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Plant Cosmos Using the Cosmos

Posted on by Brandi
Plant Cosmos Using the Cosmos
29
Oct

Unlocking the Lunar Calendar: Full Moon Names and Moon Gardening

This week on the podcast, we took a journey to the sky, exploring a gardening method that’s been guiding humans for centuries: Moon Gardening. It turns out the moon doesn’t just control the tides; for gardeners, it might just control what you plant and when! Shout out to Jennifer for sending us this question:

“This was my first year gardening and I’ve got the bug! I’ve started planning my garden for next year and read some things about planting by moon cycles. I was wondering if you could give some info on this topic – is it total bunk or actually useful?”

What’s in a Moon Name?

You’ve probably heard of the Harvest Moon, but did you know almost every full moon has its own distinct title? These names were traditionally given by Native American tribes, colonial Americans, and other folk cultures to mark the seasons. They are simple, elegant markers that tell a story about what was happening on Earth.

Month Full Moon Name Name Origin/Meaning
January Wolf Moon Named for the hungry packs of wolves heard outside villages.
February Snow Moon Named for the typical heavy snowfalls of mid-winter.
March Worm Moon Signals the thawing of the ground and the reappearance of earthworms.
April Pink Moon Named after the phlox subulata, one of the first widespread spring flowers.
May Flower Moon Named for the great abundance of flowers blooming this month.
June Strawberry Moon Named by Algonquin tribes for the short strawberry harvesting season.
July Buck Moon Named for the time when male deer (bucks) begin growing new velvety antlers.
August Sturgeon Moon Named for the large fish that were easily caught in the Great Lakes during this time.
September Harvest Moon The full moon closest to the autumnal equinox (often appears very large and bright).
October Hunter’s Moon Named for the best time to hunt under the moonlight to stock up for winter.
November Beaver Moon Named for the time to set beaver traps before the waters froze, or for beavers preparing their winter dams.
December Cold Moon Named for the true arrival of cold winter weather.

There’s also the famous Blue Moon. While it doesn’t actually look blue, this is the Second Full Moon in a Single Calendar Month. It happens roughly every two or three years because the lunar cycle (29.5 days) is shorter than most calendar months

Digging by Moonlight: The Moon Gardening Debate

Moon Gardening, or lunar planting. is the practice of timing your gardening activities with the phases of the moon.

Here’s the breakdown of what to do during each phase:

  • Phase 1: New Moon to First Quarter (Waxing Crescent): This is the time of increasing light and gravitational pull, believed to draw moisture up. This is the best time to plant annuals that produce outside seeds (like spinach, lettuce, and cabbage).
  • Phase 2: First Quarter to Full Moon (Waxing Gibbous): The period of strong moonlight and high growth energy. This is ideal for planting annuals that produce seeds inside (like tomatoes, beans, and peppers).
  • Phase 3: Full Moon to Last Quarter (Waning Gibbous): The light and gravitational pull begin to decrease, driving energy down to the roots. This is the perfect time to plant root crops (potatoes, carrots, and onions), perennials, and biennials.
  • Phase 4: Last Quarter to New Moon (Waning Crescent): The lowest energy and light period. This is the maintenance phase. This is when you should focus on weeding, tilling the soil, pruning, and harvesting (since the lower moisture content improves flavor and storage life).

What’s the truth versus the ‘woo-woo’ here? Is there hard scientific evidence? Not a ton. But this isn’t some new-age fad; it is an ancient concept practiced by farmers for millennia, and it’s taken seriously enough to be widely recognized by the Farmers Almanac. Whether you believe in the physics or just enjoy the rhythm, it offers a fascinating way to connect with the cycles of nature. Even it doesn’t make a huge difference in your yield, perhaps it can help you space out your garden and be more intentional. We could use a little more magic in the garden, couldn’t we?

Ready to see how the lunar calendar lines up with your growing zone? Use this resource to find a personalized moon planting chart for your specific region: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Planting Calendar

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CREDITS

Hosted by: Brandi Warren & Colin Hayles

Voiceover by: Kaelan Shimp⁠⁠

Music by: Forestmusic

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Calcium Nitrate:

Mix Ratio: Apply ¼ teaspoon per 2 litres once a week. I full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended preventing blossom end rot and calcium deficiency in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchinis, and cannabis. It is also highly beneficial for all leafy greens and cruciferous plants (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli etc.).

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Iron Chelate

Mix Ratio: Soil drench – apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix ratio: Foliar spray - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 4 Litres of water once every 4 weeks. A full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended for correcting iron deficiency in a variety of plants grown in high pH soil. Iron deficiency is diagnosed by the yellowing or pale colour of the plant leaves, especially in young growth.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

High Drainage

Moisten Thoroughly before use: (optional) Peat moss can be water-repellent. Before use, thoroughly wet the soil.

Potting:

Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Fill the pot with the moistened soil, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more soil.

Firm the soil gently.

Watering:

This is crucial! Water frequently, especially during hot weather.

Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger into the soil.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is low in nutrients, fertilize regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Consider Amendments:

For plants that prefer more moisture retention, you can add a small amount of coco coir or vermiculite to the mix.

Important Notes:

Overwatering: While frequent watering is necessary, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Plant Selection: This type of soil is well-suited for seed starting as well as plants that prefer well-drained conditions, such as cacti, cannabis, succulents, and some tropical plants.

Adjustments: You may need to adjust your watering frequency based on the specific plant and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight).

Alberta Blend

Moisten the Peat Moss before use: (optional) Peat moss can be hydrophobic (water-repellent) when dry. Before using it, thoroughly moisten it. You can do this by placing it in a container and adding water, then squeezing out any excess.

Mixing: (optional) Our Private Label Alberta Blend comes ready to use, expertly formulated for your plants, either indoors or outdoors.

If you're using this mix as your own base, combine it with worm castings, volcanic dust, vermiculite, etc. to improve nutrition, drainage and/or aeration.

Potting:

When potting your plants, ensure that the pot has drainage holes.

Fill the pot with the moistened potting mix, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more potting mix.

Lightly firm the soil around the plant leaving ½ inch to an inch of space at the top for watering.

Watering:

Because peat moss retains water, be careful not to overwater.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly before watering again.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is nutrient-poor, you'll need to provide your plants with regular fertilization.

Use the correct fertilizer according to the plant's needs.

20-20-20 Houseplant Complete

Mix Ratio: For all houseplants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week once every week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

It is highly recommended to start your houseplants on a fertilizer regime, but only while they are actively growing. Houseplants tend to have a period of dormancy (normally winter, however poinsettias, Xmas cacti etc. are exceptions to this rule) and whilst dormant they should not be fertilized.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

22-6-15 Plus Herb and Leafy Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all herbaceous and leafy vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This fertilizer is ideal for all leafy vegetables and for herbs. This product can be used year-round if you grow herbs indoors.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

20-12-28 Tomato and Fruiting Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all fruiting vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Use this fertilizer on planting day and push right through until the plant either stops producing or reaches the end of season. In the case of transplanted seedlings this fertilizer should be used after the 2 feedings of Js - Jump-Start & Transplant.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

10-52-10 Jump-Start & Transplant

Mix Ratio: For outdoor summer plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Normally two applications, one at the time of transplanting, the second application can be done one week later from the initial fertilizing. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix Ratio: For seed starting - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Do not over water seedlings, feed every 2 weeks until transplanted outside. Feed them at the time of transplanting outdoors, then one more feeding a week later. After that start using the correct fertilizer for type of plant. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

 e.g. Vt Vegetable: Tomato and Fruiting for tomatoes, F3 Flower flower flower for bedding out/annual plants.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

4-5-28 Perennial Complete

Mix Ratio: All perennials (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks from spring to late summer. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your perennials. For existing perennials, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. new shoots etc.). For new perennials we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

28-14-14 Plus Trees and Shrubs - Fruit and Flower

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water per week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

14-7-21 Tree and Shrub Leaf & Needle

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your evergreen/coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

15-10-30 Flower, Flower, Flower

Mix Ratio: Outdoor plants (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water twice a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your annual plants. We recommend starting to fertilize at time of planting outdoors and go through to first frost.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.