The power and miracles that happen when you garden by the moon are incredible.
I have been learning this practice for the past 25 years and it really works. There are always miracles throughout the year when you practice this method of gardening.
Some people are quick to dismiss it, but you only have to observe the landscape around you to see right before your eyes that the moon affects many things in our world; like the tides, fishing, sea life, growth, animals – the list goes on! These effects are due to the strong gravitational pull of the moon.
In this blog, I am going to give you five practical examples that are easy to understand and apply to your gardening this month to start harnessing the moon for your benefit. Try them for yourself and it will be impossible to deny the impact of the moon.
Example one – plant up when the moon is waxing
From my experience and understanding, when the moon is rising towards Full Moon (also known as the waxing phase), the sap within all plants moves a lot quicker around it. This is why we see growth spurts at this time. This is a great time to plant anything that grows above ground, as the moon will literally help it to grow quickly, almost pulling it upwards out of the soil.
Example two – prune when the moon is waning
When the moon descends towards blackness (also known as the waning phase), the sap is much slower-moving and travels down the plant to store in the roots. This is when you should prune and when best to cut the grass for slowed growth.
Example three – why it is a mistake to prune when the moon is waxing
If you have a plant that has a high sap content and you cut it close to the full moon when the sap is running vigorously, this plant will suffer as the sap will start to leak from the wound and it will be highly exposed to pest and disease.
This can also lead to the sap running in channels down the stem, causing any forming buds to rupture, which can mean that your plant will fail to flower.
Example four – cut when the moon is waning before a new moon
If you are a carver and harvest your own wood, it is best to harvest this wood during the last few days of the cycle of the moon, as this will mean less water in the wood and more fibres, which in turn will help prevent the wood rotting and bugs getting into your wood.
Example five – how to make the most of in-between the phases
Plant growth is affected by the light and gravitational force of the moon. The moon cycle is split into four quarters and it is said that, when the moon goes from one phase to another, (approximately every 7 to 8 days) the moon is void of course for 12 hours before and 12 hours after this transition.
During this time, it is best to avoid sowing, planting or pruning. Instead during this nullified time, it is good to tend to your soil or do other garden tasks like planning. There is always some planning to do and I often hear ourselves saying we don’t have time, but I have found the perfect moment by using these void of course pauses every week or so!
Over the next few weeks, I will be explaining the phases of the moon, the best time to sow which vegetables, when to plant trees and shrubs for maximum success, and explaining the terminology of the moon. By the end, you will be confidently gardening in sync with the moon’s cycle and Mother Nature will love you for it!
Your challenge
I will also be challenging you to experiment – as there is nothing better than the proof in your own pudding! I have designed an exciting moon challenge exclusively for my newsletter subscribers to try at home and watch the miracles unfold.
Sign up to my newsletter to receive the instructions for next week’s moon challenge…
Happy gardening, and stay turned for more lessons on planting by the moon
