The moon influences all that contains water - the tides of the ocean, our bodies, and the vital essence of plant life.
Anyone who deals with the public can attest to the fact that there are more crazy phone calls or weird situations around the full moon. Most of us have at one time or another felt the effects of the moon on our emotions or sleep patterns. Did you know that more births occur around a full moon? Farmers and Native Americans have been using the phases of the moon to help increase crop yield and reduce disease in their crops for hundreds of years.
Using the phases of the moon to plant, irrigate, weed, harvest, cultivate, and even start a compost bin can improve the results of your efforts. It is important however, to choose the correct phase of the moon as well as the most beneficial sign for your activity.
In my own recent experiences, I planted fescue sod in a relatively shady backyard in Atlanta on two separate occasions. The first pallets were put down on days when the moon was in Scorpio, the second most fertile moon sign. For the second phase, of the installation, due to time constraints, I had to lay the sod when the moon was in Leo, which is the most barren of the possible moon signs. As you would expect, even during the hottest summer days of 2003, the first section thrived and survived the heat. Even with a sprinkler system, the second batch of sod was weak and became diseased and died out.
The moon travels through each of the Zodiac signs approximately once a month, staying in each sign about 2.5 days before moving on to the next one.
There are four elements: each one is associated with a sign of the Zodiac. The most fruitful of the elements are water signs: Cancer, being the absolute best sign to plant under. It is the most fertile time in the Zodiac.
Seeds germinate quickly and rain is common. Leo is associated with the fire element and is the driest and most barren of times. No planting should done, nor trimming of vines or trees that you want to continue to grow vigorously. It is a good time to cut down trees and vines when you do not want re-growth to occur. Pisces days are good days to prune, irrigate, and plant grains as well as leafy vegetables. Cultivation should be done on Virgo, Sagittarius, Gemini or Leo days.
There two phases of the moon cycle. The waxing, or increasing phase begins with the new moon. The waning or disappearing phase begins with the full moon. Crops that produce their yield above ground should be planted during the waxing (increasing) moon, which is particularly good for crops and have their seeds on the outside, such as asparagus, cabbage, broccoli, celery and spinach. Lettuce is one of the exceptions to this rule. Farmers know that lettuce sown when the moon is waning (disappearing) is usually well-developed, producing a voluminous and juicy head. On the other hand, if it is sown with a rising moon, the plants rapidly go to seed or "bolt" without forming a good head.
Sowing with a waning moon (disappearing) puts off the formation of seed heads. Flowering is usually undesirable in below-ground crops. The reverse is true with many above-ground crops such as sweet corn and beans (lettuce is one of the many exceptions).
The second week of the moon cycle (between the 1st quarter and the full moon) is best for crops that produce seeds on the inside, like peppers, tomatoes, peaches, cucumbers, and melons.
A moon-phase calendar is a helpful tool and can be purchased at many metaphysical bookstores.
Other sources for information on the moon's phases and signs:
• Moon's Phases and Signs: The Gardener's Almanac (Hard copy of the Farmer's Almanac)
• www.almanac.com (The Old Farmer's Almanac)
• www.plantingbythemoon.co.uk
• www.organicpathways.co.nz
Jennifer Resuta is a master gardening, who works on both large and small gardens and landscapes throughout Atlanta. This article appeared "Oracle 20/20" magazine, volume 13, issue 3, January 2003.
If you have more questions about gardening by the moon please feel free to contact Jennifer Resuta at 770-664-4400 or forheavenscapes@yahoo.com. She is always happy to answer your questions and if she doesn't have the answer, she will find it for you!
