Planting by the

moon
Principle 1: Observe and interact

The cycles of the moon have influenced gardeners from diverse cultures over many
centuries. While science may not fully understand why planting by the moon works,
anecdotal evidence suggests that it does.

Permaculture co-originator David Holmgren’s writes “good design depends on a free and
harmonious relationship to nature and people, in which careful observation and
thoughtful interaction provide the design inspiration, repertoire and patterns.”

Observing the cycles of the moon and the way that it affects both people and plants can
help to determine when to plant in order to improve our health and yield from our garden
activities.

Author of the Permaculture Home Garden Linda Woodrow, a self confessed ‘extreme
sceptic’, adopted moon planting as a way to manage her time more effectively and get
more organised. In doing so she found that “it actually does increase the germination
rate and vitality of plants”.

How does it work?

There are a number of methods of moon planting, some are complex taking into account
far off constellations – something that I find difficult to comprehend. There is an
approach that I’ve found I can get my head around. Linking the ebb and flow of the sap
in tune with the rhythms of the moon.

In a waxing moon, when light increases towards a full moon, sap flow is drawn up. This
is the most suitable time for sowing and transplanting flowering annuals, biennials,
grains and melons. Basically any short lived plant that we want to harvest its leaves,
seed, flowers or fruits. It’s also a good time for applying liquid fertilisers, pruning and
grafting as increased sap flow produces new growth more quickly.

With an waning moon, when the light is decreasing as the moon changes from a full to a
new moon, the sap flow is drawn down. This focuses the energy towards the roots,
which is more suited to root crops and perennials, plants that live longer than two years.
It’s also a good time for applying solid fertilisers, pruning dormant plants and harvesting,
as there is less likelihood of rotting.

This general pattern can be divided further into the quarterly moon cycles.

The new moon phase (from new moon to first quarter) is most suited to sowing or
transplanting leafy annuals, where we value or eat the leaves or stem. Plants like lettuce,
spinach, cabbage and celery.

The first quarter phase is most suited to fruiting annuals (not fruit trees) where we value
or eat the fruit or seed bearing part of the plant. Like tomatoes, pumpkins, broccoli and
beans.

The full moon phase (from full moon to the third quarter) is most suited to sowing or
planting out root crops as well as decorative or fruiting perennials. Like apples, potatoes
asparagus and rhubarb. It’s also a good time for taking cuttings and dividing plants.

The 2019 Permaculture Calendar – Includes daily icons and moon phase times to guide your planting.

The last quarter phase is a time to avoid planting and focus on improving the soil, by
weeding, mulching, making compost and manure teas as well as digging or ploughing.

The one caveat for this method is that 12 hours before and after the transition time from
one phase to the next is when sowing, planting and pruning is best avoided. Use this
time instead to improve your soil.
This method of moon planting is illustrated with daily icons and moon phase times in
the Permaculture Calendar.

How to Grow a Vegetable

Garden by the Moon Phases
1

Plant during the moon's first quarter above-ground vegetables that reproduce through seeds
external of their fruit. These vegetables include broccoli and lettuce. Plant grains during this
moon phase, too.
2

Plant above-ground crops that have seeds that grow inside their fruit from the start of the moon's
second quarter to the midpoint of the lunar cycle. Include melons, squash, tomatoes and peppers
during this phase to encourage their leaf growth. Plant beans during this moon period.
3

Plant carrots, potatoes, onions and other underground or root vegetables during a full moon.
Transplant, re-pot and prune lightly during this time as well. A full moon is said to encourage
strong, healthy root growth and plant regeneration. Energy and a shift in gravity also are
associated with a full moon.
4

Skip planting or sowing seeds in the fourth quarter of the moon because its waning energy favors
rest. Use this time to do related projects, such as repairing fences, weeding gardens, harvesting
crops and finishing outstanding pruning and transplanting.

New moon
A new moon is not a good time for planting, but just after you see the first crescent you
can begin. During this phase, the lunar gravity pulls water up causing the seeds to swell
and burst. There is a surge of energy through the plants and the sap begins to rise
through the stems. These factors, along with the increasing moonlight, create balanced
root and leaf growth.

This is the best time for planting above ground annual crops that produce their seeds
outside the fruit. Examples are lettuce, spinach, celery, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower,
and grain crops. Cucumbers like this phase also, even though they are an exception to
that rule.

First Quarter
In this phase 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 first quarter are annuals that produce above ground
but form seeds inside the fruit, such as beans, melons, peas, peppers, squash, and
tomatoes. Mow lawns in the first or second quarter to increase growth.

When the moon is waxing towards the first quarter, the light of the moon is increasing
from a new to a full moon. This is the time to plant leafy crops, cereals, grains and other
crops and flowers that produce growth above the ground. You can start to sow seeds,
transplant seedlings and graft plants when the moon is waxing.

When the moon is in the first quarter and is moving towards a full moon you can also
plant ground crops that have inside seeds such as tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers
etc. It is also the time to plant annuals and fragrant flowers such as roses. The last two
days of the first quarter, just before the full moon, is an ideal time for grafting fruit trees.

Full Moon
When the moon is a full moon all plants are at their peak. This is the time to plant crops
and flowers that produce growth below the ground such as root crops, tubers and bulbs.
For flowers, your biennials and perennials can be planted, and the perennials can be
divided now too. Therefore it is time to plant onions, potatoes, carrots, swedes, turnips,
beets, parsnips and radishes.

Towards the end of the waning period, you can plant trees, fruit trees and saplings. Any
spraying of fruit trees should be done during this period of the moon phase. You can
also plant strawberries and their runners out now. If you have any vegetables or fruit that
will have to be stored for a long period of time, such as apples, potatoes, pumpkins etc,
picking them in this phase ensures they won’t rot too quickly.

Over the next two weeks as the moon loses its light, it also loses energy and is waning
to the third quarter. This is the time to harvest your crops. Herbs, especially medicinal
herbs, will be more potent if picked at this time. It’s also a good time to harvest
mushrooms and grapes. And of course it is the time to prune.

Third Quarter
As the moon wanes, the energy is drawing down. The gravitational 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. Pruning is best done in the third quarter.
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The last or fourth quarter is a barren phase for moon gardening. There is decreased
gravitational pull and moonlight so it is considered a resting period. During this time, it’s
prudent to do some tidying up in your garden, pull the weeds, see to the compost heap,
spread the manure and turn over the beds. Now wait for the first crescent of the new
moon to plant new seed. Mow lawns in the third or fourth quarter to retard growth.