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: 2nd Quarter begins on Friday September 9 - Saturday-Tuesday: Moon in the sign of Libr/Scorpio: Plant seasonal color

• …Garden Mums are now available for container and in the ground plantings.  I’d hold off planting planting Pansies and Violas until next month when it cools down.

Later in the Week

• ...This is a good time to wash off the foliage of junipers. The moisture removes the fine dust and cobwebs that have built up over the summer. This layer is a perfect breeding ground for mites.

Other Things To-do

• ...The area under apple trees and other late maturing fruit trees should be kept clean and free of debris. The rotting fruit attracts Yellow Jackets and can become the breeding ground for problems next year.
• ...To get Lilacs to bloom next spring, it's necessary to stress them in the late summer by reducing the water. The leaves should turn brown and crispy from the reduced moisture. Flowers form in the spring because of the water stress and whatever winter cold we get.
• ...And finally, this is a good time to pinch and fertilize Poinsettia plants. Next month, we start the short day treatment so the plant(s) will be in bloom for the holidays.