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 on Monday July 4th.

• Saturday-Sunday: Moon in the sign of Gemini and Cancer - Harvest, weed, cultivate, control pests, water and fertilize
  • …The trunks of young Apple, Pear, and Asian Pear trees are painted with a white latex paint to protect them from sunburn. These areas can be an entry point for Flat-Head Borers.
  •  … To conserve moisture on hot days mulch trees, shrubs and ground covers with a three-inch layer of mulch. Homemade compost, decorative bark, and rock will do the trick. Also, newspaper is an excellent insulator. I’d lay newspaper over the area, moisten it and then cover it with mulch.

Later in the Week

... Whitefly Sticky Traps should be cleared of the excess bugs monthly and reapply the gummy resin called Tanglefoot or Pest Barrier.  The Whitefly population increases rapidly with warm summer temperatures.

Other Things To-do

… The 4th of July Weekend is the time to look around and remove anything that may present a fire danger to any structure.  Also empty any container of standing water to prevent mosquitos from breeding … And finally, if you haven't done so, raise the mowing height on your lawn .mower. During the summer months, the taller grass shades the ground. This conserves moisture and slows evaporation on warm days. The mowing height is lowered in November when Daylight Saving Time ends.