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.

• Saturday-Sunday: Moon in the sign of Gemini - Harvest, cultivate, and control weeds.
  • Once you've harvested the Raspberries and Blackberries, the fruiting canes are pruned off at the base of the plants. Then, the canes are replaced on the trellis from the most vigorous new shoots. They are found at the bottom of the plants.

Later in the Week

• Monday-Thursday: Moon in the sign of Libra - Water, prune, compost, fertilize, weed, and control pests
  • Crabgrass can be selectively controlled in turf with several brands of selective herbicides; however, Bermuda Grass is often called or confused for Crabgrass. Crabgrass controls are ineffective on Bermuda grass. If you are unsure what you have, bring a sample to our favorite garden center or UC Extension office for identification.    

Other Things To-do

• It's not too early to divide Bearded Iris. It starts in August and continues through early November. After separating, you replant now or wait until next spring to replant.  
• A good selection of summer flowering annuals is still available at your favorite garden center. This includes Celosia, Dwf. Dahlias, Portulaca, Vinca, and several different varieties of Salvias. When planted now, these annuals continue to bloom until early December or the first very cold night.
• And finally, remove all struggling tomatoes, peppers, and other veggies in preparation for planting the fall and winter crops. Seeds can be started now, and transplants should be available in a week or two.