Planting by the Moon?
You Decide.
My grandparents owned a seventy-four acre farm in Indiana, and I spent weekends and summer vacations there when possible. To me, it was paradise!
Everyday was an Easter egg hunt. I was up every morning before the chickens, a bit impatient that they were taking so long to provide breakfast. Most of the chickens were Plymouth Rock, but my favorite were the smaller Bantam chickens. Instead of laying their miniature eggs in the hen house, they almost always chose under the lilac bushes, bleeding hearts or four o’clocks. They seemed to favor flowers, and so did my grandmother and I! My grandmother had a cutting garden filled with tulips, daffodils, and narcissus in the spring, peonies and gladiolas in the summer and zinnias and chrysanthemums in the fall.
But for the most part, gardening was a very solemn business.My grandparents raised all the food and bedding for their chickens, pigs, herd of black Angus cattle, and food for the family. I remember concerned conversations about the effects of the weather on the crops. They had no control over flooding or drought, but one thing they could control, and took very seriously, was planting by the phases of the moon. All aspects of nature were viewed as having an impact on each other and they associated when to plant with the moon’s visibility. The Farmer’s Almanac and observing the phases of the moon weren’t amusing entertainment. They were considerations for survival.
Over the years I’ve read articles about lunar planting being ineffective and irrelevant. Admittedly, my life and livelihood have never been impacted by when I plant. Gardening has been more of a hobby or luxury. I’m well aware of the Amish markets or grocery stores near by. That wasn’t the case for my grandparents. They didn’t have a back up plan. They grew crops by the moon for decades and it worked for them! Whether you are convinced or not, you might want to pay attention and ask questions of those whose gardens are impressive! They may very well have an edge because they plant by lunar phases!
In case you're interested, here’s a quick synopsis to get you started!
New Moon to First Quarter - Beginning with the new moon and increasing to a quarter moon. During this time, plants are resting. This is not the time to plant. This is a great time to look through seed catalogues, visit garden centers, plan your gardens and gather your gardening supplies.
Two Days Before the Full Moon - After all danger of frost has passed, two days before the full moon is the ideal time to plant seeds or transplant plants that will grow above the ground. The magnetism of the full moon will ensure that plants are pulled upward.
Third Quarter of the Waning Moon - Following the full moon, the moon will diminish, or wane, in size. This is the best time to plant root vegetables.
Everyday was an Easter egg hunt. I was up every morning before the chickens, a bit impatient that they were taking so long to provide breakfast. Most of the chickens were Plymouth Rock, but my favorite were the smaller Bantam chickens. Instead of laying their miniature eggs in the hen house, they almost always chose under the lilac bushes, bleeding hearts or four o’clocks. They seemed to favor flowers, and so did my grandmother and I! My grandmother had a cutting garden filled with tulips, daffodils, and narcissus in the spring, peonies and gladiolas in the summer and zinnias and chrysanthemums in the fall.
But for the most part, gardening was a very solemn business.My grandparents raised all the food and bedding for their chickens, pigs, herd of black Angus cattle, and food for the family. I remember concerned conversations about the effects of the weather on the crops. They had no control over flooding or drought, but one thing they could control, and took very seriously, was planting by the phases of the moon. All aspects of nature were viewed as having an impact on each other and they associated when to plant with the moon’s visibility. The Farmer’s Almanac and observing the phases of the moon weren’t amusing entertainment. They were considerations for survival.
Over the years I’ve read articles about lunar planting being ineffective and irrelevant. Admittedly, my life and livelihood have never been impacted by when I plant. Gardening has been more of a hobby or luxury. I’m well aware of the Amish markets or grocery stores near by. That wasn’t the case for my grandparents. They didn’t have a back up plan. They grew crops by the moon for decades and it worked for them! Whether you are convinced or not, you might want to pay attention and ask questions of those whose gardens are impressive! They may very well have an edge because they plant by lunar phases!
In case you're interested, here’s a quick synopsis to get you started!
New Moon to First Quarter - Beginning with the new moon and increasing to a quarter moon. During this time, plants are resting. This is not the time to plant. This is a great time to look through seed catalogues, visit garden centers, plan your gardens and gather your gardening supplies.
Two Days Before the Full Moon - After all danger of frost has passed, two days before the full moon is the ideal time to plant seeds or transplant plants that will grow above the ground. The magnetism of the full moon will ensure that plants are pulled upward.
Third Quarter of the Waning Moon - Following the full moon, the moon will diminish, or wane, in size. This is the best time to plant root vegetables.