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.