| Moon Phases and Planting | | | | to encourage strong leaf growth. It was generally |
| Planting by the phases of the moon is a method of | | | | considered a good time for most types of planting |
| cultivation as old as agriculture and civilization. Based | | | | and the prime time for this was usually two days |
| both in tradition and superstition, the character and | | | | before the full moon. The types of crops that prefer |
| growth traits of plants were seen to vary with the | | | | the second quarter moon are annuals that produce |
| phases of the moon. Through the corridors of time | | | | their fruits above the ground, but the seeds form |
| this rhythm of growth was recorded and passed | | | | inside the fruit, such as beans, melons, peas, peppers, |
| down to following generations. | | | | squash, and tomatoes. |
| Today we have access to this half forgotten | | | | The Third Quarter Moon: A window of opportunity |
| knowledge and what has endured is a schedule of | | | | for planting root crops |
| plant growth that we can use just as those | | | | When the moon enters the third quarter its light is |
| gardeners of yore. It is an example of mankinds | | | | diminishing (i.e. waning half moon), the light energy is |
| struggle to understand and harness the forces of | | | | dwindling. But during this time the gravitational pull is |
| nature and in so doing master this world. | | | | still quite high, creating increased moisture in the soil. |
| Moon, Tides, Seeds and Water | | | | Also, at this time the moonlight is decreasing, which |
| The Earth is in a gravity well that is constantly | | | | our forefathers believed was putting energy into the |
| altered by both the sun, moon and planets. The | | | | roots. This was thought to be an excellent time for |
| ocean tides are at their highest during the time of | | | | planting root crops which include beets, carrots, |
| the full moon, when the sun and moon are lined up | | | | onions, potatoes, and peanuts. It is also considered a |
| with the earth. The ancients believed that as the | | | | good time for planting perennials, biennials, bulbs and |
| moon draws the tides in the seas, it also draws upon | | | | transplanting because of the active root growth. |
| all water, causing moisture to swell up in the earth, | | | | Pruning is also best done in the third quarter moon. |
| which promotes growth. This is the best time for | | | | The New Moon: An opportunity for maintaining the |
| planting seeds. | | | | garden |
| The Full Moon: A window of opportunity for planting | | | | At the time of the new moon both the gravitational |
| seeds | | | | pull and the moonlight are decreasing and was thus |
| When the moon is full the lunar gravity draws water | | | | considered a resting period. Growth during this period |
| up and causes seeds to germinate. It was also | | | | was believed to be stable and steady providing |
| believed, in ancient times, that the increasing | | | | strength to the plants and a good time for |
| moonlight created balanced root and leaf growth. | | | | maintenance. This was predicted to be the best time |
| This, they thought, was the best time for planting | | | | to cultivate, harvest, transplant and prune. |
| above ground annual crops that produce their seeds | | | | Brother Sun and Sister Moon |
| outside the fruit. Examples of such crops are lettuce, | | | | The role of the sun and the moon in agriculture is |
| spinach, celery, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and | | | | undeniable. The sun powers the forces of growth |
| grain crops. Through time and trials cucumbers were | | | | and the moon enhances or discourages the various |
| thought to like this phase also, even though they are | | | | stages of plant formation. This was believed by |
| an exception to the rule. | | | | many generations of gardeners to be the ultimate |
| The Second Quarter Moon: A window of opportunity | | | | guide to robust crops. We can either accept or omit |
| for planting above ground crops | | | | this system of understanding the nature of plant |
| In the second quarter moon (i.e. waxing half moon) | | | | maturation but in the end we are but stewards in this |
| the pull of gravity is less, but the moonlight is | | | | cycle of life. |
| substantial and on the increase, which was believed | | | | |