Astrological Gardening

Astrological Gardening

her-self

Our life on planet Earth is characterized by the continuing cycle of four seasons: spring. summer. fall. and winter. These seasons are very closely related to the movements of the planets in relation to the signs of the Zodiac. The positions of the Sun and Moon especially can clue us to the kinds of activities that are naturally taking place. For example. March 20th the Sun moved into the sign Aries. signalling the Veraal Equinox. The First Day of Spring. the beginning of a new year. This has been the time of the re-awaking of a vast part of the planet that has just gone through the sleep of winter. Aries is a great release of energy and inspiration to propel us though the new year.

April 20th the Sun moves into Taurus. Taurus takes the energy potential from Aries and sustains it. tries to give it substance and make it real. Taurus is the time for planting seeds. for making concrete plans for the year to come. Whether you are into organic or chemical gardening or farming. knowing the relationship of planting and growing to the Sun's position is obviously essential- your can't plant successfully in the winter naturally. and it's better to plant in the spring rather than the summer or fall. 

Knowing the relationship of planting and growing to the Moon is not so readily obvious. although more and more people will testify to the effects of such knowledge. many American farmers will go as far as to take into account temperature changes at least in relation to the Moon. saying for example that it's colder near the Full Moon. The Moon Sign Book which has been published since 1906. has an annual Moon Garden Contest. There is one winner and three Honorable Mentions reported on and pictured in the 1974 edition they are all typical American farmers and gardeners. except the third Honorable Mention is a young freek woman (with the help of her two kids) farming in British Colombia. 

The winner of the contest is Ms. Cobie Lindner of Graceville, Minnesota, who grew cauliflower and cabbages and planted under a first Cancer Moon on May 16. The biggest cauliflower measured 12 inches and weighed 8 pounds. Says the Moon Sign Book. " Ms. Lindner has been planting by the Moon for the last ten years and wound't think of gardening without it." The first honorable mention was for Ms. D. Kullieth. who used a combination of "lunar gardening" and "her husband's green thumb" to grow tomatoes weighing a pund and over. planted under a 2nd quarter Cancer Moon. The second honorable mention went to an old farmer. Mr Richard Sawall of Fresno. California. who is picture with huge red onions that he grew along with beets and carrots. all planted under a third quarter Cancer Moon. Mr. Sawall "has been using the Moon Sign Book in his gardening for the last 25 years and wouldn't be without it." And the third honorable metnion was for Ms. Joan Smith. picture with her two kids and lots of vegies in British Columbia. She planted the pictured huge winter squashes in May with the Moon waxing in Taurus and using only organic gardening methods grew them and lots more. enough to give away many many pounds to friends. T

The Moon is a powerful force - it can only help us to understand more when studied with a positive attitude.

When we study plants in relation to the Moon. we need to address the phases of the Moon - whether it's a New or a Full Moon and whether it's waxing (getting bigger. going from the New Moon to the Full Moon) or waning (Getting smaller. going form the Full Moon to the New Moon) - as well as we need to know the sign of the Zodiac the Moon is in.

During the first two quarters when the Moon is waxing from the New Moon to the Full Moon it is best to plant annuals whole yielding parts are above ground. During the first quarter it is best for leafy plants that produce their seed outside the fruit. as well as for cereals and grains. For example. asparagus. broccoli. brussel sprouts. cabbage. cauliflower. celery. cress. endive. kohlrabi. lettuce. parsley. and spinach. 

During the second quarter as the Moon is still waxing and approaching the Full Moon is said to be the best for plants that yield above ground and are generally vines that produce their seed inside the fruit. Examples are beans. eggplant. melons. peas. pepper. pumpkins. squash. tomatoes. and again cereal and grains. 

When the Moon is waning. going from a Full Moon to a New Moon. is the best time to plant root crops. the yielding part of which is underground. Plant biennials. perennials. bulb and root plants. trees. shrubs. berries. beets. carrots. and onions. parsnips. peanuts. potatoes. radishes. rhubarb. rutabagas. strawberries. turnip. winter wheat. grapes.

In the last or fourth quarter phase as it's waning right before the New Moon. it is best to cultivate. pull weeds and destroy pests. turn sod and the like. 

Non of this is totally strict and exclusive and there must be many ways to develop the whole process. The next essential part of the process though is the sign of the Zodiac the Moon is in. Each sign has detailed descriptions of what they are about in relation to all aspects of our lives. Part of the descriptions (developed from the beginning of life) is whether each sign is barren  or fruitful in relation to planting and procreation (for animal breeding and human family planning) So its not only the phase of the Moon tha's important. but the sign too must be noted for even more success. The Moon changes from sign to sign about ever 2.5 days. Fruitful signs are good for planting. When the Moon is in a barren sign is a god time for cultivating, destroying noxious growths. weeds and pests.

The following is commonly accepted:

Aries is barren. Taurus is productive. Geminis is barren. Cancer is very fruitful. Leo is barren. Virgo is barren. Libra is semi-fruitful. Scorpio is very fruitful. Sagittarius is barren. Capricorn is productive. Aquarius is barren. Pisces is very fruitful.

If it's not possible to plant during the best time. then do it during the next best time. most people don't take these factors into account at all.

A few more things:

Germination is best when the Moon is waxing from New to Full.

Friends told me never to plant exactly on the day of the New or Full Moon. wait a day.

 I've hear conflicting things about transplanting. A friend said to transplant when the Moon is waning so the energy will go to the roots the Moon Sign Book said transplant when the Moon is waxing. Perhaps it depends on the kind of plant - transplant root and bulb plants when the Moon is waning and above ground plants when the Moon is waxing . Don't transplant marijuana or other weeds at all form what I've heard.

Soil preparation is also key. Plow a field or prepare a garden bed during a barren sign because you don't want anything to grow during that time.

Almost all the information for this article came from the 1974 Moon Sign Book and the Witch's Almanac (Aries 1973 to Pisces 1974) as well as from friends here in Ann Arbor who practice somewhat the methods described and are very happy with the results. I haven't had a lot of direct experience with Moon gardening myslef and would be interested in people's responses to these ideas. "the wise person rules the stars - the ignorant person is ruled by them."

-Genie Plamondon