Gardening with the Moon
Gardening by the phases of the moon may seem like a mystical or superstitious way to cultivate plants, but in fact it’s a biodynamic gardening method that farmers and gardeners have practiced throughout the ages. If we consider the fact that plants are sensitive and reactive to the cycles of the sun throughout each day and season, then why wouldn’t plants also be affected by the moon’s influence? After all, some flowers only bloom in the light of the moon.
Tracking the phases of the moon and planning my sowing, transplanting, and harvesting days accordingly has been a method that I’ve only employed for about two growing seasons. Already, I’ve noticed that it makes a difference. My plants are healthier, stronger, and germinate with a higher success rate. I’ve enjoyed moon gardening because it’s helped me connect with the rhythms of nature on a much deeper level. I feel a connection to the earth and the cosmos when I step outside on the evening of a full moon to harvest herbs from my garden. More than that, I can smell and taste a difference in their aromatics and potency when I harvest during the right phase.
I feel that this practice of biodynamic gardening has been incredibly fulfilling. To bring forth nourishment through gardening in alignment with the cosmos is truly beautiful work. Sowing and harvesting with the moon has turned many of my mundane garden tasks into magical rituals that strengthen my awareness of the cycles of nature. It has helped me cultivate a thriving and beautifully productive garden landscape that nourishes both my body and soul.
“To bring forth nourishment through gardening in alignment with the cosmos is truly beautiful work. ”
What is Moon Phase Gardening?
Also known as Planting by the Moon, Moon Phase Gardening, or Moon Gardening, it’s the idea that the lunar cycles affect plant growth. Just as the moon's gravitational pull creates the tides of the oceans, it also creates more moisture in the soil, which encourages growth. This concept is based on tests that have proven that seeds absorb more water during the full moon and the new moon phases, when more moisture is pulled to the soil surface. This causes seeds to swell, resulting in better germination and better-established plants.
The methodology of moon phase gardening considers four phases or quarters in the month, lasting about seven days each. The first two quarters are during the waxing phase (or increasing light), from the new moon to the full moon. In contrast, the last two quarters are during the waning phase (or decreasing light) from the full moon to the next new moon.
The moon’s light, in combination with the stage of the plant’s life cycle, also affect how sugars and plant energy flow in the plant tissues, and this can determine the sweetness or potency of a plant’s attributes depending on when it was harvested. Increasing light in the moon phases is best for harvesting the parts of the plant above ground, while decreasing light redirects the plant's sugars and energy below ground, to its root system. If you are growing a plant to harvest the fruit, you’ll want to harvest the fruit when it’s most ripe on the vine, during a waxing moon phase or on the full moon. That is the time the plant is directing all of it’s sugars and energy into that part of it’s body, and when the moon’s gravitational pull is drawing water upwards. If you are growing a plant to harvest the roots, then prune out it’s flowers during a waxing phase, then wait to unearth the roots (near the end of it’s life cycle) at a time when the plant is directing all of it’s energy into the roots - this will be during a waning moon phase.
Photo by: Holly Morgan @hollyandhomestead
New Moon
At the new moon, the lunar gravity pulls water upwards, and causes seeds to swell and burst into successful germination. This creates balanced root and leaf growth. This is a great time to sow and transplant.
Photo by: Holly Morgan @hollyandhomestead
Waxing Moon (1st Quarter Moon)
In the first quarter the gravitational pull is less, but the moonlight is strong, creating healthy leaf growth. It is generally a good time for harvesting parts of the plant above ground. Harvest foliage, flowers, and fruit just before the full moon to get the benefits of peak moisture and moonlight. The first quarter is the best time for planting above ground bearing annual and perennial crops. Examples include lettuce, spinach, celery, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, grain crops, beans, melons, peas, peppers, squash, and tomatoes.
Photo by: Holly Morgan @hollyandhomestead
Full Moon
Near (and on) the full moon, the gravitational pull is high, creating more moisture in the soil. The light is also very strong which encourages increased sugars in the above ground parts of the plant. Just like in the waxing phases, harvesting parts of the plant that are above ground provides optimum sweetness and potency. It is also good for planting perennials, planting and dividing bulbs, and transplanting because of the active root growth and increased moisture.
Photo by: Holly Morgan @hollyandhomestead
Waning Moon (3rd Quarter Moon)
The third quarter phase is after the full moon when the light is waning, and the energy is drawing downwards. In the third quarter there is decreased gravitational pull and moonlight, and this is considered a resting period for plants. This is the best time to fertilize, deeply water, prune, and harvest root and bulb crops such as onions, garlic, leeks, potatoes, beets, and carrots.
Have you tried gardening with the phases of the moon?
Do you think this technique can help you grow better crops and become more closely connected to nature?
