Gardening by the Moon’s Phases
New Moon
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.
Waxing
During the First Quarter, the moon is increasing. Plant annuals producing their yield above the ground, which are generally of the leafy kind that produce their seed outside the fruit. Examples are asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cress, endive, kohlrabi, lettuce, parsley, spinach, etc. Cucumbers are an exception, as they do best in the first quarter rather than the second, even though the seeds are inside the fruit. Also plant cereals and grains.
Waxing Gibbous
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 vine like 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.
Full Moon
Waning Gibbous
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, and peanuts. It is also good for perennials, biennials, bulbs and transplanting because of the active root growth. Also plant trees, shrubs, berries, parsnips, radishes, rhubarb, rutabagas, strawberries, turnips, winter wheat, grapes, etc. Pruning is best done in the third quarter, in the sign of Scorpio.
Waning
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, turn sod, pull weeds, destroy pests of all kinds, harvest, transplant and prune. Mow lawns in the third or fourth quarter to retard growth.
Gardening by the Moon’s Signs
Moon in Aries
A masculine Fire sign. Barren and dry. Destroy weeds and pests, cultivate. Harvest root vegetables and fruit for storage. Don’t plant seeds.
Moon in Taurus
A feminine 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. Great time for gardening.
Moon in Gemini
A masculine Air sign. Barren and dry. Destroy weeds and pests, cultivate. Harvest root vegetables and fruit for storage. Melon seeds respond well in this sign.
Moon in Cancer
A feminine Water sign. Very fruitful and moist. This is the most productive sign, the best for all planting and transplanting. Also good for irrigation and grafting. Good for planting any seeds.
Moon in Leo
A masculine Fire sign. Very barren and dry.This is the most barren sign. An excellent time to destroy weeds and pests in the fourth quarter. Cultivate, harvest root vegetables and fruit for storage.
Moon in Virgo
A feminine Earth sign. Barren and moist. Good for cultivation and destroying weeds and pests. Good for all garden chores other than planting. Some flowers and vines do well in this sign.
Moon in Libra
A masculine 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. A very good sign for flowers and vines. Also used for seeding hay, corn fodder, etc.
Moon in Scorpio
A feminine 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. Graft or prune in the third and fourth quarter to retard growth and promote better fruit. A good sign for irrigation and transplanting.
Moon in Sagittarius
A masculine Fire sign. Barren and dry. Harvest root vegetables and onions for storage, and plant onion sets and fruit trees. A good harvest time. A good sign in which to cultivate the soil.
Moon in Capricorn
A feminine Earth sign. Productive and dry. Good for planting potatoes and other root crops, and for encouraging strong hardy growth. Good for planting and grafting, pruning to promote healing, and applying organic fertilizer.
Moon in Aquarius
A masculine Air sign. Barren and dry. Destroy weeds and pests, cultivate.
Limit garden chores to weeding and cleanup?
Harvest root and fruit for storage? Good for planting onion sets?
Moon in Pisces
A feminine Water sign. Very productive and moist. Second best sign for planting and transplanting. Good for planting all seeds. Especially good for root growth and irrigation.