From The Ground Up: Plants, gardening come with lots of folklore

As the planting season approaches many myths, superstitions and interesting theories are told and retold about achieving gardening success. Although these methods are not endorsed by Iowa State Extension, they are interesting to hear.

This is the time of year when many of these practices are relayed because it is the time to plant and transplant. The most common practice is to plant crops by the phases of the moon. The moon is called a waxing moon when it goes from a new moon to a full moon. It is called a waning moon when it transforms from a full moon to a new moon.

The Native Americans said that a waxing moon fills the plants hence everything that produces fruit above ground should be planted in a waxing moon. This would be crops such as tomatoes, cabbage and peppers. A waning moon pulls from the top and replentises to the bottom therefore plants that produce underground such as carrots and radishes should be planted during a waning moon.

The next full moon will be March 12 so any time before March 12 will be a waxing moon and any time after will be a waning moon. This of course will be based upon the time between the new moon, which will occur on March 27 and the full moon.

The Native Americans even named the moons and the March moon is known as the worm moon because as the earth warms the earthworms and robins appear. In the northern states this moon is also called the Full Crow moon because the cawing of the crows also signaled the end of winter.

Another interesting planting story is that the best lettuce you will harvest is the crop that is planted before the last snow fall. In this case when to plant is strictly a guessing game.

With Easter approaching there are many superstitions about Good Friday. One story states that you should always plant potatoes on this day. This myth depends on what area of the country you live because in Alabama potatoes must be planted before Ash Wednesday due to the warmer temperatures. In Louisiana it is believed by some that it is a sin to plant anything on Good Friday because blood will run from the ground if you break the ground on that day.

Another Good Friday superstition is that if you transplant parsley on this day it will bring death to someone in your family. Whow!! This one is strong enough to never transplant parsley at least until well after Easter.

These of course are only a few of the tales and folklore that surround our planting season. For the real facts of the season, call the Master Gardener Hortline below.

l For questions, call the Linn County Extension Master Gardener Hortline at (319) 447-0647.