One great planting week ahead!

Moon  phases/zodiac signs thru May 12

If you are planting your garden by the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac or planning to give it a try, here’s information through May 12.

Unless we experience a true weather anomaly, the statistical danger of frost and/or freezing weather should pass this weekend from planting zones 6 and 7 on south.

The week ahead is an outstanding one, according to the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac. Read on and see how you can conceivably plant your entire garden if you’re in Zone 7 on south in the next week – whether it’s a half acre, two pots on the porch or anywhere in between. The higher the planting zone number, the further south it is.

According to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, most of Kentucky is in Zone 6a. Adjust for your planting zone and time zone.

The moon is in the dark phase now but that will change at 3:29 p.m. EDT Friday when the new moon comes to rule, heralding two weeks of light moon until the next full moon at 5:14 p.m. on May 21.

Planting: Today (Tuesday) through Thursday and until lunch on Friday be planting only those veggies that produce beneath the ground. Then beginning after supper Friday and until the next full moon, only those that produce above the ground.

However, according to the signs, in spite of the moon being in the dark phase, no planting should occur today or Wednesday with the sign in Aries (the head), one of the two killing signs. You may participate in any gardening activity but planting.

The fertile sign Taurus (the neck) comes into force on Thursday and hangs around for Friday. Thursday and up until lunch on Friday will be great for below-ground producers then beginning after supper on Friday when the moon has moved into the light phase you may plant above-ground producers like the much-cherished tomato plant!

Good times continue Saturday and Sunday when Gemini (the arms) comes to rule. Gemini is the bean sign and beans planted when Gemini is in force and the moon is in the light phase should produce and do so abundantly. Old timers say beans planted in Gemini in the light moon will grow as long as your arms and continue to produce. Personally, I haven’t witnessed the first half of that equation but certainly have the second!

Still a doubter? Give it a try.

Great general planting continues May 9-10 when the sign moves to Cancer (the breast) another of the four most fruitful signs. On either of these days you may plant anything that produces above the ground and not worry about frost and or freezing weather unless things get really weird.

Then you can take a rest from your hard work May 11-13 when Leo (the heart), the other killing sign, comes into force.

With seven days ruled by the killing signs Aries and Leo this month and an additional three that are Ember Days (May 18, 20 and 21), we have 10 no-planting days – almost a third of May’s 31 days! So, when there are good days like we’re going to have for the next few, take advantage of them if your ground is dry.