Growing With The Lunar Cycle
Gravity in Your Garden
By Brandon Pillon
[quote]The waxing moon is the best time for planting just before the full moon[/quote]
The practice of growing with the lunar cycle is an ancient knowledge that was passed down through traditions and practices that continues on today. The Farmer’s Almanac is a well-known example of a source and guide that possesses information of nature’s cycles for its predictions.
Planting, caring for, and harvesting based on the cycles of the moon and Mother Nature’s own rhythms, will create healthier, vigorous plants that are more productive. The moon’s gravitational pull on underground water tables affects the level of moisture in the soil that is available to the plants for nourishment. Here’s more on growing with the lunar cycle…
Cycles of the Moon:
New Moon
The gravitational pull of the new moon draws water upward, providing additional nutrients to the surface of the soil. This is the best time to plant seeds of plants that grow above ground like basil. Plant seeds a few days before, when seeds germinate it is almost like they are being pulled up out of the ground by the strong gravitational pull.
Waxing Moon
The moonlight gets increasingly stronger, but at the same time the gravitational pull of the moon lessens. The waxing moon is the best time for planting just before the full moon. Plants that have interior seeds like pumpkins and squashes are best to plant.
Full Moon
The gravitational pull pushes down instead of up, pulling more moisture into the roots of the plants. The light from the moon starts to decrease after the full moon. This is the best time to plant bulbs and root plants, like garlic and sweet potatoes.
Waning Moon
Both the gravitational pull and moonlight decreases into a resting period. The waning moon, or fourth quarter if you will, is the best time to cultivate, harvest, transplant, and prune.
The knowledge of growing with the lunar cycle is not new information; it has been around since the beginning of agriculture. This knowledge is sometimes over looked by growers today; it is ancient wisdom that should be practiced by growers to get the most out of their harvest.
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Above: This NASA video shows the Moon’s “Pulse” through 2013
