Weekend phases, signs

Dark moon in force now

For those of you planting your gardens by the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac, here’s the weekend information.

If you do plant, be sure your ground isn’t too wet. The easiest way to check is with the “mud clod test.” If you scoop up a handful of dirt, squeeze it and it crumbles, then it’s fine to plant. If, however, it sticks together in a “mud clod” then best wait until another day because it is too wet.

You can pay a high price for planting in wet ground, and pay that price all summer when the dirt hardens like concrete around little plants or prevents sprouts from ever breaking through the ground.

But if you can plant, this entire weekend is under the influence of the dark moon that’s best for below-ground producers.

The sign Friday and Saturday is in Aquarius (the legs) both days. It’s one of the so-so signs that aren’t outstandingly productive but they aren’t destructive either, just so-so.

The best planting this weekend will be Sunday and Monday, May 1-2, when the sign moves to Pisces (the feet) one of the four most fertile signs. And remember the moon is in the dark phase for below-ground producers.

If you have changes to make like starting a diet or exercise program, weaning small animals or children or stopping smoking – anything that constitutes a change - Friday through Monday are great days to get started with the moon in the dark phase and the signs going out of the body beyond anything that functions - Aquarius/legs and Pisces/feet.

Looking on into the early part of next week, all planting should cease Tuesday and Wednesday, May 3-4, when Aries (the head) comes to rule. This is a killing sign when no planting should take place. And, if you are making a change like any of those mentioned here, be underway by Tuesday.

I will post the May Overview by Saturday so you know what’s up for arguably the best planting month of the summer.