What to do in your Veggie Garden in October growing by the Moon

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Tips for growing with the Moon in October

Earth up leeks on 2 (after 2pm) – 3, 11 – 12, 20 – 22 and 30 October.

Plant gooseberry bushes and raspberry canes on 4 – 5, 14 – 15 (before noon), 23 – 24 and 31 – 2 November.

Good days for working on your compost heap are 23 and 25 – 26 October. Surface spread compost on 8 (afternoon) and 9 (morning).

There is still plenty of time to sow a green manure crop for digging in or composting next spring.

Make regular checks on the harvest that you have in store. Anything with any mould, or black bits needs to be removed, and used straight away. If you can’t use it, put it on the compost pile, or remove if you think it’s diseased. If a lot seems to be going off, make sure that the crop has plenty of air to circulate, and is kept cool and dark.

Planting by the Moon

When the Moon is in a Fire constellation (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius), plant activity is concentrated mainly in the development of fruits and seeds. This is a good for growing tomatoes, French beans, peas, apples, raspberries, strawberries and cereals of all kinds (and for maintenance and planting seeds where appropriate).

When the Moon is in an Air constellation (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius), the flowering parts of a plant grow well, so this is the time to cultivate vegetables such as cauliflowers, broccoli and globe artichokes, also ornamental flowers.

When the Moon is in a Water constellation (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces), the leaf parts of the plant grow well making this the time to work on salad vegetables, spinach, chard and all the brassica family.

When the Moon is in an Earth constellation (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) roots develop well making it the perfect time to focus on the root crops such as carrots, potatoes and celery.

In October this means that you should be sowing and hoeing the land at the following times:

Roots: Hoe/sow seed on 7– 9 (before 1pm), 15 (after noon) – 17 and 25 – 27. Sow onion sets and garlic.

Fruits: Hoe/sow seed on 4 – 5, 14 – 15 (before noon), 23 – 24 and 31 – 2 November. Broad beans and peas can be sown in the open ground.

Leaves: Hoe/sow seed on (after 2pm) – 3, 11-12, 20 – 22 and 30. Oriental greens can be sown in the open ground whilst lettuce and spinach can be sown under cover. Transplant your spring cabbage and kale seedling and plant rhubarb crowns.

Flowers: Hoe/sow seed on 9 (after 1pm) – 10, 18 – 19 and 29. Remember moon growing works for ornamental flowers too, if you live in the south of the country you can sow seed of hardy annuals outdoors giving them a head start for the following year whilst half-hardy annuals can be sown under cover. Sow seed of any hardy perennials that need stratification outdoors in pots.

Harvesting in October

Various factors influence the quality and preservation of fruit and vegetables after harvest. As a general rule, choose an ascending Moon for harvesting plant parts that grow above ground and a descending
Moon for parts that grow below ground, but avoid the perigee, lunar nodes and stormy weather. Fruit and vegetables that do not store well will last much longer if you avoid harvesting during Water signs and constellations (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces).

Remember if you’re harvesting to immediate use you can do so on any day other than the perigee the ascending node and descending node. Follow the information below if you are harvesting to storing.

Harvest your root vegetables on 2 – 5, 7 – 12 (before noon), 27 and 29 – 31 October when the Moon is descending, the best days to harvest are 4 – 5 and 27 October. Harvest beetroot, carrots, garlic, onions, shallots, turnips and potatoes.

Harvest all other vegetables on 14 – 26 October when the Moon is ascending, the best harvesting days are 14 – 17 and 23 – 26. Harvest broad beans, French beans, runner beans, cabbage, courgette, cauliflower, pumpkin, marrow, Swiss chard, lettuce, peas, tomatoes, squash, sweet corn and spinach. Also harvest soft and top fruit.

No work or harvesting should be done in the garden on 1 descending node, 6 perigee, 13 ascending node and 28 descending node.

For more information on growing with the Moon go to
http://intunewithmoon.findhornpress.com/
http://news.findhornpress.com/ogh.html

• 28 Sep, 2010
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