planting with moon phases & upcoming events

By Community Garden Network Co-Coordinator Lydia George
The moon goes through a cycle of phases every 29-30 days, and these phases have a strong effect on the growth of plants, so knowing what conditions the different moon phases create can be helpful for growing vegetable gardens. For instance, the moon has a strong pull on the water table, so at certain phases of the moon cycle there will be more moisture in the soil, and also the different amount of light at night created by the new and full moon can affect leaf production. 
The Moon Cycle can be split into four 7 day phases. 
The first phase occurs between the new moon and the waxing half moon. During the new moon phase the water inside of the plants can be found down in the root system below the soil and that's where most of the new growth is made. This makes the new moon phases of the moon a good time to plant vegetables that grow BELOW ground, like carrots, beets, potatoes, peanuts and so on, since it is a time of strong root growth. As the first phase progresses towards the waxing half moon the water in the plant begins to rise out of the roots and towards the leaves.
The second phase occurs in the days between the waxing half moon and the full moon. By the full moon, the water in the plants are in the parts above ground, in the leaves collecting the moon's reflective light and in the flowering and fruiting bodies of the plant. That means that this is a good time for planting seeds or plant starts that grow and fruit ABOVE ground, like tomatoes, peas, peppers, fruit trees and so on. The third phase occurs between the full moon and the waning half moon, and the last phase happens in the 7 days between the waning half moon and the new moon. During these phases the water in the plants sinks back down into the roots below the ground!

https://www.almanac.com/content/planting-by-the-moon
https://mooncalendar.astro-seek.com/gardening-moon-calendar-guide-january-2021

Enjoy!

Tool Repair Workshop Wednesday, June 23rd 5-7pm
Do you have any broken tools? 
Join Max Mandler on Wednesday, June 23rd for a Tool Repair Workshop. Bring any hand tools that you need to have repaired and come ready to learn!  Limit of 10 participants in person
Please email [email protected] to register
https://www.facebook.com/events/490140532216321/

Plant Starts Available at Peace Gardens & Market (formerly Burton Street Peace Gardens)
“Hi, folks! As you may be aware, we host plant sales every year at the Peace Gardens.  This year we have quite a few starts left available. I will be making leftover starts available to the community at $1/each, but wanted to make sure that our fellow community gardens and food warriors have what you need for your gardens and communities first.
If you are interested in picking up a few FREE flats to plant, reply to this message or call (or text) me directly (number below) and we can make arrangements for pick-up.  Depending on demand, I will likely limit it to 2 flats for each garden/group. Contact Info: Safi Martin (828) 301-0166
Please do NOT just drop by the gardens and pick out plants - it is important for us to keep good records of both our sales and donations.

Tomatoes:  Paul Robeson, Black Krim, Tiny Tim, Marglobe Improved, Rutgers, Old Virginia, Cherokee Green, Persimmon, Pineapple, Chocolate Stripes, Pork Chop, Dr. Wyche’s, Ace 55, Red Pear, Yellow Pear, Pink Bumble Bee, Sunrise Bumble Bee, Honeydrop Cherry, Black From Tula, San Marzano Paste, Speckled Roman Paste, Yellow Plum, Orange Banana Paste, Ruby Gold Bicolor, Hillbilly, and many more…
Peppers:  Anaheim, Poblano, Carolina Reaper, Aji Lemondrop, Thai Red, Sweet Banana, and several more…
Herbs & Flowers:  various culinary and medicinal herbs and some remaining flowers (including passiflora incarnata/Passion flower)”  Fore more info visit: https://www.facebook.com/peace.gardens.and.market

Lucy S. Herring Peace Garden Updates: 
Produce Sharing- Produce will be given away starting at 11am and the garden will again be open to the public during weekdays  (Located at 98 Sulphur Springs Rd. 28806)

Garden Workdays will shift to morning times:  (weather permitting)
* Tuesdays from 11- 12:30
* Fridays from 10- 12:00
“Come lend a hand in the garden! BYO garden gloves, water, and wear a mask. We spread out and practice social distancing while we work. Please RSVP to [email protected] or [email protected] (even if it's only an hour before).”

Community Garden Workdays:
Peace Gardens & Market (formerly Burton Street Peace Gardens) Saturdays 10am - 12pm
Contact Safi Martin [email protected] for more info 

Shiloh Community Garden, 59 Hampton St., - Saturdays 10am - 2pm
Contact Lydia george [email protected] for more info

Joyner Street Community Garden, 25 Joyner St., - 4th Saturday of the month 10am - 1pm
Next workday will be on May 15th. Sign up to attend HERE 

Root Cause Farm is hosting volunteer opportunities on Wednesdays and Thursdays 10-12. Folks can sign up here! https://safe.rootcausefarm.org/np/clients/rootcausefarm/publicaccess/eventCalendarBig.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1 

Other Community Resources/Events  

Firefly Valley Community Garden is seeking metal or wooden fence posts, four or 5 feet tall, and a gate to finally put in a fence around our garden. The rabbits are coming, the rabbits are coming!! :-) 
If anyone has any to donate or a good contact for discounts, please let Ona know at [email protected]. 
Thank you! 

The Organic Growers School Gardening Series features 2 classes for each season: Spring, Summer & Fall. Get year-round garden guidance to support you in having your best year in the garden yet.
Summer Series: July 26th and August 2nd, 2021 6:00-8:00pm EST
Topics: Crops for Fall, Low Tunnel Construction, Winter Gardening, Planning for next year’s garden:  Cover Cropping, Double Digging, Sheet Mulching.
Find out more and sign up today!

Fern Way Farm School
Registration now open for garden
& forest-based K-12th camps! 
If you have kids, grandkids, or just know kids and young adults who will be eager to explore the woods this summer, or care for a chicken, or survey for salamanders, Fern Way Farm School in Black Mountain is the place for them! All registration fees are on a sliding scale, and scholarships are available. LEARN MORE & REGISTER here! Contact [email protected] with any questions - we look forward to welcoming y'all to camp!

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