April Phases, Signs Overview

Time to start planting!

Spring is officially here!

If, however, we have a late really cold snap where you are – and that isn’t likely to happen in the south - then things could be impacted. But, as they say, let’s not borrow trouble and talk about planting according to the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac and a few other things.

Last frost date: If you live in an area impacted by frost and late freezes, check for the statistical last date for frost and, in my experience, add a week to that. There is no need to put out delicate plants just to have them destroyed by a late frost.

I have never been a proponent of trying to get hot-weather-loving veggies out early since even if the air temperature is warm, chances are the soil is cool because the nights are cool. Just be patient. Seeds and plants that don’t like cool soil just sit there and pout – and rot – waiting for the ground to warm to a temperature that is to their liking.

But then again, this all depends on where you live.

If you have questions or comments, don’t hesitate to be in touch.

All times given here are Eastern Daylight. Adjust accordingly for where you live.

The moon

April begins and ends with the moon in the dark phase. The full – or dark - moon rules until 7:24 a.m. April 7 when the new moon – or no moon visible in the sky – comes to rule.

The light moon is then in force until the full moon returns at 1:24 a.m. April 22. The dark moon rules until the new moon returns at 3:29 p.m. May 6.

“General Tips” for dark- and light-moon activities are below and if you are planting veggies, it’s above-ground producers in the light moon and below-ground producers when the dark phase is in. See below, too, about another bunch of great days for making changes.

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.

April begins – and ends – with the so-so signs ruling, so that’s where we will start, too.

So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so. Aquarius (the legs), April 1-3, 29-30; Sagittarius (the thighs), April 24-25; and Capricorn (the knees), April 26-28. Like March, April finds an incredible 10 days ruled by the three so-so signs, Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius. All of these days are under the dark moon, which makes them perfect for making changes. See more about that below.

Fertile signs: The most fertile signs in the zodiac rule these days, in order of appearance: Pisces (the feet), April 4-5; Taurus (the neck), April 8-9; Cancer (the breast), April 12-13; and Scorpio (the secrets), April 21-23. Nine days this month ruled by the most fertile signs — Scorpio, Pisces, Taurus and Cancer.

Killing signs: No planting, transplanting, or dealing with things you want to thrive should occur on these days. Reserve them for cultivating, cleaning out fencerows — anything but planting: Aries (the head), April 6-7; and Leo (the heart), April 14-15. There are four killing days this month ruled by either Leo or Aries, the minimum.

Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers. Virgo (the bowels), rules April 16-18; and Libra (the reins) is in force April 19-20. There are five flowering days this month.

Gemini days: Gemini rules April 10-11. Gemini is the “bean sign” and well suited for peas, too. Remember beans aren’t frost resistant so keep that in mind based on where you are.

General tips

Here are a few general tips for activities other than planting:

>If you have gravel to pour on a drive or roadway, do that when the light moon rules, most of April 7 through April 21. The same applies for stones on a garden path: Place them when the moon is in the light phase so they don’t sink.

>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.

>There are 12 perfect days this month for making changes when the moon is in the dark phase and the signs are going out of the body past anything that functions. Those days are April 1-5, 24-30 and then two more to start off May, making the stretch two full weeks! Just incredible!

So, if you have changes to make like weaning babies or small animals, scheduling elective surgery – not emergency surgery since that usually can’t be “scheduled,” stopping smoking, starting a diet or exercise program then you have a lot of opportunities into the first of May.

>If you are starting your own plants, remember: If the grown plant produces above the ground, plant the seed and transplant to peat pots when the moon is in the light phase and a fertile sign rules. The converse, of course, is true for below-ground producers: dark phase/still fertile signs.

Then when you plant in the garden follow the same formula. At that point you’ve done all you can do to ensure success – coupled with good gardening practices.