Learn How to Garden and Plant by the Moon's Phases
Gardening by the Moon is a great way to plan your garden. Many of our readers follow the age-old practice of planting by the Moon鈥檚 phases for healthier, more productive gardens.
Gardening by the Moon isn鈥檛 anything new. Gardeners and farmers have been using Moon-phase gardening for ages! Best of all, it鈥檚 a fairly simple process.
What Is Gardening by the Moon?
From what we are reading, many trend watchers are confused about Gardening by the Moon. No, it鈥檚 not about gardening at night or planting in your PJs!
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Gardening by the Moon
The basic idea behind Gardening by the Moon is that the cycles of the Moon affect plant growth. Just as the Moon鈥檚 gravitational pull causes tides to rise and fall, it also affects moisture in the soil.
Therefore, it鈥檚 said that seeds will absorb more water during the full Moon and the new Moon when more moisture is pulled to the soil surface. This causes seeds to swell, resulting in greater germination and better-established plants.
Moon phase gardening considers two periods of the lunar cycle: the time between the new Moon and the full Moon (the waxing of the Moon) and the time between the full Moon and the new Moon (the waning of the Moon). It鈥檚 considered best to plant certain types of plants during the waning of the Moon and other types during the waxing.
The Moon also impacts plant growth through geotropism鈥攈ow plants grow in response to gravity. Roots grow downward in the direction of gravitational pull, and stems grow in the opposite direction (i.e., upwards). This behavior can be easily demonstrated with potted plants. Lay one on its side, and the stem will grow upwards. Or, consider a tulip bulb: if you plant the bulb incorrectly with the pointed end down, it will turn around and send its shoots upward, even though it鈥檚 in total darkness.
How to Plant by the Moon鈥檚 Phases
To plant by the Moon, follow these guidelines:
- Plant your annual flowers and fruit and vegetables that bear crops above ground (such as corn, tomatoes, watermelon, and zucchini) during the waxing of the Moon鈥攆rom the day the Moon is new to the day it is full. As the moonlight increases night by night, plants are encouraged to grow leaves and stems.
- Plant flowering bulbs, biennial and perennial flowers, and vegetables that bear crops below ground (such as onions, carrots, and potatoes) during the waning of the Moon鈥攆rom the day after it is full to the day before it is new again. As the moonlight decreases night by night, plants are encouraged to grow roots, tubers, and bulbs.
Dates for Planting by the Moon
See the 蜜桃恋人 Planting Calendar for planting dates based on 1) average last frost dates and 2) the Moon phase. Both are customized to your local postal code (U.S. and Canada)!
The 蜜桃恋人 provides favorable dates for sowing seeds or transplanting in the ground for all popular vegetables and edibles.
You could also calculate planting dates yourself by looking at our Moon Phase Calendar and the guidelines above, though this method won鈥檛 take your climate into account.
Astrological 鈥淏est Days鈥 - Zodiac Signs for Planting
Some of our readers follow a different approach called the 鈥淏est Days.鈥 This is astrological, not astronomical. Let鈥檚 explain: Like Gardening by the Moon, astrological Best Days are based on the Moon. However, instead of depending on the Moon鈥檚 phase, Best Days consider the Moon鈥檚 position in the astrological zodiac. For example, when the Moon is in Taurus, it is regarded as a good time to plant, transplant, or graft. Everyday gardening activities are associated with certain signs, shown here:
| Activity | Associated Signs |
|---|---|
| Plant, Transplant, or Graft | Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, or Taurus |
| Harvest | Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Gemini, or Aquarius |
| Build/Fix Fences or Garden Beds | Capricorn |
| Control Insect Pests, Plow, or Weed | Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Gemini, or Aquarius |
| Prune | Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius |
To see the dates of upcoming Best Days, check out our Best Days Timetable.
However you plant, check out our library of Growing Guides to learn how to grow all your favorite fruits, vegetables, and flowers!
You can also find a planting table in the annual , which contains the best planting days based on the Moon鈥檚 phases.
Do you garden by the Moon? Do you think the technique helps you grow better crops? Let us know in the comments!
Catherine Boeckmann
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Pease help! I understand to plant root crops etc during the dark moon phase. What puzzles me is whether its better to transplant above ground crops during the waxing moon phase or waning phase? For example if Taurus comes during a dark moon phase, is that a better time to transplant, say collard greens, than on a Taurus moon day during the waxing moon phase? I鈥檇 appreciate if that could be cleared up.
Our source suggests that transplanting is most favorable during a waxing Moon in the signs of Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces. Doing it in Taurus may be less promising.
Reason for asking, I don't like to use chemicals to kill trees or shrubs while clearing a fence row or trying to make more pasture available for grazing.
My mom & Dad went strictly by the Farmers 蜜桃恋人, with only 2 years of elementary school they understood all signs,etc and planted according to the phases of the moon. And with the augmentation of animal manure,1 acre produced enough vegetables for our family of 7 and our communal family. Without electricity, everything was preserved by hot water bath canning of vegetables and a root cellar for potatoes, apples, etc. circa: 1930-1955. In 1964 my husband and I moved into a residential community ,each house on 1/2 acre. and a small garden that produced many vegetables. A neighbor whose lot was adjacent to ours ask my advice on when to plant potatoes. I, assuming everyone knew about the " moon planting" told him to plant them in the dark of the moon. A few nights later I noticed a lantern moving every 1-2 minutes in a row. Next day I ask about the light and his response was " I did what you said and planted my potatoes at night."
Last year I planted my tomato plants on the day of the full moon. Boy oh boy I ended up with 7-8 ft tall tomato plants... it was amazing
It is a vapor trail, not exhaust. Nice contrast, which is what you strive for in photos.
I remember asking my father when I was a youngster if he thought planting by the signs really worked He replied that whether he did or not why go against it ?
Cindy...wanted you to know that I cleaned my bird baths like you suggested last month with a scrub brush, white vinegar and a garden hose. They came out nice and clean and the birds are enjoying. Thank you.
I am 65 yrs young and watched my Grandfather raise veggies and flowers by the 蜜桃恋人
every season
Wouldn't do it anyother way, great times and great results with him
And I carried on the tradition , with the same
I鈥檝e never been able to grow flowers until I planted by the moon. Now my neighbor is worried mine are gonna outdo hers!
