Best Lunar Planting Time for Maters?

[kevinrs]

Probably different people believe it's for different reasons, for me: 1. the brightness of the moon is a small fraction of the brightness of the sun. 2. the small gravitational pull is equally applied to the earth, so that the weight of objects doesn't change due to the lunar cycle. 3. zodiac signs mentioned? water sign good earth sign good, fire sign bad? I see that and ... well ...

I just go by temperature. I would like to find a cheap way to get some kind of logging thermometer setup, that I could put in my garden, and have a record of daily temps there over years. Last year the tomatoes didn't get frozen until well into november, screwed up my plans for a green manure crop completely, and roses around here never really went completely dormant.

[Mischka]

Posted this link recently in another thread - moon planting dates included.

http://www.almanac.com/gardening/pla.../zipcode/02554

[kath]

Originally Posted by husker nana

Kath
Maybe this will help.

http://www.almanac.com/gardening/pla...20Black%20Eddy

I think that it shows somewhere on this site the best times to transplant too.

Hi, husker nana!

Thanks- I've got this bookmarked already. I'm trying to figure out what to do when the information given here conflicts with other lunar calendars/sources. Trying to see if there's a "best" source based on others' actual gardening experience.

Beginning to think there's not much of a consensus.

[kath]

Originally Posted by Mischka

Posted this link recently in another thread - moon planting dates included.

http://www.almanac.com/gardening/pla.../zipcode/02554

Hi, Mischka!

Hmmm...this looks familiar. See above reply to husker nana.

Thanks for helping- think my original question wasn't specific enough because I was looking for the astrological signs' influence as well.

[kath]

Originally Posted by rnewste

kevin,

All I am trying to understand is, is it due to the gravitational pull of the Moon at a certain cycle time, or night-time brightness from the Moon - - - or what?? That is all I am trying to comprehend. Someone, please explain it to me in simple words that I can understand. NOTHING to do with Politics.....

Raybo

First, I just want to say that I don't believe in astrology. Since many farmers have and still do consider that the moon has an influence on the best time for planting and harvesting and since I read things that seem to have some basis in science, I'm trying to find out if there are folks here who have used some system long enough to vouch for its effectiveness and share what it is.

Raybo, I think the beginning of this page answers your question.
http://www.gardeningbythemoon.com/lunarfacts.html.

It just makes sense to me that the gravitational pull of the moon exerts a great influence on the Earth, visible in the tides and even in physiologically in people, so why wouldn't it be possible for plants to be affected as well? Just searching out the wisdom that may have been passed down by observant growers from a simpler time...wish it came without all the new age mumbo jumbo. NOI

[camochef]

Originally Posted by kath

Hi, Camo!

Long time, no talk to!

Thanks very much for your specific synopsis! About April 10th-I thought planting on Sunday was as much of a no-no as planting on a full moon, etc. and April 10th is in the 1st quarter, not the 2nd, which I thought was best for fruits with seeds inside. And the 11th is on the first day of the second quarter, which I also thought was a no-no.

All the rules seem very contradictory and if you try to follow them all, there's no day left to plant that is in a good sign and the right time of the moon, too. So I think my question is, how do you prioritize all these criteria when you have to choose the best of the not ideal days in a given month?

For example, is it better to plant your tomatoes in the 1st quarter when the moon is in Cancer, or in the 2nd quarter when the moon is in Leo, or Virgo?

Have you always planted this way, or have you noticed that in doing this you have better results?

Last year my tomatoes were planted by the moon and I've never had such good plants so I figured I'd do it again. Choosing March 14th was easy and I planted my early maters then...it's when there isn't a day that fits all the rules that I have a problem...and there doesn't seem to be a day in April that fits all the rules.

Sigh...thanks again...it's time for bed,

Kath

Kath,
I think the not planting on Sunday's is more of a left-over from the old blue law days than they are from any astronomical information. Remember when you could hardly buy a thing on Sunday's. Hunting was forbidden, times were different. Better?
Anyway, I was never into following lunar signs until sometime around 2005/2006 when I noticed a close friend around the corner from me always had better produce in his gardens than I had in mine and I started paying more attention.
Not only did he plant by the moon, he transplanted and weeded by the moon also. I decided to try his methods. I saw an enormous improvement in my gardens, and I've continued to garden by the moon ever since.
Initially, I bought 4-5 different almanacs each year and followed the general consenses. This year I only found one in the stores. J. Grubers Garden and Farm Almanac for 2011. It's published in nearby Mercersburg, Pa. and the weather forecasts and astronomical concerns are by a gentleman in Emmitsburg, Md., which is only about 5 miles from my place.
I planted my seeds on the 5th of March this year, the best day by the almanac. Germination for the most part was 3 days...a few were late and took 5 days. Out of a 72 cube tray I hd about a 1/2 dozen that didn't germinate. All from old seed from others. Those that are up are doing well and look very healthy.
Don't over-complicate things, just pick the best days recommended for that month.
I'll continue to plant by the moon as I find the little extra effort seems to make a major difference in the results. For those that don't believe, try a little test and compare the two methods. I think you'll see a difference.
Happy Gardening!
Camo

[kath]

Thanks so much Camo- this is exactly the kind of info I was hoping to find from someone who really has noticed a difference and it's based on the findings and practices of local gardeners/farmers. Interesting that you have so many almanacs locally...never checked any of the local feed stores, but I will next year. The advice not to overcomplicate is well taken.

Hope your plants continue to do well for you!

Kath

[husker nana]

Good Morning Kath
My first year planting by the moon. When I was trying to figure out when to plant I ran accross this on one of the sites. Wish I could remember which site as I e-mailed it to myself so that I wouldn't forget.

Here goes: 11th-12th Seeds Planted Now Tend To Rot In The Ground.

That was for March. I wonder how many on the fence would take the risk if they seen that before planting. Every once in awhile I like to be a risk taker but I did pay close attention to that little tibit!

[kath]

Originally Posted by husker nana

Good Morning Kath
My first year planting by the moon. When I was trying to figure out when to plant I ran accross this on one of the sites. Wish I could remember which site as I e-mailed it to myself so that I wouldn't forget.

Here goes: 11th-12th Seeds Planted Now Tend To Rot In The Ground.

That was for March. I wonder how many on the fence would take the risk if they seen that before planting. Every once in awhile I like to be a risk taker but I did pay close attention to that little tibit!

And a good afternoon to you,

Ya know, looking at the easiest to read calendar that I have, I don't see why, except that the moon was in Gemini and the 12th is the first day of the 2nd quarter. Glad I waited 'til the 14th...they're not up yet but I'm hoping I see a sprout tomorrow.

Any dire warnings for April, or would you not have that info w/o finding the website?

I know that I have to take the advice of some and simplify it-pick a day in March for earlies, pick another day for the lates and go with it. Now I've got to get down to business and decide what's getting planted and what's going to have to wait 'til 2012. That's likely to take quite a while. Then I need to clean the containers, etc. so I'm ready when I finally pick the date.

Thanks! My gardening by the moon when I could last year gave me wonderful results, so I hope you find the same.

[husker nana]

Kath
I typed that those dates and sentence about seeds rotting in the ground.
This is a site that it showed up
http://www.growinginmygarden.com/when-to-plant/

It did give this warning for April:

7th-8th Poor Days For Planting, Seeds Tend To Rot In The Ground.

21st-22nd Barren Days. Do No Planting.

[camochef]

I just checked March; 11, 12, and 13 are the best days for weeding.
In April, the 7,8, and 9 are the best days for weeding. the 20 and 21 for harvesting.
Camo

[kath]

Originally Posted by camochef

I just checked March; 11, 12, and 13 are the best days for weeding.
In April, the 7,8, and 9 are the best days for weeding. the 20 and 21 for harvesting.
Camo

Thanks for the additions, Camo. Noted on the calendar.

Kath

[pocossin]

I have been studying moon signs this weekend and have hit a snag. There are two (or more) sets of moon signs, the astronomical (or actual) sign placement of the moon, which is in the almanacs' calendars, and the astrological sign placement, given in a separate table in The Old Farmer's Almanac. I also have the astrological in a commercial calendar for 2014, but with differences. Apparently a different algorithm was used to pick the moon sign of the day when two signs fall on the same day. The other almanacs I have (Farmer's, Grier's, and Turner's) give only astronomical moon signs. My guess is that most planting by moon signs in the southern U.S. has been done by astronomical moon signs because of the wide distribution of Grier's Almanac. A free almanac, paid for by advertising, used to appear yearly in the mailbox.

[kath]

Originally Posted by pocossin

I have been studying moon signs this weekend and have hit a snag. There are two (or more) sets of moon signs, the astronomical (or actual) sign placement of the moon, which is in the almanacs' calendars, and the astrological sign placement, given in a separate table in The Old Farmer's Almanac. I also have the astrological in a commercial calendar for 2014, but with differences. Apparently a different algorithm was used to pick the moon sign of the day when two signs fall on the same day. The other almanacs I have (Farmer's, Grier's, and Turner's) give only astronomical moon signs. My guess is that most planting by moon signs in the southern U.S. has been done by astronomical moon signs because of the wide distribution of Grier's Almanac. A free almanac, paid for by advertising, used to appear yearly in the mailbox.

I also noticed a lot of conflict in the recommendations from different sources. This year I'll just be planting what I can, when I can and not checking any calendars.

[pocossin]

Originally Posted by kath

I also noticed a lot of conflict in the recommendations from different sources. This year I'll just be planting what I can, when I can and not checking any calendars.

I am going to resolve conflict by going with astronomical sign placement, which I believe to be traditional here. Moon sign rules have an order of precedence. For example, it appears to me that sign symbolism trumps element association. The tomato is the king of the garden as Leo is the king of beasts, and many tomatoes are a fiery red, so Leo should rule tomatoes, although it is considered a barren sign when element is given precedence over sign symbolism. I enjoy the poetry.