Moon Gardening: Planting by Lunar Phases (Ancient Wisdom)
What is Moon Gardening?
Moon gardening (also called lunar gardening or planting by the moon) is the ancient practice of timing your planting, harvesting, and garden tasks according to the phases of the moon. This wisdom has been used by farmers and gardeners for THOUSANDS of years across cultures worldwide.
Just as the moon affects ocean tides and human bodies (we're 60% water!), it also affects the WATER in soil and plants. The moon's gravitational pull influences moisture levels, sap flow, and plant growth—making certain moon phases better for specific gardening tasks.
The Science Behind Moon Gardening
Moon gardening is based on:
- Gravitational pull: Moon's gravity affects water in soil (like tides)
- Moonlight: Affects plant growth and germination
- Sap flow: Rises during waxing moon, falls during waning moon
- Moisture levels: Soil moisture increases during waxing moon
- Root vs leaf growth: Different phases favor different plant parts
Studies show plants germinated during waxing moon grow faster and stronger than those planted during waning moon!
The Four Moon Phases for Gardening
New Moon to First Quarter (Days 1-7) 🌑🌒🌓
Energy: UPWARD and OUTWARD growth
Moisture: INCREASING in soil
Moonlight: INCREASING
Best For:
- Plant ABOVE-ground crops that produce seeds OUTSIDE the fruit:
- Lettuce, spinach, celery, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower
- Grains (wheat, oats, barley)
- Herbs (especially leafy ones)
- Start seedlings indoors
- Graft plants
- Apply fertilizer
Why: Increasing moonlight + moisture = strong leaf growth
First Quarter to Full Moon (Days 7-14) 🌓🌔🌕
Energy: MAXIMUM upward growth
Moisture: PEAK in soil
Moonlight: MAXIMUM
Best For:
- Plant ABOVE-ground crops that produce seeds INSIDE the fruit:
- Tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, peas, cucumbers
- Melons, pumpkins
- Annual flowers
- Transplant seedlings
- Water deeply
Why: Peak moisture + light = best time for fruiting plants
Full Moon to Last Quarter (Days 14-21) 🌕🌖🌗
Energy: DOWNWARD into roots
Moisture: DECREASING in soil
Moonlight: DECREASING
Best For:
- Plant BELOW-ground crops (root vegetables):
- Potatoes, carrots, beets, turnips, radishes, onions
- Garlic, ginger
- Perennial flowers and bulbs
- Biennials
- Plant trees and shrubs
- Divide perennials
- Take cuttings
Why: Energy goes DOWN into roots = strong root development
Last Quarter to New Moon (Days 21-28) 🌗🌘🌑
Energy: REST and DORMANCY
Moisture: LOWEST in soil
Moonlight: MINIMAL
Best For:
- Maintenance tasks (NOT planting):
- Weeding (weeds won't regrow as easily)
- Pruning (minimal sap loss)
- Harvesting (for long storage)
- Composting
- Mulching
- Pest control
- Turning soil
- Cleaning tools and garden beds
Why: Low energy = plants rest, perfect for maintenance
Complete Moon Gardening Calendar
What to Plant When:
New Moon (1st Quarter - Days 1-7):
- Lettuce, spinach, kale, chard
- Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage
- Celery, asparagus
- Grains and grasses
- Leafy herbs (parsley, cilantro)
Waxing Moon (2nd Quarter - Days 7-14):
- Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant
- Beans, peas, lentils
- Squash, zucchini, cucumbers
- Melons, pumpkins
- Annual flowers (marigolds, zinnias)
Full Moon (3rd Quarter - Days 14-21):
- Potatoes, sweet potatoes
- Carrots, beets, turnips, radishes
- Onions, garlic, leeks
- Bulbs (tulips, daffodils)
- Perennial flowers and herbs
- Trees and shrubs
Waning Moon (4th Quarter - Days 21-28):
- NO PLANTING
- Weed, prune, harvest, compost
- Prepare beds for next cycle
Moon Gardening by Zodiac Sign (Advanced)
For even MORE precision, combine moon PHASE with zodiac SIGN:
Fertile Signs (Best for Planting):
- Cancer 🦀: MOST fertile—plant anything!
- Scorpio 🦂: Very fertile—especially good for vines
- Pisces 🐟: Very fertile—especially good for root crops
- Taurus 🐂: Fertile—good for root crops and hardy plants
Barren Signs (Best for Maintenance):
- Leo 🦁: Barren—weed, harvest, prune
- Virgo 🌿: Barren—cultivate, weed
- Gemini 💬: Barren—harvest, weed
- Sagittarius 🏹: Barren—harvest, cultivate
Semi-Fertile Signs:
- Libra ⚖️: Semi-fertile—flowers and vines
- Capricorn 🏔️: Semi-fertile—root crops
- Aries 🐏: Barren—weed and cultivate
- Aquarius ⚡: Barren—weed and cultivate
Harvesting by the Moon
For Immediate Use:
Harvest during WAXING moon: Maximum moisture and flavor
For Long-Term Storage:
Harvest during WANING moon (especially 4th quarter): Less moisture = better storage, less rot
For Seeds:
Harvest during WANING moon in dry sign (Leo, Sagittarius, Aries): Driest seeds
Moon Gardening Tips & Tricks
Watering:
- Water deeply during FULL MOON: Plants absorb maximum moisture
- Avoid watering during NEW MOON: Plants don't absorb as well
Fertilizing:
- Apply during WAXING moon: Plants actively growing and absorbing
- Especially effective 2-3 days before FULL moon
Pruning:
- Prune during WANING moon: Less sap flow = less stress on plant
- Especially 4th quarter: Minimal regrowth
Weeding:
- Weed during WANING moon (especially 4th quarter): Weeds less likely to regrow
- Best in barren signs (Leo, Virgo): Maximum effectiveness
Moon Gardening Ritual
New Moon Planting Ceremony:
- Gather your seeds
- Hold them under the new moon (or new moon energy)
- Set intention: "I plant these seeds with the new moon. May they grow strong and abundant."
- Plant according to moon phase guidelines
- Water with moon water if you have it
- Thank the moon and earth
Full Moon Harvest Blessing:
- Harvest under full moon light
- Thank each plant as you harvest
- Say: "Thank you for your abundance. May you continue to grow and thrive."
- Leave offerings for the earth (compost, water)
Moon Gardening Calendar Tools
To practice moon gardening:
- Get a lunar calendar: Shows moon phases and zodiac signs
- Use moon gardening apps: Many available for smartphones
- Farmers' Almanac: Traditional resource with moon planting dates
- Track your results: Keep a garden journal noting moon phases
Does Moon Gardening Really Work?
Traditional evidence: Used successfully for thousands of years worldwide
Modern studies: Some scientific support for increased germination and growth during waxing moon
Anecdotal evidence: Many gardeners report better yields and healthier plants
Bottom line: Even if you're skeptical, it doesn't hurt to try! At minimum, it helps you PLAN and be more intentional with your garden.
Final Thoughts: Garden with the Moon
Moon gardening is ancient wisdom that modern science is beginning to validate. Our ancestors didn't have fertilizers, pesticides, or greenhouses—they had the MOON. And they fed entire civilizations.
You don't have to follow moon gardening perfectly. Even incorporating SOME lunar timing can improve your garden. Start simple: plant above-ground crops during waxing moon, root crops during waning moon, and weed during the 4th quarter.
Your garden is part of nature. The moon is part of nature. Working WITH natural rhythms instead of against them just makes sense.
Plant with the moon. Grow with the cycles. Harvest with gratitude.
Your garden—and the earth—will thank you.
Enhance your moon gardening with our gardening lunar calendars, heirloom seeds, and moon gardening tools.
