Here’s this week’s information about the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac. If you need to be in touch with me, my contact information is at the end of this column.
Spring has officially arrived – although it seems as if it got here several weeks ago. “The experts” are saying what’s happening now in our fields, forests and landscapes is some three to four weeks ahead of normal.
Will this trend continue or will we suffer a cold snap? No one can answer that question as we just keep our fingers crossed and hope there are no late killing frosts which could wreak havoc on lots of things – including the fruit crop.
As I was telling one or our writers late last week, the snow like we had a couple of weeks ago really does little harm unless it’s followed by a cold snap that drops the temperatures into the mid or lower 20s. That’s when we have big trouble – cold temperatures.
And while we can’t do much to slow down or reverse the world being gloriously in bloom now, I think it would be advised to still proceed with our gardening as if we live in Central Kentucky – which we of course do –and not in South Carolina!
Let’s remember, statistically, the last killing frost can occur as late as Derby Day (May 5) or in her column this week Kim Cowherd says Mother’s Day (May 13). This year is an anomaly and while I would personally hope it becomes a trend, we must be cautious.
So, again below, is the list of veggies that like cool weather and soil temperatures – and don’t mind the cool nights we have. If our growing season extends far into the fall we don’t need to be in a hurry with warm-weather veggies anyway because there’ll be plenty of time.
All that said, if you’re planting now here’s the information about the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac that are in force this week.
The moon is in the light phase now and will remain there until the next full moon on April 6 at 3:19 p.m. Through this period plant only those veggies that produce above the ground and are from the list below.
The signs
TODAY through Tuesday: The fertile sign Taurus (the neck) rules with the moon in light phase. Plant above-ground producers from the list elsewhere here.
Wednesday and Thursday: Gemini (the arms) comes into force. This is the bean sign, but remember beans are warm weather crops and simply can’t stand frost, let alone freezing weather. This time next month, if all remains the same, I will suggest you give some beans a whirl but not now, not this early. However, Harry Cowherd notwithstanding, there’s still time to plant peas.
Friday and Saturday: The very fertile sign Cancer (the breast) comes into force. Re-read what I wrote about the Taurus days above since it all applies to Cancer, too.
Next Sunday and Monday: The killing sign Leo (the heart) is in force. Take part in any gardening activity but planting.
For early gardens
According to Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky, here’s what we can be planting now: peas, snow peas, spinach, onion sets, radishes, rhubarb crowns, rutabaga, Irish potatoes and turnips, leaf lettuce, Bibb lettuce plants, lettuce head plants, onion plants.
How to be in touch
- Email pcase211@gmail.com or pcase@state-journal.com.
- Call or text (502) 682-5995 or call The State Journal at (502) 227-4556.
- My Twitter account is at full speed so join me @plantingbysigns. You can also visit plantingbythesigns.net and join in more detailed discussions on my blog found there.
- And now I’m on Facebook so “drop by” and join me. My “handle” is “Planting By the Signs” and it’s devoted to general gardening with an emphasis on utilizing the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac. You won’t find any of my baby pictures or my dinner plate from last night – just gardening according to signs and phases.
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