You may have heard of planting by the moon, but have you tried it? Farmers and gardeners have used this age-old technique for hundreds of years, and some swear by its success.

If you want healthier plants and a more productive garden, this interesting planting method could be the winning card in your gardening game. Here’s what it entails.

What is Planting by the Moon?

As fun as it may sound, planting by the moon isn’t a magical, celestial endeavor where you grab your trowel and get to digging under the moonlight. Instead, the concept of planting by the moon is based on the idea that the moons phases can affect plant growth. How so? The moon causes tides to rise and fall with its gravitational pull. It also affects soil because it pulls more moisture to the surface. When seedlings are planted during the full moon and the new moon, they absorb more water and swell, resulting in more effective germination.

Lunar Cycles for Moon Phase Gardening

Now that you have a basic understanding of planting by the moon, you’ll need to follow two periods in the lunar cycle when planting.

Waxing– The time between the new and full moon.

Waning– The time between the full and the new moon.

What to Plant and When

The waxing and waning lunar cycles determine what you should plant. During the waxing moon, anything needing plentiful leaves and stems, such as annuals and above-ground fruits and veggies, should be planted. The moon’s light increases night by night from the new moon till it’s at it’s fullest. This helps upward stems grow healthy and strong.

For tubers, bulbs, and any plant needing extra root growth, you should plant during the waning moon. The moonlight decreases nightly from the full moon until it’s new again, and this extra darkness encourages plants to focus on growth beneath the soil. Below-ground crops such as onions potatoes and carrots benefit when planted during a waning cycle.

In addition to the moon cycle, your climate will determine when to plant tender seedlings. You can find dates for all the popular food crops in The Old Farmer’s Almanac Spring planting calendar.

Gardening is already a dance with nature, but adding a sprinkle of the moon’s influence makes it even more exciting. Have you tried planting by the moon? Keep a garden journal, track your success, and let us know if the moon’s magic works for you.

Source: Gardening by the Moon