The Gardening Life
How Does Your Garden Grow?
ACCENT’s garden columnist offers advice for planting your own creativity.

Do you know why it’s best to plant your annuals after the full moon in May? This old wives’ tale has some truth behind it according to garden writer, Lynn Felici-Gallant. In her new column, “The Gardening Life,” Lynn explores everything about gardening from the psychology of gardening to choosing what plants are best for your plot.
 
“Garden lore calls for waiting until after the full moon in May to plant tender crops,” says Lynn, who explains that the advice is guided by natural astrology, which dictates following a combination of the moon’s phase and its corresponding Zodiac sign for best results.
 
If you want to practice natural astrology in your garden this year, advises Lynn, plant flowers and vegetables that bear crops above ground during the light of the moon, which runs from the new moon on May 6 to the full moon on May 19. Flowering bulbs and vegetables that bear crops below ground should be planted after the full moon.
 
Lynn’s new column, “The Gardening Life,” debuted in the March/April 2008 issue of ACCENT and is sure to garner a loyal following. From the psychology of gardening to choosing what plants are best for your plot, Lynn gives experienced gardeners and novices alike helpful hints and tips.
 
Lynn started her first garden 22 years ago in law school. It was a small vegetable, herb and flower garden and tending to it was an escape from her studies. Lynn says that there are two sides to her personality, “creative and analytical.” That small garden allowed her to satisfy both.
 
After Lynn graduated, she practiced law for seven years, working as a criminal defense attorney, advocate for people with low incomes, and sole practitioner. But “I did not pay enough attention to my creative side while I was practicing,” she says. “I really wanted not to ignore that.” So in 1997 she decided to leave the practice of law to focus on gardening, and her second passion, writing.
 
“I have loved to write as long as I can remember,” Lynn says. She considers her new column to be an “incredible opportunity” and a “privilege to have that forum to talk to people about what I love.” Her work at Accent has allowed her to combine her “two greatest passions,” for which she is “absolutely grateful.”
 
In 2007 Lynn started her own business, Indigo Gardens, LLC, specializing in garden design, marketing, and consulting. “My goal in establishing Indigo Gardens was to combine my design and business abilities into a single entity whose purpose is to unearth other’s creative potential,” she explains. Through Indigo Gardens, Lynn helps clients create gardens that reflect their personalities.
 
But Lynn is modest about her proficiency. “I wouldn’t call myself an expert at all,” she says. “I like the word ‘enthusiast.’ I study and research daily. I’m hungry for knowledge.”
 
Springtime cannot come soon enough for a gardener, and Lynn is no exception. “I am completely awestruck by everything that happens in nature in spring.” Lynn says. She is passionate about nurturing plants, watching them grow, and being a part of the bigger picture. Nature, no matter how carefully you plan, is unpredictable and uncontrollable. “I’m humbled by that,” says Lynn.
 
As for her future plans, Lynn is letting nature take its course. For now, she’s content to continue writing, developing her business, and of course, gardening. “I’m happy with where I am,” she says. For questions about gardening, you can reach Lynn at indigogardens@comcast.net
For specific phases of the moon, corresponding Zodiac signs, and a planting table for your area, consult the Old Farmer’s Almanac at www.almanac.com.