While I write and garden in central Kentucky, the information on the moon phases and zodiac signs is the same anywhere in the northern hemisphere of Our Great Globe. Moon phase times here are given in Eastern Standard Time until March 11 and then Eastern Daylight Time. Just alter the time for your zone, that’s all it takes.
The moon
March begins and ends with the moon in the light phase when planting should focus on above-ground producers. The light moon is in force until 4:40 a.m. (EST) March 8 when the full moon comes into force and then returns to rule at 10:37 a.m. (EDT) March 22 with the light moon, continuing until 3:19 p.m. April 6.
When the light moon is in force (through March 7 then most of March 22-April 6) proceed with only light-moon activities and planting above-ground producing veggies. Conversely, when the dark moon is in force (most of March 8-21) it’s below-ground producers. Check the list below for other dark-moon activities.
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: March 2-4, 30-31, Cancer (the breast); March 12-13, Scorpio (the secrets); March 21-22, Pisces (the feet); March 25-27, Taurus (the neck). There are 12 days this month ruled by the fertile signs: Scorpio, Taurus, Pisces and Cancer. And, gardening folks, that’s a whole lot of fertile days in one month! I hope we have that many in May.
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 – anything but planting: March 5-6, Leo (the heart) and March 23-34, Aries, (the head). There are four killing days, those ruled by either Aries or Leo. And that’s as few killing days as we can have in a month! I hope it’s that way in May, too!
So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: March 14-16, Sagittarius (the thighs); March 17-18, Capricorn (the knees); March 19-20, Aquarius (the legs). Like last month there are seven days ruled by the so-so signs: Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius.
Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers, blooming things in the greenhouse or for the house: March 7-8, Virgo (the bowels); March 9-11, Libra (the reins). There are five days this month ruled by the two flowering signs, Virgo and Libra.
Gemini days: Gemini rules the arms and is in force on March 1, 28-29. Gemini days are specifically “bean days” and it’s about two months too early for beans since they are not frost and/or freeze resistant. Gemini days are good for peas, too, and according to Home Gardening in Kentucky it’s safe to plant them beginning March 1. All the Gemini days in March are in the light phase of the moon too – above-ground producers.
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” so that means thighs, knees, legs and feet – Sagittarius through Pisces.
This month those days are March 14-21, eight days! The signs are in Sagittarius (14-16), Capricorn (17-18) and Aquarius (19-20) and one day ruled by Pisces, March 21.
Neighbors, if you have changes to make or elective surgery to schedule, animals or children to wean then you have a nice long stretch to plan and prepare.
Neighbors, if you have changes to make or elective surgery to schedule, animals or children to wean then you have a nice long stretch to plan and prepare.
