| Moon Phase Gardening | | | | There are no hard and fast rules to make things |
| Gardening by Moon Phases is one of the oldest | | | | difficult, just some general, helpful ones. Let the |
| activities of humankind, and it is still one of the most | | | | following be your guide to optimizing your moon |
| rewarding and least complicated. But even though this | | | | phase gardening. Study basic gardening techniques, |
| universal pastime is pleasant and simple once you | | | | plants you should know and understand the basic |
| know what you're doing, a helping hand or bit of | | | | how and why of growing them. |
| advice at the start can save disappointment. | | | | Tips for Beginners |
| If you've never turned a spadeful of earth (or even | | | | The following conclusions and advice are based on |
| if you've gardened for years by rule of thumb), it is | | | | the observations of many gardeners who like you |
| important for you to understand the soil underfoot: | | | | were once novices in the garden. |
| what it's composed of, how to improve it, how to | | | | Don't get into emotional knots about gardening. Enjoy |
| water it and add nutrients for good plant growth. | | | | it! |
| Once you've dealt, literally, with the groundwork, you | | | | Don't be too ambitious the first year or so, while you |
| can delve into special techniques such as sowing | | | | develop your skill. Take on just a little at a time. |
| seeds, growing cuttings, and soil amendments. You | | | | Beware of impulse buying. Make a plan, and know |
| can learn how to be a wise nursery shopper, and | | | | why you need a plant and where you're going to put |
| how to get your plant off to a good start after you | | | | it before you start shopping. |
| bring it home. | | | | Get the basic plants in first, working on a long-term |
| Learn such specialties as outdoor gardening in | | | | plan. The first to go in should be your major shade |
| containers, indoor plants, vegetable gardening, | | | | trees. |
| flowering plants, and basic trees and shrubs. Purchase | | | | Remember that plants develop rapidly. Shrubs and |
| a special gardening glossary which interprets some of | | | | trees will grow large sooner than you think. |
| the special gardening jargon that old hands like to | | | | Don't plant bulbs and other flowers in a long single-file |
| toss around in conversation. | | | | row. They'll look better in groups. |
| Learn your garden fundamentals. You'll find it comes | | | | Keep a notebook of suggestions to yourself about |
| in handy from the day you choose your first spade | | | | what you want to plant where, dates to do things, |
| to the time later on when you may decide to try | | | | and dates you have done them. |
| your hand at something more challenging. | | | | You must thin annuals. Otherwise they will stretch up |
| How to Cultivate Your Green Thumb | | | | and become lanky. |
| Approach gardening as an exhilarating adventure! You | | | | Get ideas by visiting other gardens. Drive about to |
| are going to create beauty with living plants that | | | | see what is in bloom each week. |
| grow and change from day to day, and month to | | | | Learn identification of plants by sending for illustrated |
| month, as you watch and aid. This is exciting, | | | | seed and nursery catalogues. |
| fascinating and satisfying. | | | | |