The signs of the moon, or moon phases, have long been successfully used as guide to determine the best times to plant, cultivate, fertilize, water and harvest garden crops.
The moon signs are easy to understand, and by knowing which sign is the best time to perform garden tasks, you will help ensure the success of your gardening endeavor.
The lunar month is divided into four phases. The light of the moon is the 14 day period when the moon is growing from the new moon to a full moon, this is the first and second phase. The dark of the moon is the next 14 days, from the full moon to the next new moon, this is the third and fourth phase.
The moon signs are the signs of the zodiac and these signs change every two and a half days. It is important for a gardener to know the meaning of these moon signs and use them accordingly for a successful garden crop.
For instance, Cancer is a fruitful sign, when the moon is in Cancer or any other fruitful sign, that is the time to plant garden seeds or crops. Leo is a barren sign. When the moon is in a barren sign, soil preparation and cultivation should be the only tasks you do in the garden.
It is best to plant garden crops that produce above ground fruit in the light of the moon, in a fruitful sign. Plants that produce below ground crops should be planted in the dark of the moon. This does not mean that you plant your garden in the night time, but during the days that the moon is either in it’s ‘light’ or ‘dark’ phase.
The first quarter of the moon is best for planting crops that produce seeds outside the fruit, such as corn. The second phase of the moon is best for planting crops that produce seeds inside the fruit. The third quarter of the moon is best for planting below ground crops, and avoid planting anything in the fourth quarter of the moon phase. Even when the moon is in the right phase for planting, check the moon sign, (zodiac) to make sure the sign for that day is fruitful. For instance, if you plant when the moon is in the right phase but the moon sign is in the Bowels, you will get garden plants that grow and bloom vigorously, but will produce little fruit.
Soil preparation and cultivation should be done in the light of the moon during a barren sign. The light of the moon means the moon is growing, so the soil will stay loose and will be easier to turn. The barren sign makes weeds easier to kill and not as likely to grow back.
Fertilize should be applied during a fruitful sign. Apply chemical fertilize during the light of the moon, organic fertilize during the dark of the moon.
Watering should be done in the light of the moon, when the moon is growing bigger, and when the moon signs are in one of the water signs-Scorpio or Pisces. This gives better plant absorption, less run off and in theory causes the fruit to grow bigger along with the moon.
Harvesting should be during the dark of the moon and during a barren sign. The garden plant is at rest and harvesting then will result in a less likely chance of injuring fruit still in the growing process.
A Poor Richards Almanac or a monthly planting calendar will give you day by day, zone specific gardening advice, to help you use the moon signs and phases for a successful garden.
