Questions and answers

What you asked ... how I  answered

Practically every day I get several questions for those who are following Planting by the Signs on the Internet or in print. Since others may benefit from the answers, I will try to do that here in my blog. I encourage anyone with questions to send them to me. If I don't have the answer, I will do some research and find it.

QUESTION: A reader asked if it's okay to plant melons and cucumbers when flowering signs are  in force.
ANSWER: No, unless you're planting them for the blooms, which I doubt. The blooming signs Virgo and Libra are about, well, blooming. I'll share a story with you:
Several years ago I man wrote to tell me about his experience planting cucumbers in a flowering sign. He said: "I had wonderful vines and the most beautiful blooms you've ever seen, just huge. But I never got a cucumber, not even one. Since then I've never cared about how pretty the vines or blooms were, since I wasn't planning to eat either!"
And there's your answer illustrated.

Q.: A reader said he accidentally planted some cabbage when killing signs were in force and wondered why they just didn't shrivel up and die.
A. I told him they weren't going to die, they just weren't going to produce as abundantly as they would have in better signs.
One year when it had been particularly wet, and against my better judgement, I planted four knockout rose bushes on a day when it was dry enough to plant but ruled by a killing sign because I needed to get them planted. Three of the four just set there and died later that year. The lone survivor passed away this spring.
Avoid planting when the killing signs Aries or Leo rule.

Q. A regular newspaper reader wrote to say I failed to mention when was the best time to wean small children or animals in the May Overview.
A. I told her that was "implicit" in the "making changes" section of that piece since it certainly involved making changes — especially for the baby or small animal. I promised, however, to be more specific in the future.
The best time for making changes like weaning is when the moon is in the dark phase and the signs are going out of the body past anything that functions, specifically Sagittarius/legs through Pisces/feet. This month that stretch is through May 13. If you have changes to make like stopping smoking, starting a diet ... weaning small animals or children.

Q. What does "bolt" mean with regard to vegetable plants?
A. I used that term in the May Overview and didn't take the time to explain. It's when a veggie stops producing and usually yellows, getting "leggy." It happens to our cool-weather crops like broccoli when the weather gets hot. Also, like every other living thing, a plant has a life span. And when that's coming to an end the plant just kind of "packs it in" and quits. And that's called "bolting."

Q. A reader asked if it was okay to transplant a tree now that's outgrowing its location.
A. The best time for tree planting and transplanting is in the the fall when growth has slowed yet there's time to establish new roots in its new location. I suggested waiting a few more months and not transplant here at the beginning of the rapid growth season.