Planting by the Lunar Phases

(Special thanks to Sooz Ellis for this posting.)

Some think this is purely superstition and folklore but it is as old as agriculture. There are definite scientific reasons for planting with the Moon.

There are four quarters in the Lunar Phase, each lasting 7 days. The first two quarters are during the WAXING Moon, or in laymen's terms, it is when the Moon is increasing in light and gravitational pull. This occurs between the NEW Moon and the FULL moon. The last two quarters are during the WANING Moon, or when the Moon's light is decreasing. This occurs during the two weeks AFTER the Full Moon.   

Not only is the moonlight increasing and decreasing during the cycle, but it is also increasing and decreasing the gravitational pull on the Earth. You will see that the tides are higher during the Waxing Moon than during the Waning Moon. With that said the gravitational pull of the Moon also makes the water table in the ground rise as well as increases the amount of light we have in the Earth's atmosphere. And we all know that any plant loves water and light.RIGHT NOW, THIS WEEKEND, is the perfect time for spring transplanting and some seed planting. Even when we know that here in Fallon that we may still have some cold snowy days, and the spring winds are here, it is still the optimum time for transplanting your shrubs and yes, roses. 
We have the perfect storm of conditions....... why:
1. TODAY is the Spring Equinox and the Earth's tilt is changing up for more direct sunlight.
2. We are starting our Lunar Waxing Cycle which means we will have 2 weeks of increased Moonlight and gravitational pull on the water in the ground and the plants themselves.
3. During the last two quarters of the Lunar Cycle, the Waning Moon, the gravitational pull and light are less, but this is the optimum time for planting any root veggies, or plants that have seeds that grow inside such as: melons, peas, tomatoes, squash, beans and peppers.

By the time THIS Lunar cycle is complete, we will see much warmer temperatures and the cycle will begin again. This doesn't mean you should put off any planting, but with a little planning, you can give your plants the best possible start. 

Deux short days away

Update on the garden; NO I COULDN'T WAIT!!! I know that everyone at the nursery will tell you that you shouldn't prune your roses until somewhere around April 15th. We do that for a very good reason. If you prune to early in the season, the new growth that is stimulated by the pruning will have a strong possibility of freezing once again. The problem is, there aren't a whole lot of days available to spend in my own garden during this busy time of year, so I have to grab them when they come. And yesterday, it came. I got the newly sharpened tools out, put on the double thick gloves and went after it. I had every intention of doing one small area of the front yard, and six hours later......they were done.....and so was a whole lot more. Next week....it is on to the side yard.

So with the Spring Equinox just two short days away, what are you doing in your own garden his week? Temperatures are set to be in the 60's again here this week, the sun is shining, the wind has abated...for today, and the birds are making their nests everywhere. I love this time of year!!! See you in the garden soon, Susan

Spring sprouts on a rainy day

How cool is it to wake up to a slightly drizzly, but semi-warm day and realize that you can spend part of it in your own garden. I filled up the fountain for the first time this season and listened as it spilled over the sides and created its soothing sound.  After the pruning workshop yesterday at the nursery I was inspired to tackle the shrubs that were in desperate need, and then it was onto "uncover" mode. Everywhere I pulled back the heavy mulch I applied last fall I found little treasures waiting for me. Spring REALLY IS only a short 17 days away!!!!

walking onions....if you would like some, just let me know...they multiply by the hundreds each year and the flowers are just beautiful. The original few that Jaime gave me are now VERY well established and I  plenty to share.

ahhhhhh......the rhubarb is doing amazing under all the leaf mold cover I used in the fall. I

placed a warm blanket back around them for a few more weeks.

 hardy geraniums that I put in last year are doing nicely with hardly any cover over them. can't wait to see how they spread this year

   leftovers in the compost pile, going to have to break them up pretty soon so they break down better

  spring sprouts, you can just see all of them smiling....just like I am

Pruning 101 with Jay

We got lucky with the weather this last Saturday. No wind, the sun was shining and it made for a perfect pruning day. For the last 12 years we have been very fortunate to have Jay Davison here with us to do our pruning seminar. He is always such a wealth of information. THANK YOU JAY!!
Just in case you missed Jay's informative talk last week, here is a link to his power point presentation as well as some pics of him helping us with the massive wisteria in the nursery.   Jay's Pruning Tips

Tree Huggers Dream

The last few days were spent surrounded by trees. Jaime, Sooz and I set out for the Linden/Lodi area in search of the best trees and shrubs we could find to fill the nursery this spring. We "tag" our own trees whenever possible at the growing grounds. Some may think it is just a way for us to get out of winter for a few days and be surrounded by flowers and beautiful trees. Flowering trees, evergreen trees, BIG TREES, small trees, trees ready to burst with fruit in the near future.....they may be just a little bit right......it was this tree huggers dream come true. 

First stop, Normans Nursery in Linden. We found some of the most amazing fruit trees I think we have ever had. After last years banner fruit crops, it will be nice to have some new varieties to share with our gardening customers. 

 picnic lunch in the orchard

  Quick tour of one of the cloning/rooting greenhouse led to perfect timing for us, Raul was trimming up all the rosemary and sent us home with a massive bag full of clippings. 

seeds in the greenhouse, these will be the shrubs we purchase in about two years time

 tree purchases and tagging complete, it was time to head to Lodi to meet with Stuart Spencer, Program manager for the Lodi Winegrape Commission. Of course we had to try a few of his recommendations also.

last stop on a great trip, Eisley's Nursery in Auburn.

2 days later......HERE COME OUR TREES!!!!!!! 

I WANT SPRING!!!!!

Today was a cold and windy day. After venturing out to take this picture this morning I was CRYING for spring. The sound of the birds overpowering my thoughts, the daffodils bursting forth with color, the peonies peaking their little heads up saying "Is it time.....Is it time?"

I sometimes forget how much I love my garden. I know......you are thinking, how could you forget????  The smell of fresh cut grass, the buds of the crab apple trees bursting forth with an abundance of color, the scraping back of the bark mulch to reveal the little sprouts that contain all the promise of the zinnias summer explosion. The roses budded and waiting to scent the summer air. And oh.........the sweet juicy pop of the first tomato as you bite into it's goodness.

It's coming folks......I promise.

Michelle's Gallery Show

I first came to love all that Michelle created when she played in the garden with us for the last ten years. Upon semi-retirement from The Flower Tree, she started to follow another passion, painting. On March the 9th, she will be having her first gallery opening and joining her will be another artist she knows well, her brother from Washington state.

She is so very talented! Please make plans to stop by on this evening and see what she is creating now.