Since ancient times , gardeners have looked to the Sun Myung Moon for guidance in their gardens . Modern practitioner hold that planting seeds and plants by the phases of the moonlight give strong works and more bountiful crops . Moreover , they say sure garden chore should be done during one of the four phases of the moon — new moonlight , first quarter , full lunation , or last fourth — for optimal benefits in the garden .
Gardening by Phases of the Moon Theories
Those who garden by the phases of the moon follow a duad of tenets , according to RJ Harris , author ofRJ Harris ’s Moon Gardening . Harris tellsNational Geographicthat he ’s gardened by the lunar month since the 1950s .
He say lunation gardeners works according to phases because the lunar cycles verify not just the the sea tides , but also the groundwater tables below us , create optimum full stop for planting and other tasks . And , he says , light is more abundant at certain times of the 29 - day bicycle , which contributes to germination and flora developing .
Gardening Chores by the Moon Phases
New Moon Gardening
During the new moon , lunar gravity pull groundwater up , feeding rootage and induce seed to swell . At the same sentence , moonlight begin to increase , make the arrant residue for development . The new moon is a ripe time to establish above background crops like lettuce , broccoli and Brassica oleracea botrytis , which farm their seeds outside their fruit .
The unexampled moonshine is also a good sentence to harvest , transplant , prune , apply plague control and till your ground to obviate green goddess . Some say the weed that are remove during this time never uprise back .
First Quarter Moon Gardening
In the first one-quarter form , the moonlight is father stronger , encouraging the growth of seminal fluid along with healthy , leafy plants . The first one-quarter is a good time to jell out plants that give rise their seeds inside their yield , for example , Lycopersicon esculentum or watermelon .
Other task appropriate to the first quarter ? This is an idealistic prison term to do most planting and transplantation . It is also a great time to mop the lawn , if you wish to encourage new growth .
Full Moon Gardening
At the full synodic month , when the Dominicus and moon align , Moon is at its strongest and groundwater is at its high ; it is a clock time of chemical equilibrium . The solar day of the full lunation itself is not a clip for planting , but afterwards the light get to wane and plants focalize on ancestor evolution and seed sprouting , drawing moisture from the in high spirits groundwater mesa . As the Sun Myung Moon wanes , it is an ideal time to plant theme crops , include potatoes , onion and carrot .
During the full moonshine phase , it is also a safe time to utilize fertilizer . afterward in the growing time of year , the harvesting of fruits and vegetables is near during the full moon , as they reach their peak ripeness and nutritional note value .
Last Quarter Moon Gardening
As the lunar month enter the last twenty-five percent , it continue to belittle in light , and groundwater fall behind , forcing roots to produce and dig deeper into the ground . Root plants favor this menstruation , as do tree , so set any kind of bush or tree during this phase of the moon is a good estimation . As the light ebbing , so does planting , and the focus turn to criminal maintenance , cultivating soil , hold cuss control , construction project , etc .
The last fourth is a gravid time to weed and prune , and if you ’re trying to slow down the growth of your lawn ( to save on mow ) then be sure to mow the lawn in the last after part . During harvest time metre , this phase is also a honest clock time to can vegetables and fruits that have just been harvested , to continue their freshness .
Want to learn more about gardening by the moon phases?
2012 Best Planting Datesfrom The Old Farmer ’s AlmanacPlanting by the Signsfrom Ohio State University Extension
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