The Moon and the Garden

The Moon has four phases or quarters per month, lasting about seven days each. The first two quarters are called Waxing, which are between the new and full Moon, when the Moon is getting brighter.  The third and fourth quarters are after the full Moon, when the light is decreasing or called Waning.

The Moon orbits around our planet affecting the rising and falling tides of our oceans. A gravitational pull occurs and we feel it as well, as the water mass does as it is pulled gently from side to side. The tide cycle follows the same time cycle as the rising Moon, repeating every 24 hours and 50 minutes. Tides rise as well in lakes and rivers, just like the oceans.

Did you know that there is a connection between the Moon and the tides, and planting and gardening? Planting by the Moon is the oldest form of gardening known to man. When planting your garden, the Moon’s position has an impact on how well your seeds will germinate, grow and develop because it’s all about the Moon’s influence on the groundwater tables beneath our feet, and how much moisture is in the soil.

Understanding this and timing your gardening chores according to the phases of the Moon is the basis of Moon gardening.