If you are interested in gardening then you have probably heard the phrase “Planting according to the moon’s phases”, and wondered what that actually means. Farmers have been planting crops according to the moon’s phases for thousands of years, although in modern times the concept seems to be considered to be not so important.

The whole principle of planting according to the moon’s phases can be a very complex one. There are days through the month that are fertile and good for sowing seeds or re-potting, and there are other days that are not fertile and seeds will not grow. Days when it is good to harvest crops and other days when only weeding and basic maintenance should be carried out. It takes complex science to know which days are which, science that is way beyond my own knowledge. This information can be attained from what are called gardeners’ almanacs, or one can subscribe to The Gardener magazine because they publish a monthly almanac.

A simple approach

I use a much more simple approach to gardening and planting according to the moon’s phases.

The lunar month is split into four equal parts or weeks, beginning with new moon. During this first week everything above the ground grows vigorously, but everything below the ground is dormant. During the second week, quarter-moon to half-moon, everything above the ground is dormant, but the stuff below the ground grows strongly. The third week, full moon, is the same as the first, the leaves and branches grow while the roots rest. The last week everything is dormant.

A two week cycle

Most processes in the garden take about two weeks to happen. It takes two weeks for most seeds to develop roots and shoots. Two weeks after pruning, a plant will sprout new shoots, and so on. If one plants seeds over the new moon period, they will sprout two weeks later, at the beginning of the third week. The third week of the month is good for the development of the above ground stuff. This means the very first shoots and leaves grow healthily for the first week of its life. This good start to life ensures the seedling grows into a healthy strong plant. The same thing happens when a seed is planted at full moon. After the two week waiting period it will be new moon when the seed shoots, good for leaf and branch development.  Conversely, planting at half moon means that the seeds will shoot either during the second or fourth week of the month. Neither period is good for healthy development.

Conclusion

It is best to wait for new moon or full moon to do any major work on one’s plants. It also follows, that weeding is best done during half moon periods, because the seeds are less fertile during these times. Any seeds that fall off the weeds will be less likely to grow, and if they do they will not be as strong or as healthy. It is worth noting that the best times during full or new moon lasts for about two days. To make full use of the moon’s phases, work should be carried out within two days of full or new moon.

If you are interested in plant biology then you can read my article on auxins by clicking here.