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Moon
Gardening
PLANTING BY THE MOON
Moon agriculture is a method that provides great enjoyment in the
effort and a wonderful sense of accomplishment at the results.
Plan planting by the moon by choosing the correct moon phase and the
most beneficial moon sign.
A few moon facts
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The moon has a 29 ½ day cycle.
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There are 8 phases of the Moon
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The Full Moon rises at sunset
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Each night the Moon rises roughly 48 minutes later
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The New Moon rises at sunrise.
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The Moon passes through all 12 signs of the zodiac in a month
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(2 ½ days per month in each)
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(The Sun remains in a zodiacal sign for about 1 month)
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The Moon affects all water on our planet
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It is also a well-known fact that the light of a Full Moon can
have a strange effect on both humans and animals!
The Moon influences our planet through every phase of her being.
A mantle of ionised gas, beneath which positive ions collect,
surrounds the earth. On Full Moon the gravitational forces of the
sun and moon slightly squeeze this mantle. This sends positive ions
toward the earth thereby increasing the amount of positive ions on
the Earths surface. At the New Moon the gravitational pull of the
sun and moon lifts the mantle slightly and then reduces the number
of positive ions at the Earths surface
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A quick guide to the 8 phases: |
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New Moon to 1st quarter |
called 1st quarter increasing |
time to PLANT |
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1st Quarter
to Full Moon |
called 2nd quarter increasing |
time to FEED |
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Full Moon to 3rd quarter |
3rd quarter decreasing |
time to HARVEST |
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3rd Quarter
to New Moon |
called the 4th quarter decreasing |
time to RECYCLE |
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Waxing Crescent |
best germination occurs |
time to thin seedlings |
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Waxing Gibbous |
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plants draw the most nutrients from the soil |
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Waning Gibbous |
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seeds settle and ripening occurs |
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Waning Crescent |
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time to prepare for the next cycle |
(See
diagram at bottom of page)
The movement of the Moon has a connection with the rising and
falling of the tides and this movement affects all water, including
the water within us. When water is rising during the increasing
moon, seeds, crops etc. find it easier to draw water from the soil.
Water flows to the root system as the full moon draws to a
close. In the 1st and 2nd quarters we plant leafy crops with a
shallow root system. In the 3rd and 4thquarters we prepare beds and
soil, weed, manage pest control and start composting. In an
increasing phase water is drawn upwards with the pull being the
strongest on Full Moon. In the decreasing cycle the water flows to
the root system.
Cycles
The Earth Cycle:
Early morning until the day warms is the best time to water and cut
flowers. Noon is the time of full sun and a period of quietness.
Evening is when the day starts cooling and is the time to pick fruit
and vegetables.
It is also a good time to transplant.
Night is the time to relax and breathe in the scent of your labours.
The Sun Cycle:
A good time to start planting cool season vegetables
This is a time of slow growth
Start digging in compost on those warmer days.
Plant lettuce, peas, carrots etc.
Watch everything bloom! (Remember to deadhead)
The Moon Cycle:
1st quarter is the time of leaf growth, plant spinach and lettuce.
2nd quarter is the best time for planting, plant tomatoes, pumpkins,
and beans.
3rd quarter is the time of most growth, plant bulbs.
4th quarter is the time for pruning and making compost.
Full Moon is a good time to transplant perennials.
A Zodiacal sign dominates each day. In turn these zodiacal signs
are dominated by a planet, which also effects, to a much lesser
extent, tides and weather.
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