When farmers had a closer relationship with the land they cultivated, there were reciprocal rules they lived by: Grow to the rhythms of the moon. Working with the moon to plant, grow, and harvest was an essential part of farming practices around the world. In fact, this was the first documented use of astrology ever. Farmers were as closely tied to the cosmos as they were to the ground in which they planted.
There was a level of respect and understanding our ancestors understood about the land that would seem outlandish and foolish to farmers of modern times. Yet, as we look around at how the philosophies of modern farmers have stripped and pillaged the land, leaving poisoned soil, contaminated water sources, chemical ridden crops, and far fewer pollinators, shouldn’t we re-think what is foolish? Agriculture is the third largest source of pollution in the world. An industry that is meant to feed and nourish people is instead making them and the land sick.
How the Moon Influences Crops
The first thing that comes to mind when we think of the moon’s influence is of course the tides. However, the power of the moon is not just confined to the oceans. There is also a phenomenon called “crustal tides”. That’s right – the earth’s crust moves just like the ocean, but at a much smaller scale. These earth tides are shown to cycle in conjunction with the lunar phases, displaying a direct link to the moon and the land.
We need to consider how water in the soil is affected and how the gravitational or energetic pull of the moon affects crops. As the moon waxes, energy aboveground increases. As it wanes, energy below ground increases, a perfect cyclical mirror in the garden. The shifting of this pull is also ideal for different tasks at different phases.
The issue is that science will never prove this relationship between moon and earth valid, because this relationship doesn’t abide by modern scientific measurements. It is up to the conscious farmer or gardener to experiment and see for themselves how their crops germinate at higher rates, how their harvests are more abundant, and plants less susceptible to disease and pests.
Moon gardening doesn’t measure the shift within the gardener as they attune their life and tasks to the rhythms of the moon. It doesn’t see how the garden becomes more intentional, more structured, more vibrant with the care of doing things on a cyclical basis. It doesn’t measure how the effect of the moon on the gardener or farmer is just as important as the effect on the land. It doesn’t measure the spiritual abundance that comes from reciprocity and letting the earth flow to its natural rhythms. It doesn’t account for the thousands of years that humans cultivated the soil by the light of the moon and how those ancestral ties bring land and gardener back into balance.
How to Garden by the Moon
It’s important to note that the new moon and full moon are considered days for rest and celebration instead of work. Use this time to enjoy the garden and simply be.
First Quarter
Just past the new moon is when watery influences are strongest. It has been shown that seeds absorb more water around the new moon and therefore germinate well. This makes it an ideal time to plant leafy crops, which are full of juicy moisture. Planting fruiting crops would produce harvests that are more watery than flavorful, so avoid planting these types if possible. The first few days after the new moon is also a good time to harvest root crops as the energy belowground is at its peak.
Second Quarter
Energy aboveground is steadily increasing now. Flowering plants and annual fruiting plants (such as tomatoes and the like) are best planted during this quarter. As the watery influence of the new moon diminishes, flavor and vibrancy aboveground flourishes. Planting close to the full moon will further enhance germination rates as the earth tides rise again.
Third Quarter
Just past the full moon is peak time to plant root crops as well as shrubs and trees. The influence of the full moon is still strong while its energy begins traveling downward as the moon wanes, encouraging strong crop development under the soil. The first few days past the full moon is also a good time to harvest above ground crops as you’ve taken advantage of all of the upward growth from the past two phases.
Fourth Quarter
The last quarter of the lunar cycle is often considered a time of rest. Planting and harvesting is put on the backburner. Instead, take this time to work the soil, weed, prune, fertilize or work on garden maintenance. If all is well, perhaps take a step back and simply let things be as rest is just as important as the work.
Barren and Fertile Signs
Many people also incorporate the lunar zodiac into their moon gardening practices. Essentially, the zodiac sign in which the moon resides is considered barren or fertile.
- Water and earth signs = fertile
- Fire and air signs = barren
- Libra, Sagittarius, Capricorn = semi-fertile
- Cancer = most fertile
Barren days are best for harvesting, pruning and weeding. Fertile days of course are best for planting and fertilizing.
- Weeding should be done in the sign of Leo
- Pruning should be done within a fire sign
- Root crops should be planted in Capricorn
- Above ground crops should be planted in Cancer
You can then incorporate the barren and fertile model with the lunar phases to further enhance the vitality of your garden and to make gardening more joyful, intentional and abundant.
Moon gardening brings us back to where we began. It helps us work with the rhythms of the earth rather than against. In the days when food sources are less reliable, shouldn’t we want to harness every resource we have with as little force?