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: Full Moon - Sunday, March 12 - Day Light Saving Time begins on Sunday (clocks spring forward)- Saturday-Sunday: Moon in the sign of Virgo - Plant flowering vines and medicinal plants
- The early spring flowering vines, Hardenbergia, Carolina and Pink Jasmine, are now available at your favorite garden center.
Later in the Week
- Thursday/Friday: Moon in the sign of Scorpio - Plant for root growth, transplant perennials and prune.
- Radish, Beet and Turnip seeds can be sowed directly into the open ground at this time or into containers. They’re a short-term crop maturing in May.
Other Things To-do
- It's recommended to pick up all the spent blossoms on the ground under Camellia plants. Good sanitation practices are one of the few things we can do to prevent Camellia Petal Blight. Camellia Petal Blight causes the center of the flower to rot and there are no chemical controls available.
- This is the month that we switch from the winter fertilizer, 0-10-10 to Azalea Camellia and Rhododendron Food on shade loving plants. However, if your plants are still in bud and bloom, you can wait until after the flowering cycle.
- And finally, I'd remove all of the yellow or brown leaves on Primroses, Pansies, Violas, etc. Once the plants have been groomed, it is time to fertilize with Osmocote. The attention you give these plants now will extend the blooming season.