Here’s my August overview containing all you need to know
about planting your garden by the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac. If
you have questions or comments, don’t hesitate to be in touch.
Below I’ve included a bit about fall gardens, too. Here at
the height of summer and the harvest season we have to be aware of what’s
coming for our late plantings.
All times given are Eastern Daylight Saving and information
is for USDA Planting Zone 6A. Just adjust accordingly to where you are.
The moon
August began – but just barely - and ends with the moon in
the dark phase. The full – or dark - moon rules until 4:45 p.m. EDT Aug. 2 when
the new moon – or no moon visible in the sky at first – comes to rule.
The light moon is in force until the full moon returns at 5:27
a.m. Aug. 18, and rules until the new moon at 5:03 a.m. on Sept. 1.
And can you believe it: Here we are already talking about
September!
“General Tips” for dark- and light-moon activities are below
and for veggies, it’s above-ground producers in the light moon and below-ground
producers when the dark phase is in. See below, too, about perfect 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.
August begins with the killing sign Leo (the heart) in force
so that is where we will begin, too. This month has far too many killing signs
for me – five ruled by Leo and two by Aries (the head).
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: Leo (the heart), Aug. 1-3,
29-30 and Aries (the head), Aug. 20-21.
Flowering days:
These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers. If you plant on
these bloom days and take care of the flowers, you will have a real show. Virgo
(the bowels), rules Aug. 4-5 and 31; and Libra (the reins) is in force Aug.
6-8. There are six flowering days this
month.
Fertile signs in
order of appearance this month: Scorpio (the secrets), Aug. 9-10; Pisces (the
feet), Aug. 18-19; Taurus (the neck), 22-23; and Cancer (the breast), Aug.
26-28. Nine days this month are
ruled by the most fertile signs — Scorpio, Pisces, Taurus and Cancer.
So-so days: These
aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so. They are in this
order: Sagittarius (the thighs), Aug. 11-13; Capricorn (the knees), Aug. 14-15;
and Aquarius (the legs), Aug. 16-17. There are seven days in August ruled by the three so-so signs with the moon
moving from the light to the dark phase on Aug. 18 at 5:27 a.m.
Gemini days:
Gemini (the arms) rules Aug. 24-25. Gemini is the “bean sign.” Both of these
days are with the dark moon in force and we know beans produce above the
ground. But if you want to take a chance, at least half the formula is right.
Just remember beans love hot weather and are not frost resistant.
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 beginning Aug. 3 through Aug. 17. 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. Originally that applied to cedar shakes, and still does, but it is
just as valid for modern asphalt roofs since we want them to adhere to the
sheeting below.
>The number of perfect days for making changes continues
to dwindle. With the moon changing phases on the 18th at 5:27 a.m.
that gives us most of that day and all of the 19th. The moon will
then be dark and the sign in Pisces (the feet). Just be underway by Aug. 20-21
when Aries (the head) comes to rule. And remember: It only takes ONE DAY to
start making a change.
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 small window that
is perfect this month.
Fall gardens
Throughout
this column I’ve been mentioning fall gardens. I’m sure those of you who garden
regularly know that of which I speak, but it never hurts to be reminded.
Of course if
you’re in an area where the seasonal change isn’t as dramatic, then adjust
accordingly.
Many of the
same veggies we plant in the spring when the days are getting longer, the air
and soil getting warmer, do well on the other end of the season as the days get
shorter and the soil and air cool.
It may seem
silly to talk about it now in the heat of summer but we just have to remember
when they will be growing toward maturity and the average date of first frost
is now less than three months (90 days) away.
