Dreaming Dove's Lunar Gardening Guide

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Planting by the Moon

Full Moon through trees

Planting by the Moon is a simple method of planning your gardening activities to take place at certain preferred times of the lunar month. This method is especially beneficial when planning your seed sowing and plant propagation.

Although not proven by science, age-old wisdom concerning growth cycles is based on the lunar cycles. It is believed that the Moon is a regulator of growth and development. For a more complete explanation on the influence of the Moon and why the Moon phase system works, click here.

An early planting study was made by E. and L. Kolisko (They made planting experiments between 1926 and 1935 in Germany.) Quoted from their paper ... "As a general rule, seeds sown two days before a full moon push through the soil very quickly in a few days time. Seeds sown two days before a new moon take longer and, in most cases, wait in the soil for the next waxing time but they never catch up to the seeds planted two days before the full moon."

Kolisko concluded, "The phase of the moon at planting time influences the length of time until germination, the percentage of germination and the growth of the plant."

In a nutshell, as the full moon draws close in the phase of the waxing or increasing moon, fluids are drawn upwards. As the new moon draws close, in the waning or decreasing phase, fluids flow to the root systems.

By working with this natural monthly rythym, you will find it easier to organise your various gardening tasks that are required on a regular basis. The additional benefit of using the lunar cycle is the improved success you will notice concerning your growing efforts. That is, a better germination rate for seeds, and your plants will be healthier, stronger and more resilient under harsh conditions. Even your produce will have an improved quality.

Planting by the Moon goes hand in hand with good organic gardening methods. When the two are combined, you will find that working in harmony with nature provides the best results. Of course, there are still seasonal limits on when particular plants or crops can be grown - planting by the lunar cycle only tells you which days within a given season are best for your gardening efforts.

Zodiac Wheel

Planting by the lunar cycle is a system based on using each of the weeks (phases) of the lunar month for planting a specific crop - which, if sown then, will flourish better than using an adhoc timetable. During each lunar month, which begins with the New Moon and ends with the Dark Moon, the moon travels through all the astrology signs, taking 28-29 1/2 days to complete the cycle.

A new moon always occurs when the Sun and Moon are in the same sign. A full moon occurs when the Moon is in the opposite sign to the Sun.

The waxing Moon phase is a good time to encourage plant growth and proliferation. When the Moon is waxing, do all activities with above-ground plants. The Waxing Moon occurs 2-3 days after the New Moon. For a two-week cycle of time the Moon's size increases and energy rises. Everything is active, vital, outgoing and expressive, bringing to fruition the seeds planted at New Moon. A waxing Moon corresponds to Artemis, the Goddess of enchantment.

Water intake is decreased at the new Moon. During growing seasons plagued by drought, sow your seeds as close to the full Moon as possible, in order to ensure optimum germination.

The waning Moon phase (associated with harvesting) symbolizes contraction, inwardness, receptivity, cutting back, and ending the energy begun at the New Moon. It is also a good time for completing, tidying up, or eliminating anything that is no longer necessary. This time is best used to control plant growth and keep down garden pests. During the waning phase, it is a good time for work with root plants. According to Pliny, "All cutting, gathering and trimming is done with less injury to the trees and plants when the Moon is waning than when it is waxing."

Further, even within the "preferred" week for planting, there are some days that are more fertile than others. This difference is based on the astrological sign position that the Moon is moving through at any particular time. The Moon travels through each one of the Zodiac signs roughly once a month, staying in each sign for approximately Old Zodiac Symbol

two and a half days before moving on to the next one. Weather permitting, try to plant as close to the middle of the recommended cycle as possible. If you miss your day, don't worry. The Moon will pass through another sign with the same element (ie: Water, Air, Earth or Fire) in another nine days.

Sometimes it is easier to understand this theory by visual means. An excellent animated picture showing the four Elements as the Moon moves through the Sidereal Zodiac during its cycle can be seen here.

It is not recommended to plant on the day of an eclipse, the New Moon or Full Moon.

A general rule of thumb is this:
New Moon to First quarter - Plant
First quarter to Full Moon - Waxing - Feed
Full Moon to Second quarter - Harvest
Second quarter to New Moon - Waning - Destroy

Of course the planetary aspects determine which crops/flowers/activities are best suited during any "quarter" of the Moon's phase. See the table below for the most suited activities at any one time.

An Ephemeris will detail the exact minute, hour, day and time when each of the planets (including the Moon) goes through the various Zodiac signs.

Of the twelve zodiacal signs, the three fertile signs (water signs) are Scorpio, Cancer and Pisces. Generally considered good for planting leafy crops (eg: lettuce, cress, endive, alfalfa, Chinese celery, comfrey, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower) The three semi-fertile (second choice) signs are Taurus, Libra and Capricorn. The remaining six zodiacal signs - Aries, Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarious, Aquarious and Leo - are considered the dry, barren signs.

The New Moon begins the first week of the gardener's month. The crops that will do best when planted now are the leafy annuals as well as summer flowers and roses. - leafy annuals are those from which the foliage is the desired part of the plant. This includes the cabbage family (broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, kohl rabi) - also celery, lettuce, spinach, silverbeet, asparagus, artichokes, fennel, parsley, basil, cress, dill, coriander, etc

For best results, sow your seeds/seedlings in the two-three day period when the Moon is in a fertile sign (or second best, a semi-fertile sign).

It is a good time to plant those herbs whose leaves and flowers you wish to harvest, and those which you are growing for seed to plant in the future. This is a good time to apply fertiliser but not a good time to pick herbs or harvest fruit or grains.

The Moon reaches it's First Quarter approximately one week from the New Moon.

The second week of the Lunar Month (between the 1st quarter and the Full Moon) is the time for sowing fruiting annuals - those vegetables which you want to produce abundant seed, or the seed-bearing organ of the plant: eg - beans, corn, tomatoes, pumpkin, squash, marrows, peas, peppers and capsicum, eggplant, squash, zucchini, okra, chokos, gourds. Sow and plant annual summer flowers, and berries. This week should not be thought of as distinctly different from the first week. If you simply cannot plant the above crops during the second quarter of the Moon, then plant during the first quarter, and vice versa. Always use fertile signs if possible.

Some crops do equally well planted either during the first or second quarter. These are annual flowers, hay, cereal grains and oilseeds, cucumbers, melons, leeks and shallots. The most powerful days of this phase are those just before the Full Moon.

The Full Moon begins approximately 2 weeks from the New Moon.

Moon Phases.gif

The third week sees the Moon decreasing in light and the life force of the plant returning to its roots. By sowing root crops now, you will achieve better production below the ground. This is the best time to plant beetroot, potatoes, parsnip, carrots, onion, sweet potatoes, turnips, radish, garlic, ginger, chickory and sprouts for eating. etc. Likewise, sow or strike all perennials and biennials now: trees, shrubs, berries and vines, rhubarb, bulbs - any plant which grows on after a period of winter dormancy. It is the root system in these cases which determines long-term viability of the plant. Commence harvesting.

The fourth quarter of the Lunar Month is not a good time to plant. Being a period of low vitality, this is the time to cultivate soil, turn sod, kill weeds and destroy pests. Do this when the Moon is in a barren sign for maximum "kill". Make compost now, create worm farms, remove noxious growth, weeds and pests. Harvest and do garden maintenance. This is the phase during which to harvest crops or herbs which you expect to store for some time.

Moon Phases.gif

To view this month's Moon phases, The OId Farmer's Almanac is an excellent resource.

Other Garden Activities:

Transplant seedlings during the first or second quarter with the Moon is in a fertile sign for best recovery. When the Moon is in Taurus, it is especially good for transplanting. The same applies with grafting .
Apply foliar and soluble fertilisers during a waxing Moon (ie: new to a full Moon); organic manures during a waning Moon (ie: after a full Moon - Full to New Moon). The Moon in Scorpio is the best time for fertilising.
Irrigate in water signs for best results. Water when the Moon is waxing in Cancer, Pisces or Scorpio.
Prune during a waxing Moon to stimulate reshooting; during a waning Moon to retard growth (eg: pinch buds to stop unwanted growth). Always prune on fertile days as this helps plants heal.
Harvest grains, fruits or roots (for better storage qualities) during the waning Moon and with the Moon in a "dry" (barren) sign.

Plant herbs during the first and second quarter Moon phases, preferably in the signs of Cancer (firstly) Scorpio, and Pisces. Exceptions are: Garlic which is better planted during a new or waxing Moon in Scorpio or Sagittarius; Parsley during a new Moon in Pisces, Cancer, Libra or Scorpio; Sage during a full Moon in Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces; Valerian during a new or waxing Moon in Gemini or Virgo.

Perrenial Plants Take into consideration the position of Saturn in relationship to the Moon. A good Saturn placement will help your plants last many years.

At each exact Moon phase, there is a 24 hour period not favourable for planting. Additionally, when the Moon is in dry, barren signs, it is the worst time for planting, trimming or pruning. These periods are the best time for eliminating pests, weeds and clearing out old growth.

Zodiac Sign

Moon in Cancer Night/Cardinal Water Sign	The best time for sowing, transplanting, planting seedlings or repotting. Very fruitful and moist, watery and feminine. This is the most productive sign, used extensively for planting and irrigation. Good for planting any seeds and transplanting new seedlings as well as grafting. Above-ground and root crops will do well when planted in Cancer.
Moon in Leo Day/Fixed Fire Sign	For best results, work soil in Leo. Barren and dry, fiery and masculine. This is the most barren sign, used only for killing weeds and pests, harvesting and cultivation. No planting or tree/vine trimming should be undertaken at this time.
Moon inVirgo Night/Mutable Earth Sign	Barren and moist, earthy and feminine. Good for cultivation and destroying weeds and pests. Good for all garden chores (mulching, cleaning garden tools, etc) . Although vegetables will not do well if planted in Virgo, it is a good planting sign for many flowers and vines.
Moon in Libra Day/Cardinal Air Sign	Sow flowering plant seeds during the waxing Moon in Libra. Semi-fruitful and moist, airy and masculine. Used for planting many crops and producing strong pulp growth, roots and grain yields. A very good sign for planting flowers and vines and sowing seeds for same. Also used for seeding hay, corn fodder, etc.
Moon in Scorpio Night/Fixed Water Sign	Very fruitful and moist, watery and feminine. Nearly as productive as Cancer; Especially good for vine growth, quality and sturdiness. Best time for fertilising (see above re waxing/waning Moon for type of fertiliser best suited). Plant most vegetables and flowers for abundance but don't dig potatoes during Scorpio. Good time to irrigate.
Moon in Sagittarius Day/Mutable Fire Sign	Barren and dry, fiery and masculine. Used for planting onions, peppers, chillis, radish; seeding hay, and for cultivation. A good harvest and trimming time.
Moon in Capricorn Night/Cardinal Earth Sign	Productive and dry, earthy and feminine. Good time for planting root crops, stone fruit trees, bulbs, etc. Good time for grafting.
Moon in Aquarius Day/Fixed Air Sign	Harvest in Aquarius at the new Moon. Barren and dry, airy and masculine. Used for cultivation and destroying noxious growths, weeds, and pests. Limit garden chores to weeding and cleaning up. Harvesting during the last quarter of the New Moon is best.
Moon in Pisces Night/Mutable Water Sign	Very fruitful and moist, watery and feminine. Good for planting all seeds. This sign, along with Cancer and Scorpio, are especially good for deep root growth and planting bulbs. Excellent time for the growth of fruits and berries. Fertilise the garden (see above for best fertiliser dependent on whether the Moon is waxing or waning).
Moon in Aries Day/Cardinal Fire Sign	Barren and dry, fiery and masculine. Plant onions, peppers and garlic. Used for destroying noxious growths, weeds, pests, etc, harvesting and cultivating. Don't plant seeds
Moon in Taurus Night/Fixed Earth Sign	Productive and moist, earthy and feminine. Used for planting many crops, particularly crops that yield below the ground - eg: potatoes, turnips, carrots and other root crops. Good sign when hardiness is important. Also used for lettuce, cabbage, and similar leafy vegetables. Great time for gardening and cultivating bulbs.
Moon in Gemini Day/Mutable Air Sign	Good time for weeding. Barren and dry, airy and masculine. Good time aerating the soil, for destroying noxious growths, weeds and pests, and for cultivation. Pinch buds to stop unwanted growth.

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