Why Garden by the Moon?

The pantry in my great-grandfather's house was always overflowing with good things to eat.  He and his wife lived through the depression and two world wars, so canning was as much a part of their life as was folding laundry, or washing dishes.  My great-grandmother passed when I was 13, and we didn't get to her last jar of preserves until I was in college--and they were still delicious!

Lunar gardening is a simple, time-tested way of working with nature to ensure maximum results from any horticultural endeavor one might pursue.  It is not a religion, nor a superstition.  Lunar gardening is merely a method of observing how the moon and gravitational forces affect the planet, and can be practiced without reservation by anyone.

It's pretty common knowledge that the moon affects the ocean tides.  Anyone who has been to the beach has probably noticed that sometimes the waves wash up very high on the beach, and at other times do not seem to travel as far up the sand.  This happens due to a combination of the gravitational pull of the sun, moon, and earth.  The tides fluctuate daily, and also correspond to the monthly phases of the moon.

When the moon is new, the tides are at their lowest.  Concurrently, water levels everywhere are at their lowest: in the soil, in plants, and in our bodies.  As the moon waxes, water levels rise.  Water level in the soil has a direct effect on plant health, particularly on root establishment, overall plant growth, and fruiting.

The best days to plant above-ground crops (like tomatoes, peas, beans--basically every food that you pick or pluck) are from the half-full moon to the full moon.  Roots, tubers, and foods that you dig up out of the ground are best planted during the waning moon, from the time just after peak fullness until roughly the half-dark moon.  A stellar resource for gardeners and farmers is the Old Farmer's Almanac.  You can purchase your own copy very inexpensively at your local nursery or home and garden supply, or you can visit their extensive, info-packed website.

The same logic that is applied to planting by the moon can be applied to many other areas of life.  Hair care and fishing are the two most well-known lunar-influenced areas besides gardening.  To encourage hair growth, many people trim their hair during the waxing moon.  Have a short cut that gets shaggy with lightning speed?  Trim it during the waxing moon to discourage rapid growth.

Apply the same philosophy to dieting (for gaining or losing weight), planning social events, parenting (potty learning, yikes!), and self-improvement.  Weekly lunar updates are available here, put together from a variety of resources to help you plan your week according to the moon's influence.  Check back often and feel free to leave comments and questions!