February 2014 Overview

Welcome to the 2014 gardening season! Here’s the planting by the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac overview for February.

The moon

This being our only 28-day month is divided this year equally between light-moon and dark-moon days — just like the cycle of the phases and signs.

February begins with the moon in the light phase, the new moon having come into force Jan. 30. The light moon continues to rule until 6:53 p.m. E.S.T. Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) when the full moon takes over for the rest of the month and until the new moon comes back at 3 a.m. March 1.

When when the new — or light — moon rules, only light-moon activities. When the full — or dark — moon rules, proceed only with dark-moon activities.

Check “General Tips” for dark- and light-moon activities.

Light moon: Until 6:53 p.m. Feb. 14.

Dark moon: Remainder of Feb. 14 until 3 a.m. March 1.

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.

Fertile signs: the most fertile signs in the zodiac rule these days: Pisces (the feet), Feb. 1-2; Taurus (the neck), Feb. 5-7; Cancer (the breast), Feb. 10-12; and Scorpio (the secrets), Feb. 20-21. There are 10 days this month ruled by the fertile signs — Pisces, Taurus, Cancer and Scorpio. Would we could get that many in May and June —and maybe we will; I haven’t looked that far ahead.

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), Feb. 3-4 and Leo (the heart), Feb. 13-14. There are four killing days this month.

So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: Sagittarius (the thighs), Feb. 22-24; Capricorn (the knees), Feb. 25-26; and Aquarius (the legs), Feb. 27-28. There are seven days this month ruled by the so-so signs, Feb. 22-28.

Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers — if there are any we can plant now and there aren’t unless they are indoors. There are five “bloom days” this month: Virgo (the bowels), Feb. 15-17; Libra (the reins), Feb. 18-19.

Gemini days: Gemini rules the arms and is in force Feb. 8-9.

General tips

Again, here are a few general tips for activities other than planting:

• If you have gravel to pour on a drive or roadway, do that in the light of the moon (through most of Feb. 14) so the gravel won’t sink. 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. While this originally applied to cedar shakes, it is nonetheless applicable to modern shingles since the idea is for them to stick down, too, to keep the nasties outside!
• If you have changes to make like stopping smoking, starting a diet or exercise program, weaning small animals or children, scheduling elective surgery — anything that requires a change — here’s the formula: The moon in the dark phase and the signs are going out of the body, past anything that “functions” so that means thighs, knees, legs and feet — Sagittarius through Pisces.

We have seven full days perfectly suited, Feb. 22-28. On these days the moon will be in the dark phase and the sign in Sagittarius (the thighs) for three days, Capricorn (knees) for two and Aquarius (feet) for two days. All are signs ruling something that doesn’t function.

If you have elective surgery to schedule, there’s time and if you have changes to make there’s plenty of time to get yourself all psyched up to begin on the 22nd. There’ll be more and more days that perfectly suit the formula each month now as we move through the rest of winter into spring!

January 2014 Overview

Here’s the planting by the phases of the moon and signs for the zodiac overview for the remainder of January. My apologies for it being a few days late — it’s COLD in my part of the country and I haven’t been thinking much yet about gardening.

I promise to do better in the future.

The moon

The moon began the month in the light phase that continues through 11:52 p.m. E.S.T. Jan. 15.  And, oddly enough, the last day and a half of the month are under the influence of the new moon, the second new moon of the month coming into force at 4:38 p.m. Jan. 30 and continuing until the dark moon on Valentine’s Day, 6:53 p.m.

Thus Jan. 16-29 are under the influence of the dark moon and the remaining days this month ruled by the light moon.

When when the new — or light — moon rules, only light-moon activities. When the full — or dark  — moon rules, proceed only with dark-moon activities.

Check “General Tips” for dark- and light-moon activities.

Light moon: Through all but eight minutes of Jan. 15 then some of Jan. 30-Feb. 13.

Dark moon: Jan. 16 through most of Jan. 30.

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.

Fertile signs: the most fertile signs in the zodiac rule these days: Taurus (the neck), Jan. 9-11; Cancer (the breast), Jan. 14-16; and Scorpio (the secrets), Jan. 24-25. There are eight days remaining this month ruled by the fertile signs — Scorpio, Taurus and Cancer. Pisces (the feet), the other fertile sign was in force Jan. 5-6.

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), Jan. 17-18. There are two killing days remaining. Aries (the head), the other killing sign was in force Jan. 7-8.

So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: Sagittarius (the thighs), Jan. 26-27; Capricorn (the knees), Jan. 28-29; and Aquarius (the legs), Jan. 30-31. There are/were plenty of so-so days this month — 10 to be exact. Four of them have passed, Jan. 1-4.

Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers — if there are any we can plant now and there aren’t unless they are indoors or you live somewhere south of the Gulf of Mexico since most of the deep south in the United States has been in a deep freeze! There are five “bloom days” this month: Virgo (the bowels), Jan. 19-21; Libra (the reins), Jan. 22-23.

Gemini days: Gemini rules the arms and is in force Jan. 12-13.

General tips

Again, here are a few general tips for activities other than planting:

>If you have gravel to pour on a drive or roadway, do that in the light of the moon (through Jan. 15) so the gravel won’t sink. 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. While this originally applied to cedar shakes, it is nonetheless applicable to modern shingles singes the idea is for them to stick down, too, to keep the nasties outside!

>If you have changes to make like stopping smoking, starting a diet or exercise program, weaning small animals or children, scheduling elective surgery — anything that requires a change — here’s the formula: The moon in the dark phase and the signs are going out of the body, past anything that “functions” so that means thighs, knees, legs and feet — Sagittarius through Pisces.

We have four full days and a piece of another perfectly suited, Jan. 26 and until 4 p.m. Jan. 30. On these days the moon will be in the dark phase and the sign in Sagittarius (the thighs) for two days, Capricorn (knees) for two and Aquarius (feet) for most of the 30th. All are signs ruling something that doesn’t function.

If you have elective surgery to schedule, there’s time and if you have changes to make there’s plenty of time to get yourself all psyched up to begin on the 26th. There’ll me more and more days that perfectly suit the formula each month now as we move through winter into spring!

December 2013 Overview

If you’re doing anything — planting or otherwise — according to the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac, here’s the information for December.

The moon

Like November, December begins (barely) and ends with the moon in the dark phase. The dark moon rules until 7:22 p.m. Dec. 2 and then returns alt 4:28 a.m. Dec. 17 to finish out the month and the year.

Between those days, the new or light moon is in force, essentially Dec. 3 through most of Dec. 17 since it changes from the dark to light phase early in the morning of the 17th.

When the full — or dark  — moon rules, proceed only with dark-moon activities. Then when the new — or light — moon rules, only light-moon activities.

Check “General Tips” for dark- and light-moon activities.

Dark moon: Dec. 1 and most of 2 then most of Dec. 17 until 6:14 a.m. New Year’s Day.

Light moon: Dec. 3 through Dec. 16.

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.

Fertile signs: the most fertile signs in the zodiac rule these days: Scorpio (the secrets), Dec. 1 and 27-28; Pisces (the feet), Dec. 9-10; Taurus (the neck) Dec. 14-15 and Cancer (the breast), Dec. 19-20. There are nine days this month ruled by the fertile signs — Scorpio, Taurus, Pisces 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: Aires (the head), Dec. 11-13 and Leo (the heart), Dec. 21-22. There are five killing days, those ruled by either Aries or Leo.

So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: Sagittarius (the thighs), Dec. 2-3 and 29-31; Capricorn (the knees), Dec. 4-5; and Aquarius (the legs), Dec. 6-8. There are plenty of so-so days this month — 10 to be exact, up from seven each of the last three months.

Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers — if there any we can plant now. There are five “bloom days” in December: Virgo (the bowels), Dec. 23-24; Libra (the reins), Dec. 25-26;.

Gemini days: Gemini rules the arms and is in force on Dec. 16-18.

General tips

Again, here are a few general tips for activities other than planting:

>If you have gravel to pour on a drive or roadway, do that in the light of the moon (beginning Dec. 3 through Dec. 16) so the gravel won’t sink. 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.

>If you have changes to make like stopping smoking, starting a diet or exercise program, weaning small animals or children, scheduling elective surgery — anything that requires a change — here’s the formula: The moon in the dark phase and the signs are going out of the body, past anything that “functions” so that means thighs, knees, legs and feet — Sagittarius through Pisces.

Finally, we have three days in December perfectly suited, Dec. 29-31 — and the 31st is New Year’s Eve, the time for making changes and resolutions. On these days the moon will be in the dark phase and the sign in Sagittarius (the thighs), one of those signs ruling something that doesn’t function.

It may be hard to schedule elective surgery during that holiday week but that shouldn’t stop you from making changes like those listed above. There’ll me more and more days each month now as we move through winter into spring!

If you don’t want to wait until then, the other option that embraces half the formula is when the signs are going out of the body past anything that functions even though the moon is in the light phase.

That period is Dec, 2-10, Sagittarius (thighs) through Pisces (feet) by way of Capricorn (knees) and Aquarius (legs). Those are nine pretty good days — not perfect because the moon is in the light phase, but certainly the next best thing.

October 2013 Overview

For those of you wanting to plan your planting for the month of October, here’s the information with regard to the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac.

Remember to take into consideration the planting zone you’re in if you are planting outside and the time zone. Information here is based on Eastern Daylight Time.

Otherwise the information is good wherever you are in the northern hemisphere.

The moon

October continues the trend we’ve seen for months now of beginning and ending with the moon in the dark phase, the full moon having come into force Sept. 19. The dark moon continues to rule until the new moon 8:34 p.m. Oct. 4 then returns 7:38 p.m. Oct. 18 and ruling until the new moon 7:50 a.m. Nov. 3.

Between those dates — Oct. 5 through most of Oct. 18 — the light moon is in force.

When the full — or dark — moon rules, proceed only with dark-moon activities. Then when the new — or light — moon rules, only light-moon activities.

Check “General Tips” for dark- and light-moon activities.

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.

Fertile signs: the most fertile signs in the zodiac rule these days: Scorpio (the secrets), Oct. 6-7; Pisces (the feet), Oct. 15-17; Taurus (the neck), Oct. 20-22; and Cancer (the breast), Oct. 25-26. There are 10 days again this month ruled by the fertile signs — Scorpio, Taurus, Pisces and Cancer. If you can, these are the best days to plant.

Killing signs: No planting, transplanting, or dealing with things you want to thrive should occur on these days. Reserve them for cultivating, cleaning out fence rows, cleaning up your 2013 garden that’s done — anything but planting: Leo (the heart), Oct. 1 and 27-28 and Aries (the head), Oct. 18-19. Like September, there are five killing days, those ruled by either Leo or Aries.

So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: Sagittarius (the thighs), Oct. 8-9; Capricorn (the knees), Oct. 10-12; and Aquarius (the legs), Oct. 13-14. Again like September, there are seven so-so days this month.

Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers — and in October we have seven of them, plenty for those fall flowers. They are: Virgo (the bowels), Oct. 2-3 and 29-30 and Libra (the reins), Oct. 4-5 and 31 and Nov. 1.

Gemini days: Gemini rules the arms and is in force Oct. 23-24. Gemini is the “bean sign” but it’s way too late for pole or bush beans and about five months too early for peas!

General tips

Again, here are a few general tips for activities other than planting:

• If you have gravel to pour on a drive or roadway, do that in the light of the moon (Oct. 5 through most of Oct. 18) so the gravel won’t sink. Same applies for stones on a garden path: Place them when the moon is in the light phase so they don’t sink. Check for the right days.
• 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 (all the rest of the month!) so that the shingles stick down and don’t curl up on the ends.
• If you have changes to make like stopping smoking, starting a diet or exercise program, weaning small animals or children, scheduling elective surgery — anything that requires a change — here’s the formula: The moon in the dark phase and the signs are going out of the body, past anything that “functions” so that means thighs, knees, legs and feet — Sagittarius through Pisces.

During October we have NO DAYS that perfectly suit that formula. My suggestion would be, since we can only use half the formula, to go with Oct. 8-16 when the signs are going out of the body past anything that functions — thighs through feet.

The other option, which is the other half of the formula, is when the moon is in the dark phase. The thing is, all of those days the signs are ruling some part of the body that functions — like the heart, lungs, stomach, bowels, kidneys, brains … you get the idea from the top of the head to the top of the thighs.

September 2013 Overview

Here’s the information according to the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac for the month of September.

The moon

September begins and ends with the moon in the dark phase, the full moon having come into force Aug. 20. The dark moon continues to rule until the new moon 7:36 a.m. EDT Sept. 5 then returns 7:13 a.m. Sept. 19, continuing until the new moon 8:34 p.m. Oct. 4.

Between those dates — most of Sept. 5 through most of Sept. 18 — the light moon is in force.

When the full — or dark — moon rules, plant only those veggies that produce beneath the ground, which in the unprotected garden through the middle of the month are radishes.

Then when the new — or light — moon rules, only those from the list that produce above the ground — which is nothing in the unprotected garden now.

 Check “General Tips” for other dark- and light-moon activities.

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.

Fertile signs: the most fertile signs in the zodiac rule these days: Cancer (the breast), Sept. 1-2, 28-29; Scorpio (the secrets), Sept. 9-10; Pisces (the feet), Sept. 18-19; and Taurus (the neck) Sept. 23-24. There are 10 days this month ruled by the fertile signs — Scorpio, Taurus, Pisces and Cancer. If you can, these are the best days to plant.

Killing signs: No planting, transplanting, or dealing with things you want to thrive should occur on these days. Reserve them for cultivating, cleaning out fence rows, cleaning up your 2013 garden that’s done — anything but planting: Leo (the heart), Sept. 3-4 and 30 and Aries (the head), Sept. 20-22. There are five killing days, those ruled by either Aries or Leo.

So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: Sagittarius (the thighs), Sept. 11-12; Capricorn (the knees), Sept. 13-14; and Aquarius (the legs), Sept. 15-17. There are seven so-so days this month, just like in June.

Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers: Virgo (the bowels), Sept. 5-6 and Libra (the reins), Sept. 7-8. There are four days this month ruled by the two flowering signs, Virgo and Libra.

Gemini days: Gemini rules the arms and is in force on Sept. 25-27. Gemini is the “bean sign” but it’s way too late for pole or bush beans and about six months too early for peas!

Ember Days

September also features three Ember Days, Sept. 18, 20-21. If you’re planting or transplanting anything, anywhere, avoid Ember Days if at all possible.

General tips

Again, here are a few general tips for activities other than planting:

> If you have gravel to pour on a drive or roadway, do that in the light of the moon so the gravel won’t sink. Same applies for stones on a garden path: Place them when the moon is in the light phase so they don’t sink. Check for the right days.

> 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.

> If you have changes to make like stopping smoking, starting a diet or exercise program, weaning small animals or children, scheduling elective surgery — anything that requires a change — here’s the formula: The moon in the dark phase and the signs are going out of the body, past anything that “functions” so that means thighs, knees, legs and feet — Sagittarius through Pisces.

During September we have only a portion of one day that perfectly suits that formula: Sept. 19 when the moon moves to the dark phase at 7:13 a.m. and the sign is in Pisces (the feet).

August 2013 Overview

If you’re doing any planting anywhere and you’re doing it according to the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac, here’s the information for the remainder of the month of August.

The moon

August began and ends with the moon in the dark phase, the full moon having come into force July 22. The light moon came into force on Aug. 6 and rules until 9:45 p.m. when the dark — or full — moon returns.

When the dark moon rules, plant only those veggies that produce beneath the ground. Then when the light moon rules, only those veggies that produce above the ground.

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.

Fertile signs: the most fertile signs in the zodiac rule these days: Taurus (the neck), Aug. 27-28; Cancer (the breast), Aug. 31; Scorpio (secrets), Aug. 12-13; and Pisces (the feet) Aug. 22-23. The most fertile signs are Scorpio, Taurus, Pisces and Cancer. If you can, these are the best days to plant.

Killing signs: No planting, transplanting, or dealing with things you want to thrive should occur on these days. Reserve them for cultivating, cleaning out fence rows — anything but planting: Aries (the head), Aug. 24-26. Days ruled by the killing sign Aries have passed.

So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: Sagittarius (the thighs), Aug. 14-16; Capricorn (the knees), Aug. 17-18; and Aquarius (the legs), Aug. 19-21.

Flowering days: They have already passed this month.

Gemini days: Gemini rules the arms and is in force on Aug. 29-30.

General tips

Again, here are a few general tips for activities other than planting:

>If you have gravel to pour on a drive or roadway, do that in the light of the moon so the gravel won’t sink. Same applies for stones on a garden path: Place them when the moon is in the light phase so they don’t sink. Check for the right days.

>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.

>If you have changes to make like stopping smoking, starting a diet or exercise program, weaning small animals or children, scheduling elective surgery — anything that requires a change — here’s the formula: The moon in the dark phase and the signs are going out of the body, past anything that “functions” so that means thighs, knees, legs and feet — Sagittarius through Pisces.

During August we’re down to just three days that perfectly fit the formula, Aug. 21-23. The moon moves to the dark phase late on Aug. 20 and the sign is in Aquarius (the legs) Aug. 21 and then on to Pisces (the feet) Aug. 22-23.

July 2013 Overview

If you’re still planting in your garden — and there’s plenty of time left in this growing season — I hope you’re following the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac to make your good garden even better.

 

Depending  on what growing zone you live in before you plant, be sure to check “days to maturity” on the seed packet or transplant pot. It’s hard to imagine, but soon we here in Central Kentucky will be talking about frost in the fall, shorter and cooler days and cooler soil temperatures.

The moon

July begins and ends with the moon in the dark phase, the full moon having come into force June 23. The dark continues to rule until the new moon 3:14 a.m. July 8 then returns 2:16 p.m. July 22 continuing until the new moon 5:51 p.m. Aug. 6.

 

Between those dates — most of July 8 through July 21 — the light moon is in force.

 

When the full — or dark  — moon rules, plant only those veggies that produce beneath the ground.

 

Then when the new — or light — moon rules, only those from the list that produce above the ground.

 

Check the list below for other dark- and light-moon activities.

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.

 

Fertile signs: the most fertile signs in the zodiac rule these days: Taurus (the neck), July 3-5, 30-31; Cancer (the breast), July 8-9; Scorpio (secrets), July 16-17; and Pisces (the feet) July 25-27. There are 12 days this month ruled by the fertile signs — Scorpio, Taurus, Pisces and Cancer. If you can, these are the best days to plant.

 

Killing signs: No planting, transplanting, or dealing with things you want to thrive should occur on these days. Reserve them for cultivating, cleaning out fence rows — anything but planting: Aries, (the head), July 1-2, 28-29 and Leo (the heart), July 10-11. There are six killing days, those ruled by either Aries or Leo.

 

So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: Sagittarius (the thighs), July 18-19; Capricorn (the knees), July 20-22; and Aquarius (the legs), July 23-24. There are seven so-so days this month, just like in June.

 

Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers: Virgo (the bowels), July 12-13 and Libra (the reins), July 14-15. There are four days this month ruled by the two flowering signs, Virgo and Libra.

 

Gemini days: Gemini rules the arms and is in force on July 6-7. Unfortunately, again this month both Gemini days are when the dark moon is in force, but at least half the equation is right and since most bush bean varieties go from seed to harvest in 50 or 60 days — maybe fewer with the soil temperature so warm — there’s plenty of time.

General tips

Again, here are a few general tips for activities other than planting:

• If you have gravel to pour on a drive or roadway, do that in the light of the moon so the gravel won’t sink. Same applies for stones on a garden path:Place them when the moon is in the light phase so they don’t sink. Check above for the right days.

I have a lot of calls each month from readers wanting to know when to put down gravel on a drive or road. With the cost of having that done, it makes sense to utilize all positive forces to ensure the best results.

• 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. 
• If you have changes to make like stopping smoking, starting a diet or exercise program, weaning small animals or children, scheduling elective surgery — anything that requires a change — here’s the formula: The moon in the dark phase and the signs are going out of the body, past anything that “functions” so that means thighs, knees, legs and feet — Sagittarius through Pisces.

We’re having fewer days each month now that fit perfectly the formula after lots the last several months. But there are still some in July and they are the 23-27. On those days the moon will be in the dark phase and the sign in Aquarius for two days then Pisces for three making five days down from nine in June and 12 in May.