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.