Planting
Magic Garden | Garden Layout | Selecting Plants | Preparing the Soil | Planting
Planting is guided by the Moon, as is much of a Witch’s life. Herbs that contain their usefulness in seeds, leaves, and flowers are planted during the waxing Moon. Root crops, such as angelica, mandrake, and peony, should be planted while the Moon is on the wane during the third or last quarter.
Some Witches who follow the movement of the Moon through the zodiac will plant herbs only during the moist and fertile signs. These best times to plant are while the Moon is in Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, Taurus and Capricorn.
Trees, as they are perennials and must develop strong roots to remain alive, are planted during the waning Moon, and best of all after the last quarter but before the New Moon.
Flowers, or those herbs specifically valued for their blossoms, such as the lavender and carnation, should be planted while the Moon is in her increase (the first quarter is preferred) and in the sign of Libra for delicious fragrance and beauty. If abundance is more the concern, then plant flowers while the Moon is in Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces.
To find the phases of the Moon and its daily astronomical sign consult an astrological almanac.
If you have followed the above procedures the day of planting should fall upon the day after the first quarter begins. This means that one week remains to finish the above-ground crops.
Naturally, if you are planting by the Moon signs, adjust the following procedures accordingly, to correspond with the correct phase of the Moon and the desired sign.
Gather together the seed packets and/or live seedlings. Place them just as they are in the center of the garden, then go out and buy or make wooden stakes one inch wide and nine inches long. With black waterproof ink write the name of each herb on the stake on both sides. Then, taking up the seeds, plant them according to the directions on the package, following the design you previously laid out. As you sow each herb place the stake that bears its name facing its section. Continue until planting is finished (Remember to plant only the above-ground crops, roots are planted later.)
Plant any seedlings or plants next, and then with rain water or spring water gently sprinkle the garden. As you spread the water talk to the herbs, use your active imagination to visualize the garden not as a wet patch of earth, but as the beautiful growing ground it will soon be.
With care, time and magic your garden will blossom into life. Be careful that the seedlings are never allowed to go dry, and be sure to plant only when the danger of frost has past if you live in a cold climate. Thin the seedlings if they do not thin themselves. When your herbs have grown to a healthy size and are busy and vibrant, then and only then begin to harvest them.