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 Planting
by the Moon
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Since
prehistoric times, man has been planting and harvesting crops
according to the phases of the moon. In a nutshell, it
means that various plants do best when planted or harvested at
certain phases.
All crops
that produce their yield above ground should be planted during
the Waxing (New to Full) Moon. The first week is
especially good for crops that have their seeds on the
outside, and the second week (between the 1st quarter and the
Full Moon) is best for crops that produce seeds on the inside.
During
the waning Moon (Full to New Moon) is the time to plant root
crops. No planting is to be done on the day of the New
Moon or Full Moon.
You can scroll
through the moon planting charts for previous and future
months by clicking on the arrows on the moon calendar
at right. The dates will reflect your side of the
international date line, IF your computer clock is set right!
You can click here to
Add
this page to your Favorites
so you can check for the best dates for garden chores, and
plan ahead.
Please
note, the chart is best viewed in
Internet Explorer, and requires
JavaScript
to be installed and enabled.
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How
Does it Work?
As
the Moon revolves around the Earth every 28 days, it reflects differing
amounts of sun depending on its angle toward the light of the sun.
This diagram shows how the Moon moves around the Earth, and the moons
depicted in the outermost ring show how it looks to us from Earth. As
you can see, the intermediate phases between the new moon, first quarter,
full moon, and last quarter are called "crescent" and
"gibbous" and serve to further subdivide the phases.
The
theory is that increasing moonlight is best for annuals that bear their
fruit above ground, and decreasing moonlight is best of those that are root
crops. The full moon and the new moon are considered
"barren" signs when no planting should be done at all, and
planting should not be done on Sundays or on the first or last quarter days
for similar reasons.
More
on the Details
This represents all the phases of the moon, "waning" from
the full moon at left to the new moon at center, then "waxing" to
the third quarter moon at right. In all cases, never plant on Sundays,
or the day of the Full, New, First or Second Quarter moon.
The next part gives more
detail on the concept of using the moon as a guide to gardening. Most
devotees of this practice are people who believe in astrology, but you don't
have to believe in astrology to believe that the moon has influence over
earthly events. After all, the tides are determined by the moon.
Genesis 1:14 states that God put the "light in the heavens...for signs
and for seasons..." so let's give these celestial tools a try.
 Increasing
Light: The period from the new moon to the full moon, which is the
period in which the light is increasing, is best for planting annuals which
provide their yield above the ground.
 Decreasing
Light: The period from the full moon to the new moon, when the light is
decreasing, is best for planting biennials (those plants on a two-year
cycle), perennials, and root and bulb crops. "Plant potatoes during the
dark of the moon" is an old adage.
 During
the first quarter, or the time from the new moon to about half- full,
plant annuals with above-ground yields, particularly leafy plants which
produce their seed outside the fruit. Some examples of first quarter plants
are asparagus, cabbage, celery, endive, and spinach.
 During
the second quarter, or the time from the half-full to the full moon,
plant annuals that have above-ground yields which are vining and produce
seed inside the fruit. Second quarter plants include beans, peas, peppers,
squash, eggplant, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Some plants, such as
garlic, melons, hay, and grains and cereals, do well if planted in either
the first or second quarter.
 During
the third quarter, from the full moon to half-full, plant biennials,
perennials, bulb and root crops, any crops which are planted in one season
to winter over and produce yields the following year, trees, and shrubs.
Some third quarter plants include onions, potatoes, rhubarb, grapes, winter
wheat, and berries.
 During
the fourth quarter, from half-full to new moon, cultivate, pull
weeds, destroy pests, and turn sod.
Planting and
Chores by the Moon
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Waxing
Moon Phase |
Planting
and Chores for the Waxing Phases
Remember
- never plant on Sundays, or the days of the Full, New, 1st or 2nd
Quarter Moon - see moon
phase chart.
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Any time
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Sow
large areas during the waxing moon. Use this time to sow lawns, to
put down sod and to plant wheat and grains.
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Sow
crops like leafy vegetables and flowers, which produce yield above
ground and do not rely on extensive root development.
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Always
plant roses in the first or second quarter of the waxing moon.
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Perform
any grafting chores near the end of January. When grafting fruit or
flower trees, cut grafts in the first or second quarter of the
waxing moon.
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Transplant
and repot houseplants during the waxing moon so the plant can
capitalize on the full moon growth.
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In the
first or second quarter of the waxing moon, take cuttings from
plants you wish to propagate. Once the cuttings are rooted, pot in
the first or second quarter of the waxing moon.
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Water
plants during the waxing moon.
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Pick
fruits and vegetables intended for immediate consumption. Salads are
best when made with ingredients picked during a waxing moon. Because
the water content of the ingredients is higher, salads are
crunchier, juicier and free from woody, unpleasant textures.
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Gather
herbs that are to be used for their essential oils. Oil content is
more concentrated at this time.
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Water
your compost heap.
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First Quarter
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Second Quarter
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Plant cane, such as raspberries,
blackberries and gooseberries, in the second quarter of the waxing
moon.
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During a period of drought, sow
seeds when the moon is waxing, as close to the full moon as
possible.
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If plants need a food boost, it is
a good idea to water down the fertilizer and add it to the soil in
the second quarter, as close to the full moon as possible,
particularly if the plants require phosphorus.
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Harvest grapes to be used in
winemaking as close to the full moon as possible. The grapes will
retain more juice and bouquet.
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Waning
Moon Phase |
Planting
and Chores for the Waning Phases
Remember
- never plant on Sundays, or the days of the Full, New, 1st or 2nd
Quarter Moon - see moon phase chart.
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Any Time
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Sow
crops that produce their yield below ground. This includes root
vegetables such as beets, carrots, parsnips, potatoes, onions and
turnips.
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Divide
your perennials in the third or fourth quarter of the waning moon.
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Start
your compost heap during the waning moon. This phase aids in
decomposition of plant matter.
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Spread
and turn compost and organic fertilizer.
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Mulch in
the third quarter. When mulching fruit trees or roses, leave a small
space around the trunk or base of the plant.
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Kill
weeds and thin out plants.
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In the
late summer, mow your lawn in the waning moon to retard growth, if
you live in an area with heavy summer rainfall.
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Prune
and cut back plants.
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Harvest
crops requiring long-term storage like apples, cabbage and potatoes.
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Harvest
flowers and seeds that will be stored until the next year.
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Use the
waning moon to help cut spring grass. This phase discourages growth
and keeps your lawn under control.
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The
waning moon is a good time to dig herb roots or harvest leaves and
bark intended to be used in medicinal teas. Herbs will retain
maximum potency at this time and dry more easily.
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Perform
all drying activities. Dry herbs, flowers and fruit.
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Third Quarter
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Always
plant trees and saplings in the third quarter, waning moon, as well
as plants that remain in the soil for more than one growing season.
Successful fruit trees are generally those planted during the waning
phase of the moon. This position of the moon encourages development
of root growth and tree bark instead of forcing the plant to
proliferate above ground before it has a strong grounding. Saplings
with firmly established roots are less in danger of damage and
deterioration due to loss of branches or top growth during the
winter.
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Plant
strawberries or their runners in the third quarter of the moon. Most
strawberries thin out and die because ground heaving during winter
breaks their roots. Planting during the waning moon ensures that
root growth is strong and well-developed, even before the plant
begins to fruit.
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Fourth Quarter
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If your
crops require potassium, fertilize at the waning moon. Potassium
absorption is at its peak at the new moon.
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Always
spray fruit trees in the fourth quarter of the waning moon.
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