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: The Waning Half begins on Saturday, March 22. In Zone 9, the last frost date is Friday, March 28.
- Saturday-Sunday: The Moon will be in the sign of Libra—ideal for pruning and fertilizing.
- Additionally, cut back Mexican Sage, Artemisia, and all varieties of Penstemon to the ground. These plants produce new growth from the base rather than lateral branches yearly.
- Fuchsias are pruned now to keep the plant compact and bushy. Removing 50% to 60% of last year's growth is very common. Once pruned, you begin your monthly application of a liquid organic fertilizer.
Later in the Week
- Monday-Tuesday: Moon in the Sign of Aquarius - Harvest and cultivate
- Naval oranges should be left on the tree if they are still sour; they will continue to hang until they sweeten. The flowers and fruit set for the next crop will not interfere with the maturing oranges.
- Hoe the unwanted vegetation around landscape trees and shrubs. They are easily removed when they are small.
- Wednesday-Thursday: Moon in the Sign of Pisces - Water and Fertilize
- This is a good time to apply an all-purpose organic fertilizer to your landscape trees, shrubs, and ground covers. Scatter the fertilizer around the drip line and then scratch it into the soil
- Since the rainy season isn't over yet, remember to water your container plants in between rainfalls.
Other Things To-do
- This is an excellent time to control mistletoe in evergreen and deciduous shade trees using Florel Fruit Eliminator. Spray Florel on the clusters, causing them to separate from the tree and drop to the ground. Mistletoe is a parasitic plant, and you should reapply Florel every three to four years.
- Set out Coddling Moth traps to monitor adult activity and drench the soil around the base of each tree with Beneficial Nematodes. Coddling moths are responsible for the worms found in apples and pears.