Moon Gardening

Recently I came across a new concept, rather, it is new for me- Moon gardening also called as Lunar gardening and Astrological gardening. Simply put, it is gardening activities carried out as per the various phases on the lunar cycle and the position of the moon in the sky.

This is different from creating a Moon Garden, wherein one creates a garden with plants flowering at night and proper artificial lighting to create a show.

We all know that the moon’s gravity results in tides in the oceans. Similarly, the gravitational pull also has an influence on the movement of fluids in plants.
Moon gardening is based on this belief. It has been practiced since ages when there were no watches or calendars to tell the time. It was but logical that in ancient times man used the sun, moon and stars to guide him in his farming. It was Rudolf Steiner in 1924, who “rediscovered” this method and is one of the first methods of organic farming.  
The Zodiac sign when the moon passes through it is used in this concept. There are 12 Zodiac signs which appear at least once in a month for a period of 2-3 days. These signs are describes as fertile (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces), semi-fertile (Taurus, Libra and Capricorn), semi-barren (Aries, Sagittarius, Aquarius) and barren (Gemini, Leo, Virgo).  

Obviously, one plants/ sows seeds in the fertile period and not at all in the barren period.

Additionally moon gardening also takes into account the effect of the lunar cycle. The lunar cycle is composed of four phases. Planting and sowing crops is done according to these phases.
Plant seeds or transplants of leafy plants, and plants that carry their seeds on the outside of the fruit (strawberries, corn) when the Moon is between the new and first quarter.
When the Moon is between the first quarter and full, sow or transplant plants that produce seeds inside their fruit.
Plant bulbs and root crops between Full Moon and last quarter.
Do not plant anything between last quarter and New Moon. This time is used for weeding, composting and harvesting.

Additionally one has to follow the weather conditions prevalent at that time, you cannot sow cool weather crops in the summer heat following only the lunar calendar and hope to get away with it!

For all those whose interest is piqued, look it up on the web, you will be surprised at the amount of info on the subject.

Also don't forget to enjoy your garden in moonlight :)

Happy Gardening!