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: Waning Half begins on Tuesday, May 20
- Saturday-Sunday: Moon in the sign of Capricorn/Aquarius - Fertilize, harvest, weed, cultivate
- A handheld cultivator is an effective tool for controlling weeds. They are available with long and short handles. However, exercise caution around shallow-rooted vegetables like peppers, squash, and cucumbers, as you may damage their root systems.
Later in the Week
- Wednesday-Thursday: Moon in the sign of Pisces - Transplant, fertilizer, water
- Fuchsias and Tuberous Begonias should be fed an organic liquid fertilizer once a month until the end of June. In July, switch to a fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 0-10-10 to support the summer and fall blooming cycles.
- As temperatures rise, container plants require more frequent watering. Additionally, windy conditions can increase the risk of dehydration in plants.
Other Things To-do
- May is the ideal month for planting watermelons, cantaloupes, and muskmelons. The key to cultivating healthy melons is ensuring they receive plenty of sunlight, at least six hours daily, and a consistent amount of water. Adequate water intake helps increase fruit size; however, too much moisture can lead to cracking and rot.
- When creating a butterfly garden, it is beneficial to include several flat rocks. If possible, position the rocks to face east. In the morning, butterflies will rest on the rocks and spread their wings to absorb the sun's warmth. The wings function like solar panels, gathering heat from both the sun and the warmth radiating from the rocks.
- Be sure to remove the faded and brown blooms from your azalea plants. Azaleas do not shed their spent flowers on their own, so these wilted blooms will remain on the plants throughout the summer.