Want to learn about gardening by the moon and when to seed, sow, and harvest for the best crops? Continue reading.
Since very old times people have been using gardening by the moon to plow, seed and harvest their crops, as they were aware of the moon’s influence on agriculture. Centuries later, astrologers and now cosmobiologists have verified this ancient wisdom and there is a comeback in using the phases of the moon to reap what you sow, literally. They have caried out various experiments that confirmed the long-lost knowledge of our ancestors, and we want to share them with you today.
In This Article You Will Find:
What Is Gardening by The Moon?
Gardening by the moon, also known as lunar gardening or moon gardening, is a gardening practice that involves planning and performing gardening tasks based on the phases of the moon. The ancient philosophy behind gardening by the moon is about using the subtle forces of the moon to produce good yields, as well as delicious, healthy and nutritious crops.
Gardening by the moon uses a lunar planting calendar, which outlines specific activities to be done during each phase of the moon, such as planting, pruning, harvesting, and cultivating. The lunar gardening calendar typically divides the lunar cycle into four main phases: new moon, first quarter, full moon, and third quarter, each lasting approximately ~7.4 days. Here are the best gardening by the moon tips in a super-quick guide anyone can use.
Gardening by The Moon – Quick Guide
1. New Moon
This period of time is considered sort of like a wrath of the earth. Plant sap reaches the upper part of the plant due to the gravitational pull of the new moon. Thus, it is believed that fruits are more durable, making it a favorable period for harvesting fruits. The slowly waxing moon promotes rapid leaf and stem growth, and thus this is also a good time to sow plants that produce above-ground crops such as leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, as well as cabbage and celery, aromatic herbs, annual flowers, and fruit-bearing plants.
2. First Quarter (Waxing Moon)
It’s ideal for planting and transplanting above-ground crops that produce seeds outside the fruit, such as beans, peppers, cucumbers, corn, watermelon squash and tomatoes, etc. This is also a great time for seedling replication, pruning, cutting flowers, watering and fertilizing the soil.
3. Full Moon
The full moon phase is associated with strong gravitational pull, which is believed to promote vigorous root growth. The reason is that water and nutrients are absorbed through the lower part of the plant. Thus this is the best time for planting root crops like carrots, potatoes, radishes, turnips, onions, and garlic etc., as well as for harvesting root vegetables for optimal flavor and nutrition. Starting on the full moon up until the day before the new moos, is also the best time to plant or propagate flowers with bulbs such as tulips, dahlias, daffodils, irises, anemones etc.
4. Third Quarter (Waning Moon)
As the moonlight wanes with each passing night, the plants are encouraged to rest, making this last phase of the moon suitable for tasks like weeding, and preparing the soil for the next planting cycle. It’s also a good time for pruning and pest control activities, as the plants tent to loose less sap when cutting.
When the Moon passes from one phase to another, there is a certain slowing down of the rhythm of life, as if the earth stops breathing. On these days (12 hours before and 12 hours after), it is better to not plant or sow anything, because the soil will not be able to provide the plants with enough vital energy. Moving, cutting or pruning plants is also not recommended during this time.
Read Also: How to Start a Garden in a Small Space in 7 Steps
While scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of gardening by the moon is limited, many gardeners find value in this practice as a way to stay connected to nature’s rhythms and optimize their gardening efforts. Whether or not you believe in the lunar influence, following a lunar planting calendar can serve as a helpful guideline for organizing and planning your gardening tasks throughout the month.
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