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: 4th Quarter begins on Wednesday, February 21; President's Day
- Saturday-Sunday: Moon in the sign of Libra: Transplant perennials.
- Dahlias, Peonies, Daylilies, Agapanthus, Shasta daisies, and others can be divided and transplanted now. Be careful not to plant the new transplants too deep, as they will settle.
Later in the Week
- Tuesday-Thursday: Moon in the sign of Scorpio/Sagittarius - Prune, control pests, plant and prune fruit trees
- Even if you haven't planted yet, setting out snail bait is not too early set out snail bait. First, it is essential to go after the breeding areas like ground covers, under decks and porches, or any cool, damp, and dark place. Using a handheld Whirlybird spreader is an excellent way to distribute the snail bait in these areas.
- Junipers and other conifers should be pruned now whiles it is cool. This allows the wounds to callus over before the insects become active.
- Different fruit trees can be incorporated in small gardens by planting three trees in one hole. These trees are spaced two feet apart in a triangle. Although they will have three separate trunks, you will prune them like there was only one canopy, so it is important to have compatible trees in the same hole. This is not a problem if you plant three different varieties of the same type of fruit i.e., three apples, three cherries, etc. Ask your nursery professional for other combinations that grow well in your area.
Other Things To-do
- Petunias, Vinca, Marigolds, and other annuals are best started in flats. Next, you select the most vigorous seedlings to transplant into individual pots four weeks after germinating. They're ready to be set out in the open ground planting in four to five weeks.