I bought one of the 25 foot pocket hoses and liked it so much I bought another one to extend the hose to 50 feet. Then I bought another one for a different faucet. I really loved not having to lug around and reel in a very heavy hose.
I’ve just now been outside using the last 25 foot hose I bought when suddenly it blew off the connector! I’m soaked and the hose is useless. You can’t fix these things like you can a regular garden hose. Continue reading
You work 40 hours a week, have commitments every Monday and Thursday evening, and a family to attend to every day of the week. Is it possible to follow the rules for lunar gardening when you’re limited to weekend gardening?
YES!
The first and most important idea behind lunar gardening is to use the waxing and waning phases as your guide. There are only a few “rules” to follow. You won’t even need an almanac or calendar. Your guide is in the sky. Continue reading
Aquarius ~ Jan 19-Feb 18, 2013
Aquarius is considered the rebel or eccentric of the zodiac and would be hard-pressed to fit into someone else’s mode or style. Since freedom and experimentation are two Aquarian traits, this is the time of year when you when you can throw caution to the wind and do what feels good and makes you happy.
If you’d like to stick with traditional Aquarius themes, here are a few tips to get you started. Some are more traditional while others are way out there.
Carnival glass from David Doty’s website
These next two suggestions are off the beaten track for Aquarius, but Aquarius is a free spirit and won’t be held back.
Check out The Wild and Wacky Aquarius Garden for more about Aquarian flowers.
Every year, Pantone picks a color of the year. This year they’ve given their nod of approval to Emerald. That has to put a smile on every gardener’s face.
Green is a color belonging to all the earth signs, but especially to Taurus. Shades from grass and pine to medium and dark forest green have a nurturing, healing and pacifying effect. (Don’t forget that the emerald is the birthstone of Taurus and the month of May.)
Every gardener knows about the healing effects of green. Spending just a few minutes a day in our gardens ~ even on a dreary winter day ~ can give us a refreshed spirit and clear insight.
Pantone has also included two other greens in their 2013 palette ~ Tender Shoots and Grayed Jade. What gardener could resist a name like Tender Shoots?
Did you know that greens don’t clash? It’s just one of the many reasons that we find nature so restful.
We can benefit from restful, soothing green indoors, too. We can add green to our color scheme by making it a part of everything from wall color to knick knacks, but there’s really no better way to add it than with air-purifying plants.
Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Jacques (Photo credit: adaduitokla)
After all the holiday decorations come down, a home can start to look a little plain. Here are some quick tips to add a little Capricorn to your environment.
Times noted are EDT.
In the garden this week:
Moon in PISCES on Monday and most of Tuesday is the best time this week to fertilize your garden. Don’t forget your house and patio plants! It’s a good habit to change up your fertilizers once in a while. Keep a bottle of fish emulsion on hand for fertilizing during Pisces. Just makes sense, right? And easy to remember.
If you’re already in the habit of photographing your garden monthly, Pisces is an excellent time to get your shots. This is also an excellent time to tend to your water features ~ fountains, pools, koi ponds, wells, and birdbaths.
Gardeners often think of their entire garden as their sanctuary. Do you have a special part of your garden that feels more “sacred” than others? Spend some time in that part of your garden daily to connect with spirit. If you don’t have a designated garden sanctuary already, just pick your favorite spot. It doesn’t have to be over-the-top or even noticeable to your garden visitors. It could be a swing or a statue of St. Francis, Mary, or Quan Yin tucked into a bed or corner. In the long run, your garden sanctuary doesn’t require any kind of garden ornament at all. It’s what the space evokes in you that makes it sacred. Continue reading
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Times noted are EDT.
I’m making a slight adjustment to the weekly calendar, starting it on Monday now. That gives weekend gardeners all the lunar info you need in one post. I’m playing a little catch-up with this post by including the weekend of May 5-6th.
![Scorpio_thumb[3]](/Documents and Settings/CJ Wright/Local Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles25D1B3/Scorpio[5].jpg "Scorpio_thumb[3]"){kind=small}
We awake to the Moon in Scorpio on Saturday where it stays until very late Sunday. Here’s a little something to keep in mind ~ the Moon in Scorpio is waxing on Saturday before it’s full, but waning on Sunday. If you’re setting out annuals, do that on Saturday. Sunday the Moon changes to the waxing phase, so turn your attention to perennials. Scorpio is a very fruitful sign (second only to Cancer) so the weekend is perfectly suited to all kinds of gardening tasks. It’s helpful to have both waxing and waning hours to make the most of the weekend. Some folks won’t plant on the Full Moon at all. Use your sound judgment on this one. If the weekend is the only time you have, take advantage of it.
By 9:40pm on Sunday the Moon leaves Scorpio to enter the dry, barren sign of Sagittarius. With the lushness of the season, there are plenty of things to turn your attention to for the next couple of days. Check for aphids, spider mites, and scale. You can use a commercial insecticidal soap (which gets expensive) or you can make your own and save enough money to buy another plant. All you need is a pure liquid soap and some vegetable oil. Adding garlic and pepper helps, too. Here’s a recipe from Organic Gardening Web. Camellias and gardenias are extremely prone to scale. If that icky, sticky scale is the problem, you probably need a full attack. Here’s a good resource on how to get it back in control. Continue reading
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The effects of color on our psyche and mood is well documented. Perhaps there’s a clue or two about how using these colors in your home or clothing can help integrate the qualities of each sign.
The main colors associated with Virgo are classic navy blue (indigo) and gray. These colors are mature and conservative, seeking respect, responsibility, and organization.
Navy blue is an intellectual color representing self-reliance and responsibility. The color of wise counsel, wearing or surrounding yourself with navy blue can motivate you to resolve problems and become more efficient.
If you like this color, you’re probably the take-charge type and think of yourself as resourceful, responsible, and intellectual.
You may also feel vulnerable and protective of your emotions. If that’s the case, use navy blue as a buffer between your feelings and the harsh world. It’s an excellent color for retreat and meditation because it draws your focus inward to search for beauty and a sense of justice, or feelings of security and love. Continue reading
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The waxing phase continues through the Full Moon on Saturday, but with only a few really good planting days. Best days are May 3-5. Exclude the 5th if you don’t like planting on the Full Moon.
Leo and Virgo are barren signs, best for general cleanup, weeding, pest riddance, and the like, though I prefer to get rid of things when the Moon is in the waning phase. The waning phase signifies release, so it just makes sense.
![Leo1_thumb[2]](/Documents and Settings/CJ Wright/Local Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles25D1B3/Leo1[4].jpg "Leo1_thumb[2]"){kind=small}
Last week I mentioned focusing on the star of your garden and adding garden decorations while the Moon is in the royal sign of Leo. I picked up a fantastic garden ornament from a local nursery that I adore. It’s a gazing ball with moon and star cutouts, perfect for a lunar gardener or a moon garden. It can be used just as a gazing ball, but a candle can be placed underneath it for nighttime use. It casts beautiful dancing moon and star shapes when a candle is placed inside, making quite a fanciful centerpiece for outdoor dining. I kept it outside for a while, but I love it so much that I’ve brought it back indoors.
Did you know that Leo is associated with the back? If you need to get your “back forty” prepped for planting during a fertile sign, Leo is a good time to do just that. Leo is a dry, barren sign, but that doesn’t mean it’s useless. If you’re setting something in Quikrete (that fast setting concrete), use the fiery force of Leo to help it set well. Make your own garden stepping stones using Quikrete and personalize them. Check out the video below to learn how. Continue reading
Sunday brings us the waxing Moon in Taurus, one of the most fertile signs for planting, starting seeds, and transplanting. The waxing phase is perfect for annuals of all kinds ~ flowers or seasonal veggies. There’s a lushness that is always burgeoning in the south while the Sun is in Taurus. The greens are deep and rich. Leaves and vines are thick and heavy.
If you like a sparse garden that’s very manicured, Taurus may be your nemesis. You may be endlessly whacking away at what feels like unmanageable growth.
The month of Taurus is one of my favorites. It’s not too hot here in Zone 8 yet and everything looks so healthy and rich. The air is clean and clear and the grass has greened up. Gorgeous!
Sunday is also Earth Day. Do something special this year. Add a compost pile to your yard or invest in a small composter. I was lucky to receive a composter from a friend who had one too many. Hard to believe, I know.
You don’t have to pay a lot for a composter. In fact, you can make one from a plastic garbage can. I have a dear friend who swears by this type of composter. It’s cheap to make and is also a good gardening project. Forget fancy-schmancy. Check out this video on how to make one from P. Allen Smith. Continue reading
