Phases, signs thru May 10

Great week coming May 5-10

If you’re doing any planting – and you certainly can be by now - and you are following the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac, here’s this week’s information and a little bit beyond.

Be sure to read below about a great stretch we have coming, according to the phases and signs, May 5-10.

While it looks as if we might have some wet weather, the long-range forecast doesn’t seem to call for any dramatic drops in the temperature thus making it safe to plant warm-weather-loving veggies now. There is always, of course, a chance we could have a late frost or even freeze, but statistically speaking it becomes less and less likely with each passing day. And by Mother’s Day on May 8, we should be able to sound the unqualified all clear.

Moon and signs

The moon is in the dark phase now and will remain there until the next new moon at 3:29 p.m. May 6. Until then plant only those veggies that produce beneath the ground.

A look at the signs reveals we are in the midst of a series of so-so signs that continues through the end of April, or Saturday. What is left of today (Tuesday) thru Thursday are ruled by Capricorn (the knees) followed by the last so-so signs, Aquarius (the legs) in force Friday and Saturday. These signs aren’t the most fertile but they aren’t destructive, just so-so.

Add the two Pisces (feet) days on May 1-2 and you still have several days for making changes like weaning small animals or children, stopping bad habits like smoking, starting a weight loss or exercise program, scheduling elective surgery – anything that requires a change. The moon is in the dark phase the whole time and the signs are going out of the body beyond anything that functions, specifically knees through feet. Just be underway by May 3-4 when the sign moves to Aries (the head), one of the killing signs.

Being one of the four fertile signs, Pisces is also perfect for planting below-ground producers on May 1-2 since the dark moon is ruling. All planting, however, should cease May 3-4 when the sign moves to Aries, the killing sign.

A great six days

A look ahead reveals that after the Aries days (May 3-4) pass, May 5-10 is going to be one tremendous stretch for planting conceivably a good portion of your summer garden if your ground is ready. May 5 and up until noon May 6 will be great for below-ground producers with the sign in Taurus and the moon in the dark phase. The moon changes phases at 3:29 on May 6 making that evening perfect for above-ground producers and heralding two weeks of light moon for above-ground producers.

Two Gemini (arms) days are up for May 7-8. Gemini is the bean sign and beans planted when the sign is in Gemini, old timers say, grow “as long as your arm” and keep producing. I likely qualify as an “old timer” now, but while I can’t attest to the “long as your arm” I do know beans planted in Gemini when the light moon is in force do incredibly well.

Decades ago in a garden far, far away, my wife and I planted two long rows of beans in Gemini. Those plants produced so many beans for eating, canning and freezing that they finally wore us out and we pulled them up with beans still on the plants!

Two Cancer (breast) days, May 9 and 10, follow the Gemini days. Cancer is another of the four most fertile signs. These would be great days for setting out your tomato plants since the danger of frost will have statistically passed. Also, you can plant more beans, peppers, squash, cucumbers – anything that produces above the ground and not worry if it is frost or freeze resistant.