Except for spinach through Tuesday and radishes through Sept. 15, unprotected outside planting for this year is over, according to the experts at the University of Kentucky. While we’re still enjoying some wonderful weather, Fall officially begins on Sept. 22 at 5:19 p.m., the days are noticeably shorter and we’ve had some cool nights.
This will, of course, just continue and planting veggies that don’t have time to make it to harvest is a waste of your time, energy and resources.
Nonetheless, here’s the overview for the month of September according to the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac for those doing planting or transplanting inside the house, greenhouse or planting fall flowers and trees or needing other information which might be helpful.
The Moon
The light moon is in force now and until 12:03 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4 when the dark moon comes into force with the appearance of the full moon. Proceed with only light-moon activities through Sept. 3 and the dark moon activities beginning Sept. 5.
The light moon comes back into force at 2:44 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 with the new moon that features no moon visible in the sky when it takes over. It continues to rule until the full moon in October at 2:10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4.
As you just read, the dark moon comes into force with the full moon arriving around lunchtime Friday, Sept. 4 and continuing to rule until the new moon Sept. 18. From Sept. 5 through Sept. 17 pursue dark moon activities only – which would include planting radishes through Sept. 15.
The Signs
Remember: Check to see if the moon is in the light or dark phase (information above) before proceeding with planting or other activities, indoors or out.
Fertile signs: the most fertile signs in the zodiac rule these days. Sept. 5-6, Pisces (the feet); Sept. 9-10, Taurus (the neck); Sept. 13-14, Cancer (the breast); Sept. 23-24, Scorpio (the secrets.) There are eight days this month ruled by the most outstandingly fertile signs: Scorpio, Taurus, Pisces and Cancer.
Killing signs: No planting, transplanting, or dealing with things you want to thrive should occur on these days. Reserve them for cultivating, cleaning out fence rows – anything but planting: Sept. 7-8, Aries (the head); Sept. 15-17, Leo (the heart). That makes five killing days, those ruled by either Aries of Leo.
So-so days: These aren’t particularly fertile nor destructive, just so-so: Sept. 1-2, 28-29, Capricorn (the knees); Sept. 3-4, 30, Aquarius (the legs); Sept. 25-27, Sagittarius (the thighs). There are nine days this month ruled by the so-so signs: Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius.
Flowering days: These are “bloom days” and well suited for planting flowers – indoor ones in pots or planters, too – since it’s the blooms we’re after: Sept. 18-19, Virgo (the bowels); Sept. 20-22, Libra (the reins). There are five flowering days in September ruled by the two flowering signs, Virgo and Libra.
Gemini days: Gemini (bean days) rules the arms and is in force on Sept. 11-12.
And there you have the month of September.
General tips
Again, here are a few general tips for activities other than planting:
>If you have gravel to pour on a drive or roadway, do that in the light of the moon so the gravel won’t sink. Same applies for stones on a garden path: Place them when the moon is in the light phase so they don’t sink. Check above for the right days.
>If you’re setting fence posts, do that in the light of the moon so the posts don’t sink.
>If you’re putting on a new shingle roof, do that when the moon’s in the dark phase so that the shingles stick down and don’t curl up on the ends.
>If you have changes to make like stopping smoking, starting a diet or exercise program, weaning small animals or children, scheduling elective surgery – anything that requires a change – here’s the formula: The moon in the dark phase and the signs going out of the body, past anything that “functions.”
This month there are only two days that fit that formula and those are Sept. 5-6 (dark moon/sign in Pisces) and they’re across a weekend when elective surgery is real tough to schedule! But for other changes, be underway before Sept. 7 when the sign moves to Aries (the head).
If you have you have questions, need clarification or have testimonials, then give me a call here at Your Hometown Newspaper, 227-4556, ext. 258 or e-mail me at pcase@state-journal.com.
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