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: Waning Half begins on Saturday, October 3
- Saturday-Monday: Moon in the sign of Cancer - Plant for root growth
- This is a good time to divide and replant perennials or add new varieties such as Penstemon, Shasta Daisy, and Coreopsis. Perennials divided and replanted in the fall generally bloom during the spring. Those divided or planted in the spring might not bloom until the next year.
- When planting Tulips, Daffodils, and other fall bulbs, remember to include Bulb Food. This product is designed specifically for spring- and fall-flowering bulbs. Depending on size, place one teaspoon or tablespoon per bulb at the bottom of the hole and cover the fertilizer with soil. After flowering next spring, apply a second dose of Bulb Food.
Later in the Week
- Now is the time to prepare last year's Poinsettias to bloom this year. Cover the plants at dinnertime and uncover them at breakfast for the next six weeks. A cardboard box or tomato cage wrapped in a black plastic trash bag works well. Indirect light from street, flood, or incandescent sources can disrupt the process, so include the plant or plants.
Other Things To-do
- During the fall and spring, spread 1/4 cup of Epsom salt around each rose bush. This compound supplies magnesium, a trace element that helps maintain dark green foliage and supports basal shoot growth.
- Finally, clear debris from the gutters as a wet winter approaches. If leaves and needles accumulate steadily, you might install gutter screens to make this chore easier next year.