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Maintenance Gardening
Basic garden maintenance by the signs of the zodiac.
Taking care of your garden by Moon Phase and Zodiac SignProper maintenance of your garden is the key to producing a robust crop. After planting your patch of ground you must maintain it properly in order to provide a favorable growing environment in which your plants can mature. Many gardens fail because of neglect.Moon, stars and growth cyclesCertain chores are most effective when done in harmony with the heavens. It has been long believed that the whole growth cycle of a plant is affected by the moon and stars. This includes the routine jobs necessary for proper cultivation and husbandry.Many folks claim success using the moon phases and zodiac signs as a guide to everything they do in the garden. If you wish to try this holistic approach you will need to know when these astroligical events occur.
See: Gardening by Moon Phases - Timing your planting and garden activities with the moon
Where to find the informationYou can find this information in farmers almanacs and planting calendars. They will chart the lunar phases and the when the zodiac signs appear in a given month.See: The Old Farmers Almanac - A primary source of astrological gardening data
The basic rules of moon phase and zodiac sign gardeningThe following rules of thumb are based on moon phase and zodiac sign gardening as it has been practiced throughout the centuries.Pruning vine crops
Prune vine crops when the moon is full and in the sign of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Sagittarius. Trimming during this period is said to prevent insect infestation and discourage damaging pests.
Grafting trees and shrubs and shearing sheep
Graft your trees and shrubs when the moon is waxing toward full and never when it is waning. This is also the best time to shear sheep. When wool is harvested during the waxing phases of the moon it will grow back thick and full.Plant regeneration
Cut wood and whatever you would have grow quickly again when the moon is in its first quarter waxing phase. Venus or Jupiter should also be visable in the sky.
Trimming trees and shrubs
Trim your trees and shrubs when the moon is full and in the sign of either Libra or Capricorn. By doing this the plants will keep their shape longer and it will discourage plant disease.Weeding and CultivationTime to avoid planting
It is said that when the planet Saturn appears fixed in any one of the classic zodiac signs there will be a scarcity of vegetation. In ancient times it was believed to preceed years of famine and death.
Gardening during an eclipse
Any garden chores carried out during an eclipse will be negatively affected. In particular if a plant, tree or flower is blooming during an eclipse its production will decrease throught the growing cycle. Yields will be reduced and the overall health of the plant will suffer.
Weeding during an eclipse is the most positive thing you can do. The weeds you remove will not grow back and their spawn will not reproduce in significant numbers.
Cultivation of the garden soilThe best time to turn your sod is during the fourth quarter of the moon and in the barren signs of Gemini, Leo, or Virgo. This week before the new moon is the time to prepare planting beds and till the soil in the garden. Any ammendments added to the earth at this time will be the most effective. |
See: Soil Amendment Chart - How to make your garden soil rich and pliable
You should cease your cultivation once the full moon is in the sign of Libra or Capricorn. Use this time to complete the job of cultivation and move on to planting and transplanting.
See: Seeds and Transplants - How to plant seeds and set transplants in your home garden
Insect and disese controls are enhanced when they are performed on the first day of the new moon, or on a day when the moon is changing quarters. Also, it is believed that if you mow your lawn during the new moon it will grow back at a slower rate.
See: Organic Insect Control - Create a natural balance in your garden to control pests
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