When you want to plant something in your garden, does it matter what time of the month it is? There’s an interesting method called planting by the moon. If you have extra time in your schedule and want to try it out, here is more information.
How does planting by the moon work: By understanding the phases of the moon, particularly the two weeks between a new moon and a full moon and the other two weeks between a full moon and a new moon, you can plan out your garden. The moon has a strong gravitational force on earth and we can harness this power for a healthier garden.
What does it mean by planting by the moon?
If you haven’t heard of this phrase before, you’re not alone. However, planting by the moon is an ancient tradition that has been followed for centuries. The process was lost as we developed more modern technologies but the practice is seeing a new resurgence.
The reasoning behind planting by the moon is that by following the moon’s natural cycle, your garden will be healthier and more in tune with nature. The moon has a deep gravitational pull and while you may be aware of how it affects the tides, it can also affect the moisture level of the soil.
The belief is that if there is more moisture in your soil, the seeds you plant will have more access to it. Therefore, if you know when the moon pulls moisture to the top of the soil through its gravitational forces, your seeds will benefit.
Do moon phases have anything to do with plants?
There are eight moon phases and these repeat roughly once a month, or every 29.5 days. The times you really want to be aware of for planting by moon include the full moon and the new moon.
While there are many moon phases, you really only need to be aware of two periods. This includes the between the new moon and the full moon, called the waxing of the moon, and between the full moon and the new moon, called the waning of the moon.
The time after the full moon, or the waning of the moon, is the ideal time to plant seeds in your garden.
Along with moisture content, the moon’s gravity plays a part in how the roots and the stems of a plant grow. As you should be aware, roots will always grow down while stems will grow up.
Plants want to follow this process. Even if you plant a bulb in the ground the wrong side up, the roots will actually work to grow downward.
How to plant according to moon phases
There are two categories of planting and they are aligned with the two moon phases we discussed earlier: waning and waxing.
Waxing of the moon
Remember that the waxing of the moon is the period of time between a new moon and when there is a full moon. It’s about a two-week window.
You should plant any annual flowers during this time. Furthermore, if you have fruits or vegetables that have crops above ground, they should also be planted here.
So, for example, crops such as pumpkins or tomatoes, which grow above ground, should be planted in the waxing of the moon.
The reason for this is that, as the moon becomes brighter, the leaves and stems above ground will grow more thanks to the extra light. While we often think about the impact of sunlight on our crops, these plants are also affected by moonlight.
Waning of the moon
Once there is a full moon, it will start to wane, which is when the earth comes between the moon and the sun. This two-week period is called the waning of the moon.
For this period, it’s best to plant any flowering bulbs or perennial flowers. Furthermore, if you have vegetable crops that grow underground, they should also be planted at this time.
So, if you have root vegetables, such as carrots and beets, plant them during the waning of the moon.
Astrology for gardening
We thought we would include this section if you want further information about planting throughout the year. Most people are aware of their astrological sign, which is tied to the time of the year they were born.
During these periods of time, there are recommendations about how to garden. This includes everything from planting to harvesting.
Planting
There are many times that are recommended for planting, according to astrological signs. These include Pisces (February 19 to March 20) Taurus (April 20 to May 20), Cancer (June 21 to July 22), and Scorpio (October 23 to November 21).
Build fences or garden beds
The best time to pursue any construction in your garden is during the time of Capricorn (December 22 to January 19). This kind of makes sense, as it is downtime in your garden when you won’t be busy with planting or harvesting.
Harvesting
Finally, if you are wondering about the best astrological times to harvest your crops, these include Aries (March 21 to April 19), Leo (July 23 to August 22), Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21), Gemini (May 21 to June 20), and Aquarius (January 20 to February 18).
Obviously, you should harvest when your crops are ready but these might have you thinking about waiting a few more days to ensure your crops really are ripe.
Which moon phase is best for planting?
If you are planting seeds, the waning of the moon is the best time as there will be more moisture in the soil, which will give more nourishment to your seeds as they start to germinate.
As for annuals and crops that produce above ground, the waxing of the moon is better as the extra light of the moon will attract stems to grow upward.
Finally, for below-ground crops, the waxing of the moon is the best phase. This will draw roots deeper into the soil, making them healthier and more robust.
Conclusion
There is always a new theory when it comes to the science of gardening. However, sometimes we should look back to the past. There might be some merit to planting by the moon, after all.
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