Gardening by the Moon Weekend To-Do
An idea as old as agriculture, based both folklore and superstition but there are scientific ideas to back it up.
- Lunar Phase: New Moon, Wednesday, July 14
- Saturday-Monday: Moon in the sign of Gemini - Weed, prune
- Daisy plants, like Marguerites and Euryops, are often thought to be everblooming. However, to keep them compact, they should be pruned regularly during the growing season. Also, it’s a good idea to remove spent flowers as soon as they turn brown to encourage more blooms.
- During the growing season, hedges are frequently pruned to maintain their compact shape and prevent bare patches. Star Jasmine, Photinia, Privets, Boxwood, and other similar species benefit from regular haircuts.
Later in the Week
- Monday - Tuesday: Moon in the sign of Cancer - Fertilize, water
- The optimal time to water your plants is in the morning when the temperature is rising. This ensures that the water reaches the root zone, where the plant requires it most, and minimizes water stress during hot days.
Other Things To-do
- Keep Camellias mulched and moist during hot, dry weather. A one to two-inch layer of mulch will insulate the roots, which is crucial as the plants are setting next season’s flower buds. Irregular watering from July through September will result in few or no flowers next year.
- Cosmos, a daisy-like flower, thrives in warm locations. It can grow up to three feet tall, making it ideal for planting at the back of a flower bed or as a focal point in a container.