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Eco Garden - June 2011
JUNE 2011 eco garden
Moon Gardening by Priscilla Woolworth
Please check out my blog about Gardening according to the phases of the Moon, where I explain it in more detail.
June "ROSE" MOON PHASE SCHEDULE:
June 1rst: New Moon
June 2nd to 14th: Waxing Moon
June 15th: Full Moon
June 16th till June 31rst: Waning Moon
Jobs to be done during the month of June are:
The month of June is a great time to prune any dead wood in shrubs and trees. Plants with yellowing leaves can be treated with Iron Chelate. Feed roses, citrus trees, and the rest of the garden with fish emulsion or worm juice (natural alternatives to chemical fertilizers).
Give tomatoes, pole beans and tall perennials suppport.
Pinch side shoots on the tomatoes.
Hoe and cultivate the soil where needed and break up the surface.
Mow lawns to 3" high.
Thin fruit trees and water deeply.
Deadhead lilacs and spring flowers.
Plant alyssum, calendula, cosmos, cockscomb, cornflower, geranium, globe amaranth, impatiens, larkspur, morning glory, marigold, nasturtium, nigella, poppy, salvia, sunflower, and zinnia.
In your vegetable garden, plant tomato, pepper, eggplant, squash, cucumber, lettuce, leeks, corn, okra, pumpkin, , basil, melon, turnips, carrots, beets, parsnip, radish, and cilantro, onion, bean, and peanuts.
This is the best time to plant avocado, cherimoyas, mango and citrus, such as the gorgeous and delicious Meyer Lemon.
Wash aphids off tender new growth by filling a spray bottle with water and add 1 tsp environmentally safe dishwash soap and spray the aphids right off the plant. Works every time!
Following is a Moon Gardening calendar for June and which days are best for specific chores:
June 2nd till June 14th: the Moon is in the Waxing phase, when the lunar gravitational pull brings the water up, which makes it a good time of the month to encourage plant growth and proliferation. Plant seeds, transplant, re-pot, trim and prune for growth. Also, fruits and vegetables that are tender and should be eaten immediately are at their best when gathered at the Waxing Moon, because the water content is higher, salads are crunchier, and fruits are juicier.
Recommended days for these garden chores:
June 2nd: Plant melons
June 3rd and 4th: Plant above ground annuals
June 7th and 8th: Plant flowering vines.
June 9th and 10th: Plant above ground annuals, especially flowers and herbs.
June 12 and 13th: Plant above ground annuals.
June 14th and 15th: Harvest, cultivate and prune.
June 15th, the day of the Full Moon and also 2 days after is the best time to prune, plant seeds (they germinate faster when planted at the full moon because they absorbe more water) and also fertilize plants as close to the Full Moon as possible. Cut bamboo and sow a lawn or put down sod.
The day of the Full Moon is when water is at the highest level in the month and is a really good time for planting and gathering any herbs to be used for their essential oils because oil content is more concentrated at this time.
From June 16th till June 31rst, the Moon is Waning, and the energy of the earth is drawn down but the gravitational pull is high, creating more moisture in the soil and this energy goes into the roots making it a good time of the month to sow crops that produce their yield below ground and control plant growth by pruning, weeding, and controling garden pests, as well as dividing perennials. This is the best time for garden maintenance because the growth cycle of plants decreases. Fruit trees do best planted at this time of the month because the position of the moon encourages development of root growth and tree bark, essential to their success. This is also the best time to cut wood, because it resists parasites and cures better. Farmers pick their apples, cabbages, potatoes and onions at the Waning Moon, when water content is lowest and so the harvest stores better and keeps longer. Best time to dry herbs, flowers and fruit and the herbs are at their most potent.
Recommended days for these garden chores:
June 16th and 17th: Plant for root growth, especially tubers and onions.
June 18th, 19th and 20th: Harvest, cultivate, weed, and control pests.
June 19th: Father's Day!
June 21rst: Plant for root growth.
June 23rd and 24th: Harvest, cultivate, weed, and control pests.
June 25th, 26th and 27th: Water, compost and fertilize.
June 28th and 29th: Harvest, cultivate, weed, and control pests.
Mow your lawn to slow growth. First time Composters, start your composter during this period because the Waning Moon phase helps aid in the decompostions of plant matter.
Get ready for July 2011 Gardening according to the phases of the Moon! Subscribe to my Almanac and get your monthly update every month from me.
Thank you!
Priscilla Woolworth
Get ready for traveling away from your plants this summer!
Self Watering Probes are a simple and effective way of watering your plants while you are on vacation. Just soak them in water for a couple of minutes to prepare the tips, then insert the probes into the soil of your potted plants and place the hose ends in a water reservoir nearby. The water will be slowly emitted through the ceramic cones, automatically watering your plants without the need to set timers or worry about electronic devices being turned on while you are away.
Orange Rubber buckets
I have several of these large buckets and they are really useful and last forever. This one is 18"x18"x17" and weighs 2.3 lbs and is super for all sorts of jobs in the garden.
This Rubber Bucket is made from old car tires and is 100% handmade, making each piece unique. The Bucket is extremely durable, and is ideal for storing items like firewood and garden hoses outside.
