Moon Signs for May garden

This is color coded according to which type of plant or tree should do good planted on a each day of May 2009. Refer to the calendar below for more specific information as in Astrological Moon Signs. So you can determine if that day is good for planting or not. Also look at your weather conditions too. As they play a role in how the plant will do. Click on the photo to enlarge.

Todays garden 1

It has been raining the last couple of days.
I bough a rain gage to show me how much.
The wind has remove all the black plastic I put down.
The tomatoes are doing great under the soda bottles.

I have Ires clematis and white yarrow doing well around the pole.
Sunday I planter 1 yellow and 1 red cherry 100 tomatoes in the upside down buckets.

I was surprised to find a plant growing under the lid from last years soil.
I dump the old dirt in a wheal barrow and mix it in with some composted manure peat ant top soil. This will give last years potting soil a refresher.
This is a geranium bush I received in the mail last fall. I kept in the veggie drawer over winter and I am placing it in the amended top soil bag temporarily. I do not like to plant in November. and will not mail order from this company again.
I placed the potato plant that was frost bit in this bucket and covered it with soil. Wow what a recovery of leaf.




The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Moon planting methods

If you are just looking for for this months moon planting calendar Click here.

There are three methods for planting by the moon.
The Synodic, Sidereal, and the Biodynamic cycle.

This is were all the confusion comes from is the diffrent zodiac signs.

Synodic (waxing and waning) cycle
Most Farmers almanac's are based on this way.
Every month the moon passes through all 12 signs of the zodiac; It is about 2 1/2 days in each sign.The 12 zodiac signs is associated with a different part of the body. and any sign above the waist is do not plant. Below the waist is plant.
Then they divides the Luna cycle into four phases or quarters. This cycle takes 29.6 days to complete.

Then they assign plants to the phases of the moon which best suits there growing characteristics.They group plants into categories, Root Crops, Foliage.Crops with seeds on the outside, and crops with seeds on the inside.

Sidereal cycle
This is very similar to the Biodynamic cycle except only the moons orbit around the earth is used to define the best times to sow and harvest.
The orbit is divided up into 12 equal 30 degree sections to represent the position of the moon in the sky, but it may not be the same as the current moon position. The sidereal cycle takes 27.3 days to complete.

Biodynamic cycle
This a method of organic farming that has its basis in a spiritual world-view (anthroposophy) This is a more scientific method using the 12 Zodiac signs as a way of position the moon, for more accurate planting. Rudolf Steiner , started this way in 1924.
Zodiac signs used where for the actual positioning of the moon in the sky, as the moon passed through them.
The moon, Venus and Saturn all play a large part in the Biodynamic farming calendar.
Form more information see the Wikipedia Article on Biodynamics.


So now that I have learn the difference I have now chosen to use the Biodynamic cycle, because I want to try the most scientific way. As they have done allot of research and it works for them. They encourage you to keep records and experiment. See for your self if it works!

Look at this web site, Look about 1/2 way down the page, it will show the difference in side real and tropical Zodiac signs. And explain in more detail.

Trees

Trees in the lunar cycle
Moon phase
They should be planted when the moon is at the third quarter decreasing stage, which is good for root crops so they have a well-developed root systems .

Also they should be planted according to what they are.

A fruit tree should be planted under a sign good for producing fruit.
Oak , walnut, & pecan are also fruiting trees, as they produces nuts.

Willows need plenty of water so a water sign would be good for them along with the 3rd quarter would be perfect.

For me I would pick
Fruit tree
Scorpio is a very fruitful and moist, watery
Cancer is fruitful, moist, watery the best sign for all Above-ground and root crops

Regular trees
Taurus is fairly productive, moist, earthy good for both root & leaf
Pisces is watery and one of the most fertile signs

Flowering trees
like dogwood , redbud, snowball bush,
Libra is airy and masculine but also semi-fertile and moist, a good sign for vines, and especially for flowers.
Scorpio is a very fruitful and moist, watery for abundance of flowers.

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April 22, 2009 is Earth day.

I love this quote!
"Go outside today, no matter what the weather! Take in the "tonic of outdoor air, the healthy influence that comes from contact with the soil, the delightful companionship with nature" (Eben E. Rexford, The Home Garden, 1909).
Click here You can see portions of his book at google library for free.

He prescribes a season of gardening. As being better than any drug a doctor can give you. I saw this to be true with my friends Mr & Mrs D in St. Louis. They have a flower garden and worked it together. My D passed at age 93. And her health is now failing as he is gone and she can not work the garden as she did before.

I my self found peace and contentment in my garden at my old home. It was like heaven on earth. So I need to take some of my own medicine and get to work on my garden here. So I can find peace and regain my physical and health.

My prescription for you is to go out side tomorrow. Enjoy the weather. Or plant a garden . learn to love and respect the Earth we share. Think green. recycle reuse and restore the health of the earth. Maybe plant a tree.

(Note.
Earth Day, celebrated April 22, is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment Please see wickpedia for more info on the history of this day.

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Note:
The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Lunar garden update1

Today is another wet rainy day. Garden prep is behind. I can not do much by my self any more. So far I have 10 tomato plants transplanted in the garden under soda bottles. They are doing great. 2 out of 3 red potatoes planted in the top soil bags are doing great. 1 seems to be frost bit. I should have put them under bottles too. Mistake #1.

^Before fence^

Yesterday I managed to put up 3 cattle panels used to both fence in and support plants. I will have tomatoes on2 sides and melons and cukes on another side.

After fence photo

The seed inside is doing great. This is the first time I have succeeded at growing tomatoes from seed.


The plants in the center are cabbage fdr they are leggy and I have no clue if they will successfully make a good plant. The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Beneficial Insects

Beneficial Insects

Assassin Bug -- Caterpillars, Flies
Big-Eyed Bug -- Aphids, Caterpillars, Leafhopper, Mites; attracted by Clover, Goldenrod, Soybeans.
Braconid Wasp -- Aphids, Army worm, Cabbage worm, Corn borer, Codling Moth, Elm Bark Beetle, Horn Worm; Attracted by Dill, Parsley, Yarrow.
Damselbug -- Aphids, Caterpillars, Leafhopper, Thrips; Attracted by Alfalfa.
Ground Beetle -- Caterpillars, Cabbage Maggot, Colorado Potato Beetle Larvae, Cutworms, Slugs, Snails; Attracted by Clover.
Honeybee -- Pollinator
Hover Fly (Syrphid Fly) -- Aphids
Ichneumon Wasp -- Beetle larvae, Caterpillars, Sawfly,
Lacewing -- Aphids, Corn Ear worms, Mites, Thrips
Lady Beetle -- Aphids
Minute Pirate Bug -- Leafhopper nymphs, Spider mites, Thrips
Predatory Mite -- European Red Mites, Spider Mites
Praying Mantis -- Also predates beneficial s
Rove Beetle -- Aphids, Cabbage Maggot, Flies, Mites, Spring tails
Soldier Beetle -- Aphids, Beetle larvae, Caterpillars, Corn Root worm, Cucumber Beetle, Grasshopper eggs ; Attracted by Goldenrod, Milkweed, Hydrangea
Spined Soldier Bug -- Caterpillars, Sawfly larvae
Tachinid Fly -- Caterpillars
Tiger Beetle -- General predator
Yellowjacket -- Flies, caterpillars

NOTE:
SEE rex research for Plants with Broad-Spectrum Pesticidal Properties

Insect-Repelling Plants

Insect-Repelling Plants

Basil -- Flies, Mosquitoes, Asparagus Beetle
Borage -- Tomato Worm
Calendula -- Asparagus Beetles, Tomato Worms
Catnip -- Ants, Aphids, Cockroaches, Flea Beetle, Japanese Beetles
Chrysanthemum -- Mexican Bean Beetle
Cosmos -- Mexican Bean Beetle
Coriander -- Aphids
Dandelion -- Colorado Potato Beetle
Dead Nettle -- Potato Beetle
Fennel -- Fleas
Flax -- Potato Beetle
Garlic -- Aphids, Apple Scab, Borers, Japanese Beetles, Peach Leaf Curl Disease, Spider Mites
Geranium -- Cabbage Worm, Red Spider Mite
Henbit -- General insect repellent
Horseradish -- Potato Beetle
Hyssop -- Cabbage Moth
Lavender -- Mice, Ticks, Moths
Marigold -- Mexican Bean Beetle, Nematodes
Mint -- Ants, Aphids, Cabbage Moth, Fleas, Mice
Mole Plant -- Mice, Moles
Nasturtium -- White Flies, Squash Bugs, Striped Pumpkin Beetle, Wooly Aphid (apple)
Oregano -- Cabbage Butterfly, Cucumber Beetle
Parsley -- Beetles
Penny royal -- Fleas, Flies, Mosquitoes
Pot Marigold -- Asparagus Beetle, Tomato Worm
Radish -- Cucumber Beetle
Rosemary -- Bean Beetles, Cabbage Moth, Carrot Fly
Rue -- Flies, Japanese Beetle, Cats, Dogs
Sage -- Bean beetle, Cabbage Moth, Carrot Fly, Slugs
Southern wood -- Cabbage Moth
Sunflower -- Army worm
Tansy -- Ants, Fleas, Flies, Japanese Beetle, Moths, Striped Cucumber Beetles, Squash Bugs
Thyme -- Cabbage Worm
Wormwood -- Animals

Plant spacing

You can use this for both in ground and container space.

How deep should a container be? How far apart should your plants be? These are minimum guide lines. Plants like space.
Plant	Spacing	roots grow deep
Cherry tomatoes	12” apart 14” some are 3ft apart	4” to 16”
Beans (Phaseolus) Fruit	5” apart	16” to 18”
Beets ROOT	3” apart	9” to 12”
Broccoli FLOWER	12” apart 12” to 14” wide	20" deep
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Familly LEAF	12” apart	12” to 14”
Carrots (Daucus carota) ______________ Cauliflower FLOWER	2” apart __________________________ 12” apart	9” to 18” ______________________ 12” to 14
Celery (Apium graveolens)
Corn (Zea mays)	. 1ft apt in 3 ft wife rows	roots can be as deep as 6 to 7 feet
Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus)	12” apart	16” to 18”
Eggplant (Solanum melongena	12” apart	14” to 16”
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa	6” apart	9” to 12”
Onion Family ROOT	3” apart	9” to 12”
Pea Fruit	3” apart	14” to 16”
PEPPERS Fruit	12” apart they grow best in 16" diameter pots,	14” to 16”
Potato, {ROOT}	6” apart no more than 3 roots to a 30 gal container	16” to 18”
Pumpkin- Squash (Curcurbita spp) Fruit	Corn, Marigold beans , Nasturtium. Buckwheat, catnip, tansy, radishes	Irish Potato
Radish (Spinacia oleracea){ROOT}	1” to 2” apart	9” to 12”
Spinach LEAF	5” apart	9” to 12
Squash Fruit	18” apart	16” to 24”
Tomato Fruit	least 20" or 22" diameter 5 gallon bucket is good	18"+
Swiss Chard	6” apart	9” to 12”

vining crops require a 20" or larger container.
Greens, such as lettuce and spinach, have shallow roots and thus do well in broader, flatter containers.
One to two gallon container are ok for peppers, chard and dwarf tomatoes,
Four to five gallons per plant is best for tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and eggplants.

Leafy vegetable and herbs don’t need as much room, but use a pot at least 9 inches deep so you don’t have to water as often.

Vegetables with extensive root systems such as cucumbers, potatoes, squash and tomatoes need containers with a minimum depth of 16 inches. Remember, the bigger the pot, the bigger the yield. An extra 2 inches deep can more than double your crop.

Overheating of the soil is a common cause of failure in container plantings. Thick wood insulates best, dark colored containers will absorb more heat, light colored containers reflect heat.
Red color is great for tomatoes and potatoes.

Tomato 2

sprouts are doing well this is day 38 from planting the seeds.

This is a potato sprout {link planted in a top soil bag}. on march 22, 2009
It looks to have frost damage. so we will see if it comes around. I will wall it up with more soil.Purple stems and leaves is usually associated with cooler temps or transplant shock and usually goes away on its own . This can happen to tomatoes too.

I transplanted these out side on Sunday April 12, 2009 It has been cold and rainy and yet they are still alive today . Low was 36 Degrees and tonight will be low 30's .
today April 13 - Scorpio (water, feminine) Mars; Loins; very fruitful and moist Produces sturdy, reliable plants. Plant most vegetables and flowers for large yields; excellent time to plant beans, berries, cantaloupes, cauliflower, cereal, chicory, eggplant, peas, potatoes, pumpkin Hi 45°F Lo 37°F Precip A half inch to an inch of rain is expected through Monday.
So I will try to put out some seed tomorrow.

The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Self watering containers

To start making self watering bottles take a empty clean soda or juice bottle, and make drain holes around the top. You may click on the photos to enlarge them.
Then cut the bottom off where it can be used as a cup.
I inserted Polly fill as a wick. Then I placed a bit of organic potting soil in the bottom.
This photo shows how it will sit in the cup it should touch the bottom.

I placed the plant I was transplanting in. When you have 2 seed that germinated. You can either cover over the weakest plant.


Or risk separation


The next 2 photos have what they look like complete.
They were buried deeper in the cup to form new roots.
I then place them in front of a window or under a grow light. Tomatoes are good at growing roots on there stem.
I am also experimenting with the Polly fill in the bottom of all the cups to see if the will self water. It has helped so far with keeping the seedlings alive. I can see the moister in the side of the cups.

This ideal came from Link to Inside Urban Green
The have lots of self watering ideals.
Upside down soda bottle

COMPANION PLANTING CHART

COMPANION PLANTING CHART Types: Fruit .ROOT. FLOWER. LEAF .
CROP	Good Companions	INCOMPATIBLE
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) ROOT	Tomato, Parsley, Basil	Onion, Garlic, Potatoes
Beans (Phaseolus) Fruit	Corn, Tomatoes, Spinach, lettuce, rosemary, summer savory, dill, carrots, brassicas, radish, strawberry and cucumbers Eggplant, Summer savory	chili peppers, sunflowers, alliums,Beets,(onions, garlic, etc), kales (cabbage, broccoli, etc)pole beans may choke Tomatoes,
Beets ROOT	bush beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions
Brussels Sprouts LEAF ______________ Broccoli FLOWER	beets, celery, cucumbers, dill, garlic, hyssop, lettuce, mint, nasturtium, onions, potatoes, rosemary, sage, spinach, swiss chard ________________________ SEE:{Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Familly}	______________________
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Familly LEAF	Aromatic Herbs, Celery, Beets, Onion Family, Chamomile, Spinach, Chard, Beans, geraniums, alliums, rosemary,Nasturtium, Cucumbers, Dill, Kale, Lettuce, Potatoes, Sage Spinach. Thyme	Dill, Strawberries, Pole Beans, Tomato, mustards, peppers. Lettuce. strawberries,Broccoli. Cauliflower,Tomatoes
Carrots (Daucus carota) ROOT ______________ Cauliflower FLOWER	Tomatoes, Alliums (Onion Family) (leeks, shallots, etc), rosemary, wormwood, sage, beans, flax, Pea, Lettuce, Rosemary, Sage, Beans, Radishes _______________________ SEE:{Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Familly}	Dill, parsnip, radish, Anise. Parsley ______________________
Celery (Apium graveolens) LEAF	Onion & Cabbage Families, Tomato, Bush Beans, Nasturtium, Cosmos, Daisies, Snapdragons	corn, Aster flowers, these can transmit the aster yellows disease
Corn (Zea mays) Fruit	English Pea, Pumpkin, Cucumber, Squash, beans, Sunflowers, legumes (beans, peas, soybeans etc), peanuts, curcubits (squash, cucumbers, melons, etc), amaranth, white geranium, lamb's quarters, morning glory, parsley, and potato	Tomato, Celery
Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus) Fruit	Beans, Corn, Pea, Radish, Lettuce, Nasturtiums, radishes, marigolds, sunflowers peas, beets, carrots, and Dill, Cabbage,Cauliflower, Sunflowers	Potato, Aromatic Herbs, Rue, Tomato, Sage, Melons
Eggplant (Solanum melongena) Fruit	Beans, Peppers Marigolds, tarragon, mints	Avoid Runner beans
Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea {ROOT} SEE:{Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Familly} ______________ Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) LEAF ______________ Melons Fruit	Beets, Cucumber, Onion celery, dill, garlic, hyssop, lettuce, mint, nasturtium, potatoes, rosemary, sage, spinach, swiss chard ________________________ Carrot, Radish, Strawberry, Cucumber, Kohlrabi, beans, carrots Asparagus.Beets Brussels sprouts, Corn, Eggplant, Onions, chives, Peas, Potatoes. Radishes,Spinach Sunflowers, Tomatoes, garlic, kale, radishes, strawberries _________________________ Corn, Nasturtium, Radish marigold, oregano, pumpkin, radishes, squash	Pole Beans, Pepper, Strawberry, Tomato This is in Cabbage family so best not to mingle with them. ______________________ Broccoli, celery, cabbage, cress, parsley _________________ ?
Onion Family ROOT	Beets, Carrot, Lettuce, Cabbage Family, Summer Savory,Broccoli, Peppers. Potatoes. Spinach, Tomatoes. brussels sprouts, chamomile, cauliflower, carrots, , kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, peppers, strawberries, summer savory, swiss chard	Beans, Peas. Sage
Parsley {LEAF}	Tomato, Asparagus, corn	?
Pea Fruit _ ___________ PEPPERS Fruit	Carrots, Radish, Turnip, Cucumber, Corn, Beans , Cucumber, Radish, Turnips _________________________ Basil, Coriander, Onions, Spinach Tomatoes	Onion, Family, Gladiolus, Potato, Turnip __________________ Beans, Kohlrabi
Potato, {ROOT}	Beans, Corn, Cabbage Family, Marigolds, Horseradish	Pumpkin, Squash, Tomato, Cucumber, Sunflower
Pumpkin- Squash (Curcurbita spp) Fruit	Corn, Marigold beans , Nasturtium. Buckwheat, catnip, tansy, radishes	Irish Potato
Radish (Spinacia oleracea){ROOT}	Basil, Coriander, Onions, Spinach Tomatoes, Peas, Nasturtium, Lettuce, Cucumber	Beans, Kohlrabi, Hyssop
Spinach LEAF	Strawberry, Peas, Beans	?
Squash Fruit ____________ Strawberry Fruit	Nasturtium, Corn, Marigold ________________________ Bush Beans, Lettuce, Onion, Spinach	Potato __________________ Cabbage
Tomato Fruit	Beans. Roses, peppers, asparagus, basil, oregano, parsley, marigold, Alliums, celery, Geraniums, Petunias, Nasturtium, Borage, Onion Family, Nasturtium,Radishes Spinach,Thyme, Asparagus, Carrot, Parsley, Cucumber. Celery. Lettuce, Melons	Fennel, Black walnut, corn, peas, dill, potatoes, beetroot, kale. kohlrabi, cabbage,rosemary,Broccoli Brussels sprouts. Cauliflower
Turnip {ROOT} _____________ Winter Squash Fruit	Pea _________________________ corn, melons, pumpkins, borage, marigold, nasturtium, oregano	Potato ______________________

Notes:
Tomatoes and all members of the brassicas family repel each other and will exhibit poor growth when planted together.

Lettuce and kohlrabi are good together because the lettuce will be harvested by the time the kohlrabi needs all the space in the row

Beans and onions are natural enemies, so keep them at opposite sides of the garden

The roots of French Brocade Marigolds emit a substance that repels nematodes in the immediate area.

Marigolds when grown with just about any garden plant, repelling beetles, nematodes, and even animal pests

Mints (including hyssop, sage, and various "balms") repel slugs, a bane of lettuce and cabbages

Tomatoes grow better with carrots, but may stunt the carrots' growth.
Beans (which are bad for tomatoes) provide the nitrogen carrots need more than some other vegetables.
The reason why most people say do not plant corn by tomatoes is that they are both eaten by the same bugs. , because if one crop becomes infested you will lose both crops if they are close to each other.

Planting tomatoes and potatoes together makes potatoes more susceptible to potato blight.
Kohlrabi & Fennel both, inhibits the growth of tomatoes.

Aromatic companion plants repel carrot fly. Sage, rosemary, and radishes are recommended by some as companion plants, but listed by others as incompatible.
alliums inter planted with carrots confuse onion and carrot flies. For the beneficial insect-attracting properties of carrots to work, they need to be allowed to flower; Otherwise, use the wild carrot, Queen Anne's Lace, for the same effect. Flax produces an oil that may protect root vegetables like carrots from some pests.

The growth of beans and peas is stunted by garlic and onions.

Carrots, dill, parsley, and parsnip attract garden heroes -- praying mantises, ladybugs, and spiders -- that dine on insect pests

Rosemary repels cabbage flies, geraniums trap cabbage worms, same general companion profile as all brassica (cabbage, kolhrabi, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, etc)
Flea Beetles are warded off by radishes.

Although cabbage and cauliflower are closely related, they don't like each other at all.

Basil planted among tomatoes protect the tomatoes from horn worms, and sage scattered about the cabbage patch reduces injury from cabbage moths.

catnip, help to repel aphids and cabbage pests.

Nasturtiums are so favored by aphids that the devastating insects will flock to them instead of other plants. A strong blast of water is usually enough to get rid of the aphids. They can also be prone to flea beetles, slugs and the caterpillars of cabbage white butterflies.
Great kinks to learn more,

1.Home and garden This site explains some of how plants help each other.

April moon chart

Note click here for updated calendars for each new month

Looks like April 22 is my day to garden .

I have chose to use these dates for moon planting this month.
it is a compromise between the diffrent date posted all over.
I would love to know if any one really knows what the right sign is for the moon.
I am in mid Missouri so this is the closest I can find for my area.


April 9 - Virgo
Full moon approx 11:56 central
April 10 - Virgo changing to Libra

April 11 - Libra Hi 63°F Lo 42°F April 12 - Scorpio Libra changes to Scorpio Hi 58°F Lo 46°F Precip 50 % Waning Gibbous Moon
April 13 - Scorpio (water, feminine) Loins; very good for sturdy and reliable plants. vegetables and flowers for large yields; , I will plant cauliflower, broccoli . carrots.
Hi 52°F Lo 41°F Precip 40 %
April 14- Scorpio Hi 58°F Lo 43°F Precip 20 %
April 15 - Sagittarius (fire, masculine); Archer; Jupiter; Thighs;
onions, garlic, peppers, chilies and radishes Hi 67°FF Lo 47°F Precip 10 %
April 16 - Sagittarius Hi 60°F Lo 46°F Precip 40 %

April 17 - Capricorn*(earth, feminine); Goat; Saturn; Knees; productive Good for most planting. Plant bulbs, potatoes, root crops, beans, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, onion sets, radishes, flowers and fruit trees
Cloudy with shower Low: 37 °F High: 55 °F Precip 40 %

Last quarter moon approx 10:36 am ct
April 18 -Capricorn Mostly Cloudy A shower in the afternoon Low: 32 °F High: 61
April 19 - Capricorn changing to Aquarius Hi 58°F Lo 43°F° Precip 20 %
April 20 - Aquarius Flowering plants.Hi 62°F Lo 43°F° Precip 60 %
April 21 - Aquarius Hi 68°F Lo 43°F° Precip 20 %
April 22 - Pisces (water, feminine); Fish; Neptune; Feet; one of the most fertile signs A great time for planting most types of crops, including broccoli, bulbs, Brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, chicory, cress, cucumbers, endive, horseradish, parsley, peanuts, radishes, pumpkins, flowers (for abundance) and deciduous trees.
Biodynamic gardeners plant most flower, fruit and vegetable seeds two days prior to a new moon. This is considered the ideal time because light and gravitational conditions during seven days following new moon become increasingly favorable for the development of roots and plant foliage. The moon shines a bit brighter and lunar gravity increases a little each day giving young plants an early boost.
Weather Mostly sunny and colder Low: 39 °F High: 57 °F Avg Hi 68°F Lo 43°F°
April 23 - Pisces
April 24 - Pisces new moon approx 12:23 pm ct

April 25 - Aries (fire, masculine); Ram; Mars; Head; dry and barren Not good for planting anything; good for cultivating, destroying noxious growth and pests, weeding and harvesting.

April 26 - Aries
April 27 - Gemini (air, masculine); Twins; Mercury; Arms/Chest; dry and barren Not good for planting anything; good for cultivating, destroying noxious growth and pests, weeding and harvesting.
April 28 - Gemini
April 29 - Gemini changing to Cancer
April 30 - Cancer (water, feminine); Crab; Moon; in the old ways my Aunt used it is not a sign used for planting. But in the biometric ways and sild real ways it is the most fertile sign.

Wisdom from my elders.
According to my Aunt in WV They used these old rules to plant by.

Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces are good planting signs,

Aries Gemini Leo Cancer Taurus Libra Virgo not good.
Plant underground root plant during the dark of the moon.
Plant above ground crop like tomatoes in the light of the moon.
Do not plant in full moon.

Planting with Pisces Yields twice the crop
Leo plants will die if damaged in this sign.
Virgo crop will be diseased if damage in this sign.

TOMATOES & companion plants.

I will be planting in my 2009 garden.

- Brandywine Pink 80 days. {indeterminate}
The most popular heirloom vegetable! A favorite of many gardeners, large fruit with superb flavor. A great potato-leafed variety from 1885!
Beautiful pink fruit up to 1-1/2 lbs. each!





Flame (Hillbilly)80-85 days. {indeterminate}
A huge, bi color heirloom, brilliant yellow color with red marbling. Very large with a rich, sweet flavor. Beautiful when sliced. An heirloom believed to be from West Virginia.

Gold Medal75-90 days. {Indeterminate}
The 1 lb fruit are among the smoothest bi colored tomatoes and are one of the most beautiful . Lovely yellow fruit are blushing with rosy red that radiates from the blossom end. The firm flesh is of superior quality, being sweet and mild. The low acid content makes them great for fresh eating. From the late, legendary seed collector, Ben Quisenberry.

Aunt Ruby's German Cherry Tomato {Determinate}
78 days-Here is a wonderfully cute, flavorful and unique green cherry tomato that was selected from the renown "Aunt Ruby's German Green". The 1-2 oz. fruit are shaped like little beefsteak tomatoes and have the full-sized tomato flavor packed into these bite-sized snacks. The plants produce loads of fruit, but some may still be red- colored, as this selection has not been fully stabilized yet. Rare and colorful.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow, set fruit, and ripen continuously until a frost arrives. Also known as vining types, they require staking or other support
determinate tomatoes plants that are bushy, whose fruit ripen over a 3 to 4 week period, and generally do not need staking. Caging is usually recommended
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
companion plants.
TOMATOES: : asparagus, basil, bean, carrots, celery, chive, cucumber, garlic, head lettuce, marigold, mint, nasturtium, onion, parsley, pepper, marigold, pot marigold and sow thistle.
Tomatoes repel the asparagus beetle.
tomato plants can stunt the growth of your carrots but the carrots will still be of good flavor.
Basil repels flies and mosquitoes, improves growth and flavor.
Bee balm, chives and mint improve health and flavor.
Borage & nasturtium deters tomato worm & Borage improves growth and flavor.
Dill, until mature, improves growth and health, mature dill retards tomato growth.

Do Not plant: corn and tomato together they are attacked by the same worm. Kohlrabi stunts tomato growth.
Keep potatoes and tomatoes apart as they both can get early and late blight contaminating each other.
Keep cabbage and cauliflower away from them.
Don't plant them with in 100 feet of walnut trees as they will get walnut wilt: a disease that can affect many plants. I do not even compost my leaves because I have 3 walnut and 2 pecan trees in my yard. Click here to see information on walnut wilt

April planting table

Central America planting table for April 2009 from Mother Earth New.

VEGETABLES	Sow Indoors	Sow Outdoors	Transplant
Arugula		XXX
Asparagus		April 11	XXX
Beet		XXX
Broccoli		April 11	April 22
Brussels sprouts			XXX
Cabbage			XXX
Cauliflower		April 11	XXX
Carrot		XXX
Celery			XXX
Chard		XXX	XXX
Eggplant	XXX
Endive		XXX
Fava bean		XXX
Fennel, bulb	XXX	XXX	XXX
Kale			XXX
Kohlrabi		April 11	XXX
Leek		XXX	XXX
Lettuce		April 11	XXX
Mellons Onions, bulb		April 11	April 22 XXX
Pac choi		XXX
Parsnip		XXX
Peas (snow, shell, snap)		XXX
Peppers	xxx
Potatoes		April 11
Radishes		XXX
Rhubarb			XXX
Radicchio		XXX
Squash		April 11	April 22
Scallion (green onion)		April 11	XXX
Shallot			XXX
Spinach		XXX
Tomato	XXX		April 22
Turnip		XXX

On April 10, 2009 I started seeds in small 3 oz cups for
Flower Datura Ballerina formula mix. & Sacred wright.
Broccoli Calabrese green sprouting $ Romanesco Italia

I think I get it now!

Thanks to Lunar Gardening Basics By Ellen Brown's web site.

For today
It is the day before the full moon so we are still in the Second Quarter Moon
which means , gravity starts to play less of a role, but the increased moonlight creates optimal conditions for leaf growth. This is a good time to plant crops that are harvested above ground, but form seeds inside their fruit (beans, melons, peppers, squash, tomatoes)

According to this calendar.
tropical zodiac . "Virgo changing into Libra today from April 8-10 Garden works with flowering plants," Them leaf plants com in on the 11 th.

the sidereal zodiac has Virgo only from April 8-10 : Garden works with root vegetables, compost works, transplanting, dunging, sowing the lawn. Flowers come into play on the 11 th.


Full Moon Tomorrow.
During a full moon, the gravitational pull is strong once again (increasing soil moisture), but the decreasing moonlight translates into focusing energy toward root growth. This makes the full moon phase ideal for planting root crops (carrots, onions, potatoes), planting bulbs and transplanting due to increased root growth.

You have to look at both the moon phase and the zodiac sign. It they don't agree. Then it is not a good time to plant. Like above Sidereal zodiac said root crop and moon is good for root growth so this the way to go.

The tropical zodiac has flowers so they will not do as well with the Full moon tomorrow being full.

Tomato update 1

Tomato seeds were started March 5, 2009
Peat pods were used with tooth picks inserted to keep the plastic bags up.
All these seeds were started the same time. Some how they did not all sprout at the same time. And too many seeds were place in each pod. I think all the seed germinated. next time only 1 seed per a pot and no more peat pods will be used. There root system is way too small. I do not have the heart to destroy any of them so I separated them. and transplanted them today. I only did a few as it is not to be done so close to a full moon. According to the moon garden guide lines. So we will see if this is true. I will wait till the 11 th to do more. The 15th is the next day to work with tomatoes. But they can not wait that long.

This photo shows the new seeds I planted in small cups. They are growing by leaps and bounds. They were planted on March 29, 09 3 days after the new moon. So the garden by the moon calendar was right on this one. I planted Cabbage tree from Carla. Thank you Carla !
Lemon & Crystal apple chuke's , Ananas D' Amerique mellons. and Sugar baby water melon. I have them setting close to the base board electric heater to warm them. Some people use a heating pad to do this.
MELONS: Companions: Corn, pumpkin, radish and squash. Other suggested helpers for melons are as follows: Marigold deters beetles, nasturtium deters bugs and beetles. Oregano provides general pest protection.
After removing the tomatoes from the plactic bags this photo shows all 3 staged of replanting they have gone through. Note: They are all place at a south facing window.

Step 1 was to insert peat pod in a cup.when they are at this stage.

Step 2 transplant up to in larger container and cover with dirt up to the red line.
I am using soda bottles that will be self watering. I first insert the batting used for pillows. into the bottom of the cut off bottle. It will act as a wick. I them place dirt in and the plant. The bottom that was cut off will be used under it to hold water. I will do another post to show you more.
This is a closer look at what they should look like after transplanting them to the red line in the upper photo..

Moon garden for

Date: 08 April 2009

Contradictions! How do you know which is right, 3 sources each are split between the 2 Libra and Virgo ?
Up date I found Libra is a tropical zodiac
and Virgo is a sidereal zodiac
So depending on which form of lunar gardening you use the sign will guide you.

Moon at 4°10' Libra,

Root
Waxing gibbous

Virgo (earth, feminine); Virgin; Mercury; Bowels; “Bloom Days”; moist but barren Good for destroying weeds and pests. Vegetables will not do well if planted in Virgo (big blooms, little ‘fruit’), but it is a good planting sign for most flowers and vines for large bloom yields. Don't plant vegetables or trees.

Libra (air, masculine); Balance; Venus; Kidneys; moist and semi-fertile Used for planting crops where good pulp growth and roots are desirable; another good sign for flowers and vines. Plant seeds for hay, corn, fodder, grain. Flowers, bulbs, barley, beans, beet, cabbage, carrot, peas, squash, tubers and vines.