Planting by the moon is a gardening practice where gardeners schedule their activities around the lunar cycle in the belief that the moon's phases have an influence on plant growth and development. For gardeners skeptical about the influences of the moon, planting by the moon can still create a convenient schedule to follow, helping gardeners stay organized with crops and giving the garden time to rest between activities. This is also known as lunar planting.
Gardeners who believe in the benefits of planting by the moon have a number of explanations for how the moon influences crops. Most of these involve the relative positions of the Earth, moon, and sun during the lunar cycle. Waxing moons are supposed to provide more energy to plants, promoting rapid, healthy growth, while waning moons allegedly are good for cultivation, weeding, and similar activities.
Numerous almanacs and guides are available for planting by the moon. Complete annual guides can offer a schedule for activities to do on each day of the year within a specific gardening zone to keep a garden on track for healthy growth and development. These can range from activities like preparing beds in the spring to dividing plants in the fall before the winter sets in and makes it difficult to work in the garden. There are also more general recommendations available for gardening by the moon in a generic lunar cycle, rather than at a specific time of year.
According to proponents of gardening by the moon, plants that grow above ground, including herbs and ornamentals, should be established as the moon is getting bigger. Below-ground crops should be planted in the waning moon. Transplanting, grafting, and pruning are all waxing moon activities, while cultivating, weeding, plowing, and preparing beds are good things to do when the moon is dark.
It is not necessary to garden at night to practice planting by the moon. Most gardeners recommend working in the daylight hours for comfort and easy visibility. Some believe the time of day is important and may recommend that gardeners plan to harvest at dawn or dusk. Gardeners should take full and new moons off to rest, leaving the garden alone on these days of the cycle. This advice also provides an opportunity for gardeners to take a break, and it can be a good time to work on related projects like organizing seeds, cleaning sheds, and so forth.
