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: President's Day Weekend: Waxing Half Moon begins on Thursday, February 20
- Saturday-Sunday: Moon in the sign of Virgo/Libra - Plant or transplant for root growth
- Now is the time to root prune established Japanese Maples, Roses, Citrus, and many other plants that are in the same container for 18-24 months. I'd tip the plant(s) over on its side and slide it out. You may have to tug and pull. With a sharp knife, pruning saw, axe, or any other cutting tool, trim 2-3 inches of the root mass off the sides and 4-6 inches off the bottom. You are not going to damage the plants. Next, add fresh potting soil to the container and replant it. This technique is also recommended for indoor foliage or houseplants.
Later in the Week
- Tuesday-Wednesday Moon in the sign of Scorpio - Prune fruit trees
- Fruit trees are starting to break dormancy. But it doesn’t signal the end of the pruning season. You can continue to prune fruit trees until the end of March.
Other Things To-do
- Flowering Magnolias are in full bloom. They can be grown in the ground or containers. They signal that spring is just around the corner.
- Lettuce is available for planting. They are planted in rows of any length and spaced two to three feet apart. Plant a new row every three weeks through mid-May for a continual crop of lettuce.