Planting by the Moon

Are you aware that by cutting your hair or mowing your lawn certain days could mean you could cut/mow less often?

The moon has four phases, each lasting roughly seven days. The first two quarters between the new and the full moon are called the waxing moon when the light increases. The last two quarters after the full moon are called the waning when the light is decreasing.

The moon controls ocean tides, influences the groundwater tables beneath our feet and the movement of fluids in plants and animals.The tides are highest at the time of the new and the full moon, when sun and moon are lined up with earth. As the moon pulls the tides in the oceans, it also pulls other bodies of water, causing moisture to rise, which encourages growth. The highest amount of moisture is in the soil at this time, and tests have proven that seeds will absorb the most water at the time of the full moon.

The Lunar Month

The lunar month starts with the new moon, also called "the dark of the moon”.
From the new moon to the first quarter and from the first quarter to the full moon, the moon appears to grow from nothing to a crescent and then to a full circle at mid-month. These are the increasing or waxing phases.

Increasing Light -- New moon to full moon
Sap flows more strongly, filling plants with vitality and energy. This is the time to plant and harvest crops that mature above ground. At the new moon, the lunar gravity pulls water up, and causes the seeds to swell and burst.

1. Sow seeds of plants that grow above ground lettuce, spinach, celery, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and grain crops, beans, melons, peas, peppers, squash, and tomatoes.
2. Fertilise
3. Graft fruit trees
4. Plant evergreen and deciduous trees
5. Mow lawns in the first or second quarter to increase growth
6. Don't get your hair cut if you want it to grow quickly!

Decreasing Light -- Full moon to dark of the moon
After the full moon, as the moon wanes, the energy is drawing down. A time to prune plants, as the water table is lessening and less sap will flow out of the cut ends. In the third quarter the gravitation pull is high, creating more moisture in the soil, but the moonlight is decreasing, putting energy into the roots, making this a favourable time for planting, transplanting and harvesting root crops in general.

In the fourth quarter there is a decreasing gravitational pull and moonlight, and it is considered a resting period. This is also the best time to cultivate, harvest, transplant and prune.

1. Plant crops that grow below the ground, such as carrots, beets, onions, potatoes, and peanuts.
2. The 4th quarter is the most dormant period and is good for dreaded chores like weeding.
3. Plant biennials and perennials to encourage strong roots
4. Get rid of snails and slugs
5. Prune shrubs in the third quarter
6. Mow lawns in the third or fourth quarter to retard growth.
7. Get your hair cut if you don't want it to grow quickly!

You might like to check the phases of the moon by becoming a 'Follower' of this blog and by bookmarking us for future reference.

'For the present let the moon shine brightly and the breezes of the spring blow gently, dying away from the gale of the day, and let the earth, who brings increase, bring peace.'
E.M. Forster