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, August 12
- Saturday-Monday: Moon in the sign of Gemini - Cultivate and weed
- After removing the unwanted weeds, apply a two to three-inch layer of mulch. This mulch layer prevents sunlight from reaching the ground, thereby inhibiting the germination of dormant weed seeds. Additionally, the mulch layer helps retain moisture, reducing the frequency of watering.
Later in the Week
- Ornamental grasses can serve as fillers, borders, or background plantings, or they can be cultivated as container plants. However, aesthetics alone are not the sole consideration. The gentle swaying motion of the grasses and the accompanying sounds contribute to a serene and tranquil atmosphere within your garden.
Other Things To-do
- Gladiolus bulbs or corms should be removed from the ground and stored for planting the following year. However, it is essential to wait until the leaves turn brown and can be easily separated from the ground. Carefully lift the bulbs or corms out of the ground, wash off any excess soil from the clusters, and then separate the individual corms using a sharp knife. To protect the bulbs from Thrips, dip them in a solution of two tablespoons of Clorox in one gallon of water. After air-drying, store the Gladiolus in paper bags in a cool, dry area.
- Boxwood, Privet, Photinia, and Escallonia require frequent shearing to maintain their compact and dense appearance. Incidental pruning can result in gaps within the symmetrical structure of the hedge.