Moon planting is a gardening technique that involves planting crops and sowing seeds according to the phase of the moon. It’s based on the idea that the gravitational pull of the moon affects the water table and therefore the moisture levels in the soil, which in turn influence plant growth and development. By harmonising with these cycles of nature we can maximise plant growth and productivity.
Different moon phases are associated with different aspects of plant growth, such as root development, leaf growth, and fruit production, so certain times of the lunar cycle are considered better for planting different types of crops.
It’s important to note that this system of gardening does not apply to plants being grown in artificial environments, such as pots, planters, and other containers, because they’re not in contact with the soil water table that’s affected by the moon.
Where Did the Practice of Moon Planting Originate From?
The practice of moon planting, also known as lunar gardening, is an ancient agricultural tradition that dates back thousands of years.
It is believed to have originated with the ancient Babylonians and Assyrians, who observed the cycles of the moon and its effects on plant growth.
The practice was later adopted by the ancient Greeks and Romans, who believed that the moon’s position in the zodiac had an influence on the growth and development of plants. The Roman agricultural writer Varro wrote about the importance of planting crops in accordance with the phases of the moon in his book “De Re Rustica” (On Agriculture).
Looking at other cultures, the practice of moon planting also has roots in traditional Native American and African agricultural practices, where the cycles of the moon were used as a guide for planting and harvesting crops.
Today, moon planting is still practiced by many gardeners and farmers around the world, who believe that planting and harvesting crops in accordance with the phases of the moon can lead to better yields and healthier plants.
While it’s not understood scientifically how the moon’s phases may influence plant growth, the practice of moon planting is largely based on traditional knowledge and cultural beliefs. There are many moon planting systems, and some are more complicated than others.
The Effect of the Moon’s Gravity of Groundwater Levels
The system of moon planting is predicated on the fact that the Earth’s underground water table rises and falls due to the gravitational pull of the moon much like the tides of the ocean do.
While it the belief in moon planting practice that the rise and fall of moisture in the soil due to the moon’s gravity significantly affects plant growth may be disputable, the actual observable and measurable change in groundwater levels due to the influence of the moon’s and sun’s gravity on the Earth is an objective fact that’s accepted in the scientific field of hydrogeology.
The two natural phenomena that are relevant here are ocean tides and earth tides.
Ocean Tides and Groundwater Levels
It is well understood that the ocean tides significantly affect the height of the water table near coastal areas, which historically have been areas that were attractive to early human settlements.
Why would this be relevant to ancient moon planting practices? The deltas and alluvial plains adjacent to coastlines provided early agricultural communities with flat, fertile land that made farming possible, while coastal location provided a milder and more comfortable climate, as well as ready access to the sea for fishing and other purposes.
Earth Tides and Groundwater Levels
Further inland, it has been observed that the water levels in wells fluctuate with the moon’s phases, due to a phenomenon known as earth tides, which are similar to ocean tides, but in this case it’s the Earth’s crust, which has a certain degree of elasticity, that deforms out of shape as it rotates within the gravitational fields of the sun and moon.
The groundwater that’s buried deep beneath layers of different types of sediments is either semi-confined or confined and under great pressure. As the earth tides exert pressure of the planet’s crust, the deformation is most noticeable in areas with less rigid rocks, such as sedimentary basins. The compression and expansion from earth tides influences the pressure in aquifers (underground layers of permeable rock or sediment that can hold and transmit groundwater).
When the crust is compressed, it can squeeze water out of the aquifer, leading to a temporary rise in groundwater levels. Conversely, when the crust expands, it allows the aquifer to recharge, causing a temporary drop in groundwater levels. Groundwater levels can change from centimetres to tens of centimetres under this influence.
Four of these earth tides are large enough to be measurable, the lunar and solar diurnal tides (with a period of around 24 hours) and semidiurnal tides (with a period of around 12 hours). The vertical movement of the Earth’s crust due to the influence of these tides is about one foot or less, but exerts tremendous pressure, as this outer layer of the planet is around 40km (25-mile) deep!
In the following section we’ll look at fairly straightforward moon planting method that’s easy to implement.
Lunar Gardening Through the Four Quarters of the Moon
Moon planting is a technique that involves planting crops and sowing seeds based on the lunar calendar.
The lunar month is the time taken by the moon to pass through all of its phases, and is around 29.5 days long. The exact length of the lunar month varies, changing from month to month because the moon’s orbit is elliptical (oval) in shape. It’s divided up into four quarters, three of which are seven days long, and one of eight days.
- The first quarter begins with a new moon, where the moon is not visible in the sky, and the strength of the moon’s gravitational pull on the Earth is at its weakest, which then increases through the first and second quarters.
- The second quarter ends with a full moon, where the gravitational pull is at its strongest, and which then decreases through the third and fourth quarters, until the end of the fourth quarter, becoming a new moon once again.
As mentioned earlier, the Earth’s water table rises and falls due to the gravitational pull of the moon much like the tides of the ocean do, rising as the moon’s gravitational pull increases and falling back down when it decreases.
In the four sections below, I will detail what garden tasks are carried our during each moon phase respectively, along with the explanation or rationale used in moon planting system for their choice of timing.
The First Quarter, Plant Crops That Produce Below the Ground
In the first quarter, just after new moon, when the moon begins waxing, the influence of the moon’s gravity increases, causing the water table to rise, activating the life in the soil ecosystem and encouraging beneficial bacteria.
This is the best time for planting root crops (plants that produce their crop beneath the soil, such as carrots, onions and potatoes), as they require soil moisture over a long period, and benefit from starting off in optimally moist soil conditions, growing larger and more prolific.
Things to do during the first quarter:
- Sow seeds and plant all crops that produce below the soil. These include:
- Arrowroot
- Beetroot
- Burdock
- Celeriac
- Carrot
- Cassava
- Chervil
- Chicory
- Chinese artichoke (Stachys affinis)
- Crosne (Stachys sieboldii)
- Daikon
- Earthnut pea (Lathyrus tuberosus)
- Elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius)
- Ginger
- Hamburg parsley (Parsley root)
- Horseradish
- Jerusalem Artichoke
- Jicama
- Kohlrabi
- Malanga (Xanthosoma)
- Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum)
- Oca (New Zealand yam)
- Parsnip
- Peanut
- Potato
- Radish
- Rutabaga
- Salsify
- Scorzonera (Black salsify)
- Skirret (Sium sisarum)
- Sweet Potato
- Taro
- Turmeric
- Turnip
- Ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus)
- Yam
- The surge in growth due to the rising soil moisture will also awaken weeds in the garden, so this is the time for weeding, removing them before they grow.
- If you’re a gardener that digs their garden beds, it’s also a good time to cultivate the soil lightly to aerate the soil, which allows moisture to rise up through the soil more easily, and for rainwater to seep deeper into the soil and reach plant roots. Incorporating compost into the soil to a depth of around 10-15cm (4-6″) will greatly improve the soil.
Alternate moon planting traditions suggest that the crops that will do best planted or sown as seeds in the first lunar quarter are leafy annuals, these are vegetables and herbs of which the leaves are used.
- This includes vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, silverbeet, cabbage and kale.
- There are also others planted at this time that don’t fit neatly into this category, such as broccoli and cauliflower which are edible florets, Brussels sprouts which are leafy buds, globe artichokes which are immature flower heads, asparagus which are shoots, and celery, of which the stems are utilised.
The Second Quarter, Plant Crops That Produce Above the Ground
In the second quarter, when the moon is waxing, the influence of the moon’s gravity grows stronger as it reaches its peak, causing a further increase in soil moisture, creating conditions that help plants grow more prolifically.
Things to do during the second quarter:
- This is the best time for planting everything that produces crops above the ground, which includes flowering and fruiting vegetables, leafy vegetables, fruit, berries, cereal crops and ornamental flowering plants.
- It’s also an ideal time to plant any crops or flowers that have a short growing life, as they will perform optimally when they’re growing in more ideal conditions with less stress due to environmental conditions.
Alternate moon planting traditions suggest that the crops that will do best planted or sown as seeds in the second lunar quarter are fruiting annuals, these are vegetables that produce seed of seed-bearing fruit or pods.
- This includes vegetables such as beans, peas, tomato, eggplant, capsicum, chillies, cucumber, squash, pumpkin, melons, gourds, corn and zucchini.
The Third Quarter, Time to Harvest
The second quarter ends in a full moon, where the moon’s gravitational influence reaches its peak, after which the moon begins to wane, marking the beginning the third quarter.
During the period from the full moon into the third quarter, the water table is at its highest point in the twenty-nine-day lunar cycle, and the soil moisture content is at its maximum, allowing plants to draw the most water and nutrients from the soil. When crops are packed with nutrients and swell with moisture, this ensures their longevity in terms of nutrient density and resistance to drying out when in storage.
Things to do during the third quarter:
- The full moon is the best time to pick fruit, and also to harvest roots crops such as carrots, garlic, onions, parsnips or potatoes in autumn for long-term storage. Store them dark, dry place to ensure that they’ll keep for a long time.
- With perishable soft fruits such as berries which don’t store well, harvest and eat them when they’re ripe. In the third quarter, do so as soon after full moon as possible, they’ll taste the best at this point, don’t wait longer for them to get larger.
- As crops grow they uses up the available soil nutrients, so prepare to feed all crops that require a good feed with a natural fertiliser such as a manure after the full moon begins to wane, although the best time for this is in the fourth quarter.
Alternate moon planting traditions suggest that the crops that will do best planted or sown as seeds in the third lunar quarter are root crops which produce below the ground, and perennials, such trees, shrubs, berries and vines, as well as perennial vegetables such as rhubarb. It’s also the time to propagate perennials from cuttings if applicable.
The Fourth Quarter, Time to Improve the Soil
After the third quarter, where the moon continues to wane and ends in a new moon, (also known as a dark moon, because it’s no longer visible), where its gravitational influence is at its lowest.
In the fourth and final quarter of the moon’s monthly journey, the soil moisture content drops to its lowest point, making the soil much lighter, and easier to work. In rainy weather, the water seeps into the soil more quickly because of the lower level of the ground water table, reducing waterlogging and making it easier to dig or plow.
Things to do during the fourth quarter:
- This is the best time incorporate (dig in) fertiliser, manures and other organic matter such as compost or worm castings into the soil. Add liquid feeds to the soil at this time also. In this time of rest for the garden, add any soil amendments at least ten days before planting to give them time to break down and be absorbed into the soil to replenish and restore it.
- Pruning trees and clipping hedges is done now, as the soil moisture is not rising so the pruning cuts will heal faster and there will be less bleeding of sap.
- It’s a good time for propagation, and perennials that are divided will heal faster. Grafting is also carried out at this time.
- Once again, it’s time for weeding, and perennial weeds removed now will have less of a chance to reestablish themselves.
Alternate moon planting traditions also suggest that the fourth lunar quarter is not a good time for planting, as it’s a period of low vitality, and best used for cultivating soil, making compost and performing garden maintenance tasks.
Why Do Some Moon Planting Systems Disagree on Timing?
Some moon planting practices are based on different traditions. They may also be based on old traditions, which may have been changed over time possibly due to putting them into practice in different locations and discovering new approaches that worked better in certain areas.
Other moon planting systems are more esoteric, based on different principles, such as the astrological sign of the zodiac the moon is in at the time, as well as its phase. In astrology, the moon spends approximately 2.5 days in each sign of the zodiac, of which there are twelve.
- During the appropriate moon phase, some days are considered more fertile than others. When the moon is in the ‘fertile’ Water signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, this is deemed more favourable.
- Next best are the ‘semi-fertile’ signs of Taurus, Libra and Capricorn.
- Conversely, when the moon is in the remaining six ‘barren’ signs of Gemini, Virgo, Aquarius or the Fire signs Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, it’s the most effective time for eliminating pests and weeds.
There are also more modern systems, such as the bio-dynamic movement founded in 1924 by the Austrian teacher and philosopher Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925), which expands on the traditional practices of organic gardening to include a broader holistic framework that acknowledges and aims to work with universal forces that are at play in nature.
While these ideas may challenge the worldviews of some gardeners, it’s important to understand the diversity, depth and breadth of the range of moon planting systems out there.
What Does the Scientific Community Say About Moon Planting?
While moon planting is a popular gardening technique, the exact mechanisms behind moon planting are not well understood, and there’s limited scientific evidence to support it. Some studies have found that the moon’s gravitational pull does affect moisture levels in the soil, but the overall impact on plant growth on crop growth and yields is still not clear.
Does moon planting work? As a person with a science background, the most scientific and objective answer from me is “I don’t know”, as I personally haven’t tried it out to see if it works!
The Cases of Flawed Logic
Why not dismiss the idea outright for lack of evidence or supposedly questionable explanation?
- Having also studied philosophy of logic, critical thinking tells us that this would be the logical fallacy of ‘Appealing to Ignorance’, by suggesting that a premise is false simply because it hasn’t been proven true. As the expression goes, “absence of proof is not proof of absence”. Natural phenomena exist independently of human awareness of them, let alone the discovery of proof.
- Another common logical fallacy I have seen is people attempting to dismiss moon gardening on the premise that the moon’s gravity causes the sap to flow upwards in plants. The refutation is that the column of water that flows inside a plant by capillary action is too minute to be influenced by gravity. That’s a ‘Strawman’ logical fallacy of misrepresenting or exaggerating an argument to make it easier to attack. I don’t believe that anyone has ever claimed that the moon’s gravity pulls the water up in the plant. The suggestion that water does so is due to increased transpiration because there is more water available at the roots due to the gravity raising the height of the water table.
- The third logical fallacy is one of confusing the explanation for the phenomenon itself, and the practice of biodynamic gardening is a case in point. The founder, Steiner, explains his agricultural methods, including moon planting, in part in a spiritual way from the worldview of anthroposophy, which is not a materialist scientific explanation, and one that some people may deem false. From that they conclude that biodynamic gardening can’t work for that reason, though any objective person with a modicum of intellectual integrity will admit that even though they may not agree or understand Steiner’s explanations, there are many outstanding biodynamic farms that are not only working, but impressively so. This scenario is an example oof the ‘Denying the Antecedent’ logical fallacy. This fallacy occurs when someone incorrectly negates the antecedent (the “if” part) of a conditional statement and then erroneously concludes that the consequent (the “then” part) is also false. The incorrect explanation doesn’t negate the existence of the phenomenon; it just means the explanation is flawed. It’s important to separate the accuracy of an explanation from the reality of the phenomenon it seeks to explain.
From my scientific training perspective, I have no trouble with healthy skepticism, but there really is no room for sloppy logic in scientific thinking.
Why Does Moon Planting Even Exist?
If we take an anthropological perspective, human cultures carry on traditions and practices for a reason, to solve particular problems, and the ones that survive the test of time do so for a reason. Many of us forget that early agriculture was a life or death matter, if crops failed, communities perished. If such moon planting systems existed worldwide across many cultures, the probability is that they must have worked at some time in some place, as an explanation of their worldwide spread and longevity.
My analytical mind tells me that in certain geographical locations with the appropriate geological formations and aquifers below the ground, coupled with particular soil types, it’s possible that the effect of coastal tides and earth tides may elevate groundwater sufficiently to benefit agricultural cropping areas under specific circumstances. What combination of conditions is required for this to all come together to work is clearly unknown at this point. But then again, there’s a lot we don’t understand…
Does the Moon Affect Us?
There are many unknowns in science, and on a related topic, the studies om the effects of moon cycles on mental disorders and psychiatric emergencies has always been rather interesting. There have been many studies which have produced inconsistent results, but quite a few have observed statistically significant changes.
- A study by Kazemi‐Bajestani et al. (2011) revealed a slight increase in number of visits to psychiatric emergency room during full moon periods, but a highly significant increase in the severity of illness and aggressive behaviors and agitation in the beginning and end of the moon cycles.
- A similar study by Uddin et al., (2023) concluded that diseases that have significant variations during different lunar phases (non-moon and moon phases) for outpatient visits in the hospital.
- Mittal et al. (2021) also found that sentinel events, such as use of restraints, especially chemical ones, in psychiatry in-patients are significantly more common during full moon and new moon phases.
These types of studies generally conclude that more in-depth research investigations are required to explain the results, which makes the point that we can observe phenomena but not be able to explain them at present, and that’s a normal part of science.
Dare to Experiment, You Might Learn Something!
Some gardeners may find that following the guidelines described in this article helpful in growing their crops, while others may not see any difference. Ultimately, the best way to determine if moon planting works for you is to experiment and see how your plants respond.
Whether or not moon planting works, the practice can be a fun and interesting way to connect with nature and the natural cycles of the moon.
References
- John Harris – The Natural Gardener, A Guide to the Ancient Practice of Moon Gardening-Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (2022)
- Moon Phases | Phases, Eclipses & Supermoons – Moon: NASA Science. (n.d.). Moon: NASA Science. https://moon.nasa.gov/moon-in-motion/phases-eclipses-supermoons/moon-phases/
- Griggs, Gary. “1. Human Settlement of the Coastal Zone”. Coasts in Crisis: A Global Challenge, Berkeley: University of California Press, 2017, pp. 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520966857-003
- Bastias, J., Rau, G. C., & Blum, P. (2022). Groundwater Responses to earth Tides: Evaluation of analytical solutions using numerical simulation. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 127(10). https://doi.org/10.1029/2022jb024771
- Rau, G. C. (n.d.). Squeezed by gravity: how tides affect the groundwater under our feet. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/squeezed-by-gravity-how-tides-affect-the-groundwater-under-our-feet-74928
- Kazemi‐Bajestani, S. M. R., Amirsadri, A., Samari, A. A., & Javanbakht, A. (2011). Lunar phase cycle and psychiatric hospital emergency visits, inpatient admissions and aggressive behavior. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 4(1), 45–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2010.12.002
- Uddin, M., Nursetyo, A. A., Iqbal, U., Nguyen, P., Jian, W., Li, Y., & Syed-Abdul, S. (2023). Assessment of effects of moon phases on hospital outpatient visits: An observational national study. AIMS Public Health, 10(2), 324–332. https://doi.org/10.3934/publichealth.2023024
- Mittal, A., Nayok, S. B., Munoli, R. N., Praharaj, S. K., & Sharma, P. C. (2021). Does lunar synodic cycle affect the rates of psychiatric hospitalizations and sentinel events? Chronobiology International, 38(3), 360–366. https://doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2020.1849253