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: 4th Quarter begins on Sunday, May 29,- Saturday-Sunday: Moon in the sign of Pisces - Prune, water, compost, fertilize. …Most hedges are showing a new flush of growth. Before the growth matures, it's a good time to prune them. To keep a hedge tight and compact, they should be trimmed three times a year.
- ... MondayMay 30, Memorial Day
Later in the Week
Thursday/Friday: Moon in the sign of Taurus - Water, compost and fertilize- …When Cymbidium Orchids are finished blooming feed them a nitrogren based Orchid Food to encourage their growth. Cymbidium Orchids are heavy feeders so monthly applications are recommended through October. In November, switch fertilizers to 0-10-10 or Bloom.
Other Things To-do
- ...Now is the time to thin Apricots, Plums, Apples as well as other fruit trees. Thin those branches especially with fruit at the ends so the maturing fruits do not break the limbs. I’d thin the fruit clusters down to one or two, and alternate the fruit clusters on the branches so they are on opposite sides when possible. The proper spacing between the fruits should be equal to twice the diameter of the mature fruit.
- …When installing an irrigation system be sure to include a gate valve in front of the manifold or individual valves. This allows you to shut off the water if a problem occurs without turning off the water to the entire house.
- ...And finally, do not forget to apply snail bait when planting summer annuals. Snails can be a problem even during the summer months.