How to Plant Your Garden According to the Moon

Moon in the third quarter.

Planting by the phases of the moon is an ancient tradition. The moon has two phases, each divided in two to make four quarters of rotation. The moon rotates from new moon to full moon and back to new moon. The two phases, waxing and waning, meet at the full moon. The first phase deals with growth while the second phase deals with energy storage or regeneration.

Instructions

1. Make a list of the vegetables, fruits and flowers you want to plant.

2. Locate a planting guide that tells you the phases of the moon. You need this to determine the best time to plant certain crops according to their moon phase. Read the guide thoroughly to understand the phases.

3. Set up a planting calendar according to the moon phases. On this calendar write the plants you are planting during each phase. You plant root crops after the full moon and surface crops during the first or second quarter.

4. Use the waxing moon (before the full moon) to plant leafy vegetables or flowers. Plant roses during the first or second quarter. Use the second quarter to plant berries and canes. Take cuttings from plants in the first quarter to be planted in the second quarter after roots develop. Plant salad ingredients that you want to be crunchy and juicy such as cucumbers.

5. Use the waning moon (after the full moon) for root vegetables. Plant fruit trees during the third quarter to encourage root development. Plant the strawberries during the third quarter so roots can gain a firm footing before the hard frost. Divide the perennials during the third and fourth quarter.

6. Dig the garden plot to a depth of 6 inches for most seeds or bulbs. Mix equal amounts of fertilizer and soil into the plot so the fertilizer distributes nutrients evenly.

7. Fertilize crops requiring potassium during the waning moon. Plants absorb potassium most during the new moon. Start the compost heap during the waning moon. Add the mulch or compost to the ground at the third quarter.

8. Harvest crops planted in the first or second quarter before the full moon to retain the juice and crispness. Gather your herbs because the essential oils are the most concentrated at this time.

9. Harvest long-term storage crops such as apples or potatoes during the waning moon. This includes flowers to be stored until next year. Harvest the bark and leaves of herbs used for medicinal teas and drying.

References

• The Rural Independent: The Influence of the Moon
• Gardening By The Moon: The Phases of the Moon
• The Old Farmers Almanac: 2011 Best Planting Dates for Sioux Falls, South Dakota