"Gardening By The Moon"

Gardening by the moon isn't a new idea. In fact new ideas tend to have driven out the traditional ways of gardening that have been feeding generations before us.


Choosing the right time to plant your vegetables can be tricky, but using the moon as your guide will help solve those problems.


Keep a moon chart with your gardening calendar ( you can download a free garden journal here )

When the Moon is in Aries, Leo or Sagittarius it is a good time for growing tomatoes, French beans, peas, apples and cereals of all kinds (and for maintenance and planting seeds, where appropriate).

When the Moon is in Gemini, Libra or Aquarius it is a good time for cultivating vegetables such as cauliflowers, artichokes and ornamental flowers.

When the Moon is in Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces it is the time to grow salad vegetables, spinach, chard and so on.

When the Moon is in Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn it is an ideal time to concentrate on carrots, potatoes, asparagus, celery, parsnips and other root vegetables.

Sowing: always choose a constellation appropriate to the crop you are sowing (i.e. favourable to fruit, root, flower or leaf plants) and preferably sow in the morning.

Planting and pricking out: choose days when the Moon is descending and also, if possible, when it is opposite a constellation appropriate to the crop that you are growing (i.e. favourable to fruit, root, flower or leaf plants) and preferably in the afternoon.

Weeding In wet weather: if possible, weed in the morning in a Fire or Air sign when the Moon is waning.

In dry weather: weed in the evening, if possible, and in an Earth or Water sign when the Moon is waxing.

Watering: To avoid plants developing shallow roots, instead of watering little and often, water them generously but less frequently.

The ideal time to water is when the Moon is in the descendant and in the constellation of Virgo, Gemini or Libra.

Mulching: mulch helps to fertilize and protect the soil, and limits the evaporation of moisture and weed germination.

It is best to mulch when the Moon is waxing and in an Earth or Air sign.

Aeration of the soil: This should ideally be carried out when the Moon is ascending

Soil decomposes and breaks down more easily (via worms and micro-organisms) when the Moon is descending.

Green Salad:

Until July, sow in a Water constellation when the Moon is waning in order to prevent the plants from going to seed.

During the autumn, sow green salad in a Water constellation, but when the Moon is waxing.

Potatoes:

Plant on a day favourable to ‘root’ plants.

To raise seed potatoes, plant when the Moon is in the sign of Taurus.

To avoid producing Green Potatoes, earth up when the Moon is in an Earth constellation and when it is waning.

To remove the eyes (buds) from potatoes that have been lifted and stored so that they will keep longer, choose a time when the Moon is waning and descending.

Cultivating the Soil:

The work of ploughing, planting, pricking out and spreading compost or manure is best carried out when the Moon is descending.

On light, sandy soil, if possible, combine the descending Moon with the waxing Moon.

On heavy clay soil, if possible, combine the descending Moon with the waning Moon.

For more information about gardening by the moon and a preview of 'In Tune with the Moon' please visit www.findhornpress.com The book is so new it isn't even on the publishers website yet, but get in touch with Findhorn Press and they will let you know how to order it.

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Grow your own organic vegetables by the moon to make the finest meals for your family....

Thompson and Morgan are online worldwide suppliers of seeds and other products and they have some great pictures to drool over!

broad beans brussel sprouts Carrots

Chile Peppers Sweetcorn Tomatoes

Gardening by the moon with Thompson and Morgan Worldwide

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You can find more about growing your own vitamins, keeping healthy and lots of recipe ideas in my recently published book. Grow Your Own Pharmacy You really can grow enough fruit and veg to keep your family glowing with good health!

Happy Gardening!

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