July 2013 Overview

If you’re still planting in your garden — and there’s plenty of time left in this growing season — I hope you’re following the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac to make your good garden even better.

 

Depending  on what growing zone you live in before you plant, be sure to check “days to maturity” on the seed packet or transplant pot. It’s hard to imagine, but soon we here in Central Kentucky will be talking about frost in the fall, shorter and cooler days and cooler soil temperatures.

The moon

July begins and ends with the moon in the dark phase, the full moon having come into force June 23. The dark continues to rule until the new moon 3:14 a.m. July 8 then returns 2:16 p.m. July 22 continuing until the new moon 5:51 p.m. Aug. 6.

 

Between those dates — most of July 8 through July 21 — the light moon is in force.

 

When the full — or dark  — moon rules, plant only those veggies that produce beneath the ground.

 

Then when the new — or light — moon rules, only those from the list that produce above the ground.

 

Check the list below for other dark- and light-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: Taurus (the neck), July 3-5, 30-31; Cancer (the breast), July 8-9; Scorpio (secrets), July 16-17; and Pisces (the feet) July 25-27. There are 12 days this month ruled by the fertile signs — Scorpio, Taurus, Pisces and Cancer. If you can, these are the best days to plant.

 

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: Aries, (the head), July 1-2, 28-29 and Leo (the heart), July 10-11. There are six killing days, those ruled by either Aries or Leo.

 

So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: Sagittarius (the thighs), July 18-19; Capricorn (the knees), July 20-22; and Aquarius (the legs), July 23-24. There are seven so-so days this month, just like in June.

 

Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers: Virgo (the bowels), July 12-13 and Libra (the reins), July 14-15. There are four days this month ruled by the two flowering signs, Virgo and Libra.

 

Gemini days: Gemini rules the arms and is in force on July 6-7. Unfortunately, again this month both Gemini days are when the dark moon is in force, but at least half the equation is right and since most bush bean varieties go from seed to harvest in 50 or 60 days — maybe fewer with the soil temperature so warm — there’s plenty of time.

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.

I have a lot of calls each month from readers wanting to know when to put down gravel on a drive or road. With the cost of having that done, it makes sense to utilize all positive forces to ensure the best results.

• 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 are going out of the body, past anything that “functions” so that means thighs, knees, legs and feet — Sagittarius through Pisces.

We’re having fewer days each month now that fit perfectly the formula after lots the last several months. But there are still some in July and they are the 23-27. On those days the moon will be in the dark phase and the sign in Aquarius for two days then Pisces for three making five days down from nine in June and 12 in May.