Lunar gardening
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Lunar gardening
Thought this might be of interest to you Apocalipso.
Moon planting
A market gardener explains and answers the sceptics
by Julian Blackhirst
Plant growth during the lunar seasons
"... planting by the moon ... helps to get us back in touch with nature's rhythms ..."
Moon planting is an ancient agricultural method that has been used
for thousands of years by farmers and gardeners who have observed the
very real effects of the moon on plants and devised various methods to
take advantage of the moon’s influence.
It is simpler than you might think and easy to do in your garden. The
cycle of the moon from one new moon to the next is called the synodic
cycle. At different parts of the synodic cycle the moon’s influence on
the earth changes.
Due to the moon’s elliptical orbit sometimes it is closer to the
earth and sometimes it is further away. The moon’s gravitational pull on
the earth varies accordingly and creates high and low tides in the
ocean. It also influences the flow of sap in plants and the movement of
water in the soil.
The variations in moonlight and gravity throughout the month have
noticeable effects on plant growth, animal and perhaps even human
behaviour.
Throughout the centuries farmers and gardeners have studied the
effects of the moon on plant growth and devised various methods to take
advantage of the moon.
The lunar cycle can be used to determine not only the best time to
plant seeds, but also when to transplant seedlings, take cuttings,
cultivate the soil, and mow lawns. The moon’s 29 day cycle is divided
into four phases or lunar ‘seasons’ lasting about a week each.
Lunar summer – full moon
At full moon there is increased light and nature does not sleep at
night – the influence of the moon on plants is greatest: this is the
lunar ‘summer.’
The moon is closer to the earth making it appear bigger and giving it
a stronger gravitational pull. The increased light and stronger sap
movement in the part of the plant above the ground creates strong leaf
and flower growth but slower root growth.
Lunar autumn – waning moon
As the moon wanes, its influence on plant growth wanes with it. The
decreasing amount of moon light and gravitational influence means the
dominant sap flow gradually moves from the top of the plant to the
roots. This is the lunar autumn.
Leaf growth slows down and is balanced by equal root growth. The
increased sap flow to the roots makes this a good time to transplant
seedlings and to strike cuttings. Soil preparation and weeding should
also be during the waning moon.
Lunar winter – new moon
As the new moon approaches plants put more of their energy into root
growth. The moon moves further away and gets smaller in our sky. During
the lunar winter lack of moonlight causes leaf and flower growth to slow
right down. This is a perfect time to mow the lawn or prune trees and
hedges to slow down their growth.
Seeds do not germinate well during this phase so recently weeded
gardens will be less likely to sprout a whole new batch of weeds. Root
crops like carrots and potatoes, which take a long time to come up can
be sown now so that they are ready to germinate and grow during the next
waxing moon.
Lunar spring – waxing moon
After the new moon every night the crescent moon gets a little
bigger, bringing with it more moonlight and bringing the moon a littler
closer to us. Sap flow returns up the plant into the leaves and stems
and growth increases above the ground.
Seeds germinate quickly and easily during the lunar ‘spring’. Leaf
crops, legumes, fruit, cereals and any plant that produces a crop above
the ground should be sown now. Pruning and mowing during this phase
stimulates growth as the increased lunar influence makes plants grow
back faster than at other times.
Re: Lunar gardening
interesting, ive never thought much about the moon and gardening
Apocalypse prettysoon- Posts : 378
Join date : 2012-05-03
Location : NSW
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