Aries A fire sign. Barren and dry. Harvest root and fruit for storage. Cultivate, destroy weeds and pests. Taurus An earth sign. Productive and moist. Second best for planting and transplanting. Good for root crops and potatoes, especially when hardiness is important. Also a good sign for leafy vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage and spinach. Gemini An air sign. Barren and dry. Harvest root and fruit for storage. Cultivate, destroy weeds and pests. Melon seeds respond well in this sign. Cancer A water sign. Very fruitful and moist. The best sign for all planting and transplanting. Also good for grafting, and irrigation. Leo A fire sign. Very barren and dry. Cultivate, harvest root and fruit for storage. An excellent time to destroy weeds and pests in the fourth quarter. Virgo An earth sign. Barren and moist. Some flowers and vines are favored by it. Cultivate and destroy weeds and pests. Libra An air signs. Semi-fruitful and moist. Best sign for planting beautiful and fragrant flowers, vines and herbs. Good for planting pulpy stems like kohlrabi, and root crops. Scorpio A water sign. Very fruitful and moist. Best planting sign for sturdy plants and vines. Tomatoes like to be transplanted in , and it is a good sign for corn and squash. Graft or prune in the third and fourth quarter to retard growth and promote better fruit. A good sign for irrigation and transplanting. Sagittarius A fire sign. Barren and dry. Harvest roots and onions for storage, and plant onion sets and fruit trees. A good sign in which to cultivate the soil. Capricorn An earth sign. Productive and dry. Good for planting potatoes and other root crops, and for encouraging strong hardy growth. Good for grafting, and pruning to promote healing, and applying organic fertilizer. Aquarius An air sign. Barren and dry. Harvest root and fruit for storage. Cultivate, destroy weeds and pests. Good for planting onion sets. Pisces A water sign. Very productive and moist. Second best sign for planting and transplanting. Especially good for root growth and irrigation. Increasing Light - New moon to full moon Examples of garden chores to do by the light of the moon: (NOTE: These are general guidelines.) - Repot and groom houseplants - Sow seeds of plants that grow above ground - Fertilize - Graft fruit trees - Plant evergreen and deciduous trees - Prune shrubs for increased growth - Sow awns, put down sod & plant wheat and grains - Sow leafy vegetables & flowers, which produce yield above ground and do not rely on extensive root development - Plant flowers grown for beauty or fragrance in the first quarter - Plant cane, such as raspberries, blackberries and gooseberries, in the second quarter - Always plant roses in the first or second quarter - During a period of drought, sow seeds when the moon is waxing, as close to the full moon as possible. - Perform any grafting chores. When grafting fruit or flower trees, a well-aspected Saturn will aid hardy plant growth and insure that the graft lasts successfully for many seasons. Cut grafts in late January, before the sap flows, in the first or second quarter - Transplant and repot houseplants - Take cuttings from plants you wish to propagate in the first or second quarter. Once the cuttings are rooted, pot in the first or second quarter - Water plants. If plants need a food boost, it is a good idea to water down the fertilizer and add it to the soil as close to the full moon as possible, particularly if the plants require phosphorus. - Pick fruits and vegetables intended for immediate consumption. Salads are best when made with ingredients picked during a waxing moon. Because the water content of the ingredients is higher, salads are crunchier, juicier and free from woody, unpleasant textures. - Harvest grapes to be used in winemaking as close to the full moon as possible. The grapes will retain more juice and bouquet. - Gather herbs that are to be used for their essential oils. Oil content is more concentrated at this time. - Water your compost heap. Decreasing Light - Full moon to new moon Examples of garden chores to do by the dark of the moon: (NOTE: These are general guidelines.) - Plant bulbs - Plant root crops (i.e. potatoes, carrots) - Plant biennials and perennials for strong roots - Eliminate slugs - Prune shrubs for decreased growth - Plant strawberries or their runners in the third quarter of the moon - Divide your perennials in the third or fourth quarter - If your crops require potassium, fertilize at the waning moon. Potassium absorption is at its peak at the new moon. - Start your compost heap during the waning moon. This phase aids in decomposition of plant matter. - Spread and turn compost and organic fertilizer - Mulch in the third quarter. When mulching fruit trees or roses, leave a small space around the trunk or base of the plant. - Always spray fruit trees in the fourth quarter of the waning moon - Kill weeds and thin out plants - Mow your lawn in the waning moon to retard growth - Harvest crops requiring long-term storage like apples, cabbage and potatoes - Harvest flowers and seeds that will be stored until the next year - Use the waning moon to help cut spring grass. This phase discourages growth and keeps your lawn under control. - The waning moon is a good time to dig herb roots or harvest leaves and bark intended to be used in medicinal teas. Herbs will retain maximum potency at this time and dry more easily. - Perform all drying activities. Dry herbs, flowers and fruit.
Seedlings absorb more water at the full moon than at the new moon. Plants appear to have less water content at the new moon phase which lends credibility to harvesting certain crops at full moon and others by the new moon. The position of Saturn in relationship to the moon has traditionally been considered when planting crops intended to last more than one season. Perennials need to be hardy and long-lasting. A sympathetic Saturn encourages these factors in new plants. Sextile (60 degrees apart) and trine (120 degrees apart) are harmonious. Conjunction ( 9 degrees of each other), square (90 degrees apart) and opposition (180 degrees apart) are considered unsympathetic positions for a moon and Saturn placement. The lunar calendar indicates the aspects of Saturn and the moon. |