Gardening by Moonlight
No, I’m not talking about weeding in the dark (although it does make it so much easier). This year I bought a Lunar calendar so I can begin to garden by the rhythm of the moon. Being our closest neighbor, the moon’s gravitational force pulls at not only our Earth’s oceans and atmosphere but also the dirt we plant in. The pull is so strong that where ever the moon shines its light down, the world bulges between three and six inches. Furthermore, because the moon’s orbit is elliptic, there is a point each month when the moon comes closest to Earth, increasing its gravitational pull up to 6 percent. This closest point is called perigee, the farthest is apogee.
No wonder that many garden in tune with the moon phases. Here is a short summary from my Lunar calendar:
First Quarter - From new moon to first quarter, plant aboveground annual crops whose seeds are not contained within the fruits.
Second Quarter - From first quarter waxing to full moon, plant above ground annual crops whose seeds are contained within the fruit or if seeds are the desired crop. Harvest grains for future use or seed.
Third Quarter - From full moon to third quarter, plant perennials, biennials, root crops and all bulbous flowering plants. Dig root crops for seed.
Fourth Quarter - From third quarter waning to the end of the lunar cycle, destroy pests and unwanted growth/weeds and turn sod. Harvest all crops when the moon is growing old and they will keep long and bruises will dry.
January 1st was a new moon at perigee. An excellent omen for starting or transitioning anything.
Happy New Year!
Sarai Stevens
Gathering Force Farm
No, I’m not talking about weeding in the dark (although it does make it so much easier). This year I bought a Lunar calendar so I can begin to garden by the rhythm of the moon. Being our closest neighbor, the moon’s gravitational force pulls at not only our Earth’s oceans and atmosphere but also the dirt we plant in. The pull is so strong that where ever the moon shines its light down, the world bulges between three and six inches. Furthermore, because the moon’s orbit is elliptic, there is a point each month when the moon comes closest to Earth, increasing its gravitational pull up to 6 percent. This closest point is called perigee, the farthest is apogee.
No wonder that many garden in tune with the moon phases. Here is a short summary from my Lunar calendar:
First Quarter - From new moon to first quarter, plant aboveground annual crops whose seeds are not contained within the fruits.
Second Quarter - From first quarter waxing to full moon, plant above ground annual crops whose seeds are contained within the fruit or if seeds are the desired crop. Harvest grains for future use or seed.
Third Quarter - From full moon to third quarter, plant perennials, biennials, root crops and all bulbous flowering plants. Dig root crops for seed.
Fourth Quarter - From third quarter waning to the end of the lunar cycle, destroy pests and unwanted growth/weeds and turn sod. Harvest all crops when the moon is growing old and they will keep long and bruises will dry.
January 1st was a new moon at perigee. An excellent omen for starting or transitioning anything.
Happy New Year!
Sarai Stevens
Gathering Force Farm
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