Some people have green fingers -ie. Everything they plant seems to flourish. On the other hand, some people always try hard to do the right. thing yet, they continually replace dead plants.
But the people in the second category need not despair. Let the moon be their guide and I am certain that they will turn failure and disappointment into success and reap the benefits of a lush and prolific garden.
The Chinese have been using the aforesaid moon magic for thousands of years and they certainly know how to produce abundant crops of delicious vegetables and beautiful flowers.
Every plant has an affinity with the two main cycles of Nature. They are the solar cycle which determines the seasons and the lunar cycle which determines the seasons and has an extremely important influence on all the process of germination, growth and development of all plants.
We must choose the correct phase of the moon and for the best results, plant when the moon is in a sign which is favorable for sowing and planting. The 12 signs of the Zodiac are divided into four groups:
Fire : Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Air : Libra, Aquarius, Gemini
Water : Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Earth : Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo
Each Zodiac Sign has a quality distinctly its own and for gardening, they are also divided into four groups:
1. Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are very fertile, therefore abundantly fruitful.
2. Capricorn, Taurus and Libra are Semi-fertile, reasonably productive.
3. Sagittarius, Aquarius and Aries are all semi-barren.
4. Gemini, Leo, Virgo are very barren.
It is equally important to choose the correct phase of the Moon for various activities in one’s field or garden. The time of New Moon is the start of its waxing cycle which continues for about 15 days during which the Moon appears to grow bigger and brighter -culminating at the time of Full Moon. This waxing cycle of the Moon is the only time you should plant any thing- except all the root vegetables.
This potential for success also is considerably magnified if you plant and transplant when the moon is in Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces while it is waxing. You will also have good results with the Moon’s position in Capricorn, Taurus or Libra but avoid all the other sign- Sagittarius, Aquarius, Aries, Gemini, Leo and Virgo- because for the purposes of gardening, they are just too barren and unproductive.
After the day of Full Moon, the two week waning cycle begins, during which the Moon gradually appears to decrease and grow darker before finally vanishing into the dazzling rays of the Sun. The first week of the Moon’s waning cycle is the best time for planting those vegetables which produce their crops below the ground -such as carrots, potatoes, bitterroot, radish and turnips. The edible part of these vegetables, hidden beneath the earth, develops very well when the seeds are planted in the dark of the Moon. On the other hand, if they are sown during the waxing Moon, they produce a lot of foliage above ground, to the detriment of the edible tubers.
The Moon completely fades during the last week of the waning cycle and this is not a favorable time for planting anything. However the symbolism of this dying Moon indicates the best time to destroy pests, weeds, fungus etc and prepare soil beds for planting. If one can find a time when this dying Moon is in one of the barren signs- Gemini, Leo or Virgo -one has the best combination for getting rid of weeds and pests because their chances of survival and revival will be minimal.
Some readers may like to try an experiment to test the validity of the Moon’s aforesaid influence. You will need a packet of the seeds of your choice, preferably flowers or a vegetable which produces its crop above the ground. Whichever you choose, make sure it is suitable at the time you intend to carry out the experiment.
Divide the packet of seeds into 4 equal parts, so that you can plant them at the following times:
1. The waxing Moon in water signs Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio.
2. Waxing in Gemini, Leo or Virgo.
3. The waning Moon in Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio.
4. Waning in Gemini, Leo or Virgo.
Give the same amount of water and sunlight and then compare each one for germination. When the seedlings are ready, transplant them into your garden or field, taking care that they all have equal advantage as far as soil composition, watering and sunlight are concerned. As they will grow, you’ll see a living example of the Moon’s magic. The difference between the strong, luxuriant plants from box number one and the week, spindly ones from box number four will surprise you, especially when it is remembered that all the seeds came from the same packet and shared the same conditions.
There is nothing more rewarding than beautiful flowers in your garden and delicious, homegrown vegetables so enjoy both and let the Moon work a little of its magic for you.
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