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Gardening by the Moon

Jane Hawley Stevens


Four Elements Organic Herbals
North Freedom, WI.
Booth 234
Gardening by the Moon
• Used to fine tune your gardening practices
• Offers a rhythm to various gardening aspects
• Most basically, plant while moon is waxing
and harvest as moon is waning
• Moon aspects still listed in newspaper under
best fishing day
• Moon phases affect ocean tides
New Moon - First Quarter
• At the new moon, the lunar gravity pulls water up,
and causes the seeds to swell and burst. This factor,
coupled with the increasing moonlight creates
balanced root and leaf growth. This is the best time
for planting above ground annual crops that produce
their seeds outside the fruit. Examples are lettuce,
spinach, celery, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and
grain crops. Cucumbers like this phase also, even
though they are an exception to that rule.
Second Quarter
• In the second quarter the gravitational pull is less,
but the moonlight is strong, creating strong leaf
growth. It is generally a good time for planting,
especially two days before the full moon. The types
of crops that prefer the second quarter are annuals
that produce above ground, but their seeds form
inside the fruit, such as beans, melons, peas,
peppers, squash, and tomatoes. Mow lawns in the
first or second quarter to increase growth.
Third Quarter -Full Moon
• After the full moon, as the moon wanes, the energy
is drawing down. The gravitation pull is high,
creating more moisture in the soil, but the moonlight
is decreasing, putting energy into the roots. This is a
favorable time for planting root crops, including
beets, carrots, onions, potatoes. It is also good for
perennials, biennials, bulbs and transplanting
because of the active root growth. Pruning is best
done in the third quarter, in the sign of Scorpio.
Last Quarter - Death and Destroy
• In the fourth quarter there is decreased
gravitational pull and moonlight, and it is
considered a resting period. This is also
the best time to cultivate, harvest,
transplant, prune and set traps. Mow lawns
in the third or fourth quarter to slow growth.

Aries- A fire sign. Barren and dry. Harvest root and fruit for storage. Cultivate,
destroy weeds and pests.

Taurus- An earth sign. Productive and moist. Second best for planting and
transplanting. Good for root crops and potatoes, especially when hardiness is
important. Also a good sign for leafy vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage and
spinach.

Gemini- An air sign. Barren and dry. Harvest root and fruit for storage.
Cultivate, destroy weeds and pests.

Cancer- A water sign. Very fruitful and moist. The best sign for all planting
and transplanting. Also good for grafting, and irrigation.

Leo- A fire sign. Very barren and dry. Cultivate, harvest root and fruit for
storage. An excellent time to destroy weeds and pests in the fourth quarter.

Virgo- An earth sign. Barren and moist. Some flowers and vines are favored
by it. Cultivate and destroy weeds and pests.

Libra- An air sign. Semi-fruitful and moist. Best sign for planting beautiful and
fragrant
flowers, vines and herbs. Good for planting pulpy stems like kohlrabi, and root
crops.
Scorpio- A water sign. Very fruitful and moist. Best planting sign for sturdy plants and vines.
Tomatoes like to be transplanted in Scorpio, and it is a good sign for corn and squash. Scorpio
effects grafting to promote better fruit, (in the third quarter) and pruning in the fourth quarter to
retard growth. A good sign for irrigation and transplanting.
.

Sagittarius- A fire sign. Barren and dry. Harvest roots and onions for storage, and plant onion
sets and fruit trees. A good sign in which to cultivate the soil.

Capricorn- An earth sign. Productive and dry. Good for planting potatoes and other root crops,
and for encouraging strong hardy growth. Good for grafting, and pruning to promote healing,
and applying organic fertilizer.

Aquarius- An air sign. Barren and dry. Harvest root and fruit for storage. Cultivate, destroy
weeds and pests. Good for planting onion sets.

Pisces- A water sign. Very productive and moist. Second best sign for planting and
transplanting. Especially good for root growth and irrigation.
O ther ways to apply moon
phases:

1. Clean garden shed when 8. Graft in Capricorn or


moon is in Libra or Virgo
Cancer.
2. Plan parties when moon is 9. Have dental care in
in Virgo, Gemini or Libra
Virgo.
3. Do NOT have surgeries 10. Can or pickle in
around the full moon .
Scorpio
4. Put in fences in Capricorn 11. Control insects

5. Prune in Aries, Leo or Aries, Sagittarius,


Sagittarius to reduce growth Gemini, Leo, Aquarius

6. Start projects at New Moon 12. Go camping in


Sagittarius
7. End projects in fourth
Quarter
Jane’s Gardening Tips
 Start slow growing or cool season
plants first, usually around Valentine’s Day.
Stratify some perennial seeds in
refrigerator, if they have not been treated
yet.
Use heat mats then lights to conserve
on space and boost germination.
Root cuttings in a mixture of 1 part
peat to 2 parts perlite
Move plants outside to harden off
before planting, preferable on a still,
overcast day.
Be attentive of days till harvest for
annual vegetables. Some crops can be
planted every week or 2 for continual
harvest.
More Gardening Tips
 Let annuals re-seed in same place
M
o for up to 3 years to conserve energy!
r
e • (Like dill, cilantro, chamomile and calendula)
Harvest
flowers every couple days, to twice a
week. Keep sowing
seeds on beneficial days throughout the
season. Heavily mulch
perennials! You can use cardboard
under the mulch for extra re-
enforcement. Realize that even with the
best of care, perennial areas may need
to be replanted every 3-5 years to
reduce weed pressure. Soil
improvement is key. Keep adding
organic matter yearly. Occasionally take
soil out of production and cover crop.
Soil improvement is key. Keep adding organic matter yearly.
Occasionally take soil out of production and cover crop.

Let your inspiration guide you as to what to grow.

Walk through your gardens everyday if possible. It helps


you notice problems before they get out of hand.

If you decide to rely on gardening for an income, make a


budget.

Make sure your goal is not poverty, unless that really is


your goal. Eventually it will become more obvious what
your special touch is.

Remember sustainability includes you!

Jane Hawley Stevens, Four Elements Organic Herbals,


North Freedom, WI. 2009
Open House
 Saturday, June 12th
 Noon - 4 p.m.
 Garden Tours and Woodland Hike
 at 12:30 and 2:00
 Organic herb & vegetable transplants
available
 Herbal Products for sale
 map at www.fourelementsherbals.com
FOUR ELEMENTS ORGANIC
HERBALS

BOOTH 234

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