it’s veggies, plant below-ground producers during the dark of the moon and above-ground producers during the light phase. And do so during a fertile sign!