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:

MAY "MILK" MOON PHASE SCHEDULE:

May 3rd: New Moon
May 4th to 16th: Waxing Moon
May 17th: Full Moon
May 18th till May 31rst: Waning Moon

Jobs to be done during the month of May are:

Buy Tomato seedlings- Go to tomatomania.com and find out where you can buy seedlings in your area from end of March till end of May. A favorite tomato is the 'Better Bush,' if you want to plant just one variety.

The month of May is a great time to feed actively growing plants with fish emulsion. Deadhead, pinch and prune for bushier growth, especially hibiscus, which can get too leggy. Divide and plant perennials.

Plant alyssum, calendula, carnation, chrysanthemum, columbine, coneflower, cosmos, cockscomb, cornflower, delphinium, foxglove, geranium, globe amaranth, hollyhock, impatiens, larkspur, lavender, morning glory, marigold, nasturtium, nigella, penstemon, poppy, rudbeckia, salvia, statice, sunflower, yarrow, zinnia.

In your vegetable garden, plant tomato, pepper, eggplant, squash, cucumber, lettuce, leeks, corn, okra, pumpkin, spinach, basil, melon, chard, celery, turnips, carrots, beets, parsnip, radish, and cilantro.

This is the best time to plant bananas, cherimoyas and other subtropical fruit such as avocados, and citrus, such as the gorgeous and delicious Meyer Lemon.

Thin out your carrots, beets, green onions and lettuce seedlings now.

Make sure tomatoes and peas have tall support.

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 May and which days are best for specific chores:

May 4th till May 16th: 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:

May 7th and 8th: Plant above ground annuals.

May 8th: MOTHER'S DAY!!!

May 11th and 12th: Plant flowering vines.

May 15th and 16th: Plant above ground annuals, especially tomatoes.

May 17th, 18th and 19th: the day of and also 2 days after the 17th is the best time to prune, plant seeds (they germinate faster when planted at the full moon because they absorb more water) and fertilize plants as close to the Full Moon as possible. Cut bamboo and sow a lawn or put down sod.

May 17th is the Full Moon, 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 May 18th till May 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 controlling 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:

May 18th and 19th: Harvest and cultivate, plant tubers and fruit trees.

May 20th and 21st: Plant for root growth.

May 22nd and 23rd: Harvest, cultivate, weed and clone.

May 24th and 25th: Prune, water, compost and fertilize.

May 27th and 28th: Harvest, cultivate, weed and control pests.

May 29th, 30th and 31st: Water, compost and fertilize.

Mow your lawn to slow growth.  First time Composters, start your composter during this period because the Waning Moon phase helps aid in the decompositions of plant matter. 

Get ready for June 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