The Lunar Planting Calendar, an easy to use tool, dates back to the ancient Egyptian and Babylonian times.
Planting according to lunar cycles is an ancient agricultural practice that has been used by farmers for thousands of years. It is based on the period of the moon from one new moon to the next – approximately 29.5 days.
The gravitational forces between the sun, the moon and the earth have long been known to have an effect on the tides, people, animals and plants. The ocean tides are highest at the phase of the new and the full moon, when sun and moon are lined up with earth and their gravitational pulls affect the large bodies of water more intensely.
Just as the gravity of the moon pulls the tides in the oceans, it also pulls upon the subtle bodies of water, causing moisture to rise in the earth, which in turn encourages growth. At this time there is the highest concentration of moisture in the top soil. Studies have shown that seeds will absorb the most water around the the full moon phase of the lunar calendar.
Lunar phases in brief
- New moon – soon after new moon is the best time to sow and plant leafy annuals.
Waxing moon is between New Moon and First Quarter. At this time sap flow in above ground plants increases. - First quarter – best time to sow or transplant fruiting annuals, flowering annuals, grains and melons.
- Full moon – soon after full moon is the best time to sow and plant root crops.
Full Moon over the water Waning moon is between Full Moon and Last Quarter – at this time the sap flow is concentrated in the roots.
- Last quarter – no sowing or planting should be done in this phase.
Basic understanding
During low energy periods, the sap run is low and plants will have poor growth, so it is not a good time to plant and sow. Conversely a high sap run produces strong growth, so it is a good time to plant and sow.
Take the guesswork out of gardening because there is an auspicious time to:
- plant
- sow
- harvest
- weed
- prune
- fertilise
- water
Blue Moon is the term for the second full moon in a month of the common calendar. - prepare the soil / attend to your compost
- spray
- take cuttings.
Tip: avoid planting, sowing or taking cuttings from 12 hours before to 12 hours after the exact change of moon cycle.
In order to better understand and plan when to plant and harvest you will find my lunar planting calendar an invaluable asset in your organic gardening tool box.
To download your Lunar Planting Calendar PDF click this link
To order a laminated ready-to-use Lunar Planting Calendar which will be posted to you click this link
“Earth laughs in flowers”
Ralph Waldo Emerson