#plantingtime

I read this book, “The Magickal Family,” which had some interesting advice about planting within the same cycles as the moon. Aside from anything pagan, the explanation was quite scientific in nature. The moon pulls on water (like the tides in an ocean), so in turn, all things that rely on water are (in perhaps very subtle ways) affected by the moon. The advice is as follows:

First Quarter: plant flowering annuals that produce seeds on the outside and leafy crops as all the energy goes to the leaves, also a good time to plant grains (buckwheat)

Second Quarter (waxing moon): plant flowering plants that produce their seeds on the inside (tomatoes) and cane plants (raspberries, blackberries). They will benefit as growth and liquid absorption begin to peak

Full Moon: plant corn and vining plants (will benefit from the full moon's extra light at night), good time to gather magickal herbs and charge moon water (ok, this is more pagan belief than pure science)

Third Quarter (waning moon): plant root crops or plants that grown from the same stock as the energy goes to the roots

Fourth Quarter (dark moon) - Rest period, work on other gardening chores such as weeding, pruning, thinning out plants, or turning compost

So, I downloaded a moon phase app on my phone. As it’s waxing crescent right now, I’m taking that to mean the first quarter. So, I finished weeding that jungle-that-is-slightly-less-of-a-jungle (or JTISLOAJ) out in that area in front of our house that is between the sidewalk and the street. And by finished weeding, I mean I cleared out a strip of dirt and have allowed the rest to grow freely as long as they promise not to be too egregious. Today, I planted the following there: Portulaca (Moss Rose, Double Flowered Mix), Yarrow (Polish Pastels Mix), Gilia (Globe), and Gomphrena (Globosa Mixed), all purchased from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. I also had a pack of mixed wildflower seeds from Native Seeds. When I opened up the envelopes, I was surprised about how tiny the seeds were. I had this romantic picture in my mind of making small holes and dropping each seed individually and covering them with delicate touches. However, if I did that, I’d be out there for days. So, since they’re all surface sow, I just scraped at the dirt with my trowel (or whatever that 3-pronged tool is called), sprinkled a pinch of mixed seeds inside, covered it lightly with dirt, patted it, and moved on to the next section approx. 10 inches from each other. Then I gave it a good watering. We’ll see what happens. 

Basically, I’m not touching that JTISLOAJ area for the next 6 months because I have no idea what is a weed or is a flowering plant until the flowers actually appear. I’m hoping something decent actually grows, and 6 months from now, I’m not just pulling up clover again.