Gardening by the Moon isn't just a Phase

[PlumberSoCal]

Does the moon hold sway over our plants? Many believe in this ancient practice and I have no idea but as an outdoor grower I need to know sun up/down times and how much light there will be during the day.

The basic idea behind Gardening by the Moon is that the cycles of the Moon affect plant growth. Just as the Moon’s gravitational pull causes tides to rise and fall, it also affects moisture in the soil.

Therefore, it’s said that seeds will absorb more water during the full Moon and the new Moon, when more moisture is pulled to the soil surface. This causes seeds to swell, resulting in greater germination and better-established plants.

Moon phase gardening takes into account two periods of the lunar cycle: the time between the new Moon and the full Moon (the waxing of the Moon), and the time between the full Moon and the new Moon (the waning of the Moon). It’s considered best to plant certain types of plants during the waning of the Moon and other types during the waxing.

The Moon also impacts plant growth through geotropism—which is how plants grow in response to gravity. Roots grow downward in the direction of gravitational pull and stems grow in the opposite direction (i.e., upwards). This behavior can be easily demonstrated with potted plants. Lay one on its side and the stem will grow upwards. Or, consider a tulip bulb: if you plant the bulb incorrectly with the pointed end down, it will turn around and send its shoots upward, even though it’s in total darkness.

To plant by the Moon, follow these guidelines:

• Plant your annual flowers and fruit and vegetables that bear crops above ground (such as corn, tomatoes, watermelon, and zucchini) during the waxing of the Moon—from the day the Moon is new to the day it is full. As the moonlight increases night by night, plants are encouraged to grow leaves and stems.
• Plant flowering bulbs, biennial and perennial flowers, and vegetables that bear crops below ground (such as onions, carrots, and potatoes) during the waning of the Moon—from the day after it is full to the day before it is new again. As the moonlight decreases night by night, plants are encouraged to grow roots, tubers, and bulbs. ~ Gardening by the Moon

The Winter Solstice was December 21, the shortest day of the year and day length will increase until the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year June 21.

 

[Frimpong]

C'mon .... Spring!! Lol

 

[DopeDaniel]

Many people overlook perigee/apogee and ascending/descending lunar cycles.

 

[Frosty78]

View attachment 99122
Does the moon hold sway over our plants? Many believe in this ancient practice and I have no idea but as an outdoor grower I need to know sun up/down times and how much light there will be during the day.

The basic idea behind Gardening by the Moon is that the cycles of the Moon affect plant growth. Just as the Moon’s gravitational pull causes tides to rise and fall, it also affects moisture in the soil.

Therefore, it’s said that seeds will absorb more water during the full Moon and the new Moon, when more moisture is pulled to the soil surface. This causes seeds to swell, resulting in greater germination and better-established plants.

Moon phase gardening takes into account two periods of the lunar cycle: the time between the new Moon and the full Moon (the waxing of the Moon), and the time between the full Moon and the new Moon (the waning of the Moon). It’s considered best to plant certain types of plants during the waning of the Moon and other types during the waxing.

The Moon also impacts plant growth through geotropism—which is how plants grow in response to gravity. Roots grow downward in the direction of gravitational pull and stems grow in the opposite direction (i.e., upwards). This behavior can be easily demonstrated with potted plants. Lay one on its side and the stem will grow upwards. Or, consider a tulip bulb: if you plant the bulb incorrectly with the pointed end down, it will turn around and send its shoots upward, even though it’s in total darkness.

To plant by the Moon, follow these guidelines:

• Plant your annual flowers and fruit and vegetables that bear crops above ground (such as corn, tomatoes, watermelon, and zucchini) during the waxing of the Moon—from the day the Moon is new to the day it is full. As the moonlight increases night by night, plants are encouraged to grow leaves and stems.
• Plant flowering bulbs, biennial and perennial flowers, and vegetables that bear crops below ground (such as onions, carrots, and potatoes) during the waning of the Moon—from the day after it is full to the day before it is new again. As the moonlight decreases night by night, plants are encouraged to grow roots, tubers, and bulbs. ~ Gardening by the Moon

The Winter Solstice was December 21, the shortest day of the year and day length will increase until the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year June 21.

Great write up, yule is the celebration of the winter Solstice in pagan beliefs. I'm sure the Mayans and incan and many civilizations held similar beliefs. Generally for good reason. Planning and celebration of crop planting/harvest etc. I'm sure there is something to it, I also believe the earth's seasons/ weather gets thrown into disarray from solar flares. The celestial body above is a wonder.

 

[Skunky Dunk Farms]

I follow this line of planting by the moon.
Harvest is also affected as it can extend time to ripen though that is mainly due to the actual light produced during a full moon and has no effect indoors.
The key to it for waxing planting is what we already do to our sprouts indoors by giving 18 to 24 of light at germ, it gives the sprouts additional light for a few days when they first come up. Along with the gravity thing and the roots being pulled out of the bean.

 

[DopeDaniel]

mainly due to the actual light produced during a full moon and has no effect indoors.

Agree to disagree.

The fact the moon is waxing has to do with the relative position of the earth sun and moon in the solar system.

 

[Willie]

C'mon .... Spring!! Lol

Lol......1 cold day so far c'mon spring!

 

[DopeDaniel]

This is just what I have pieced together from variants of lunar gardening.

Above ground crops times of ascending moon, waxing, perigee are benificial.

Below ground crops times of descending moon, waning and apogee are benificial.

If you want to focus on root development use the below ground crop guide regardless of plant type. Vice versa for above ground.

 

[Skunky Dunk Farms]

Agree to disagree.

The fact the moon is waxing has to do with the relative position of the earth sun and moon in the solar system.

I was only refering to the actual light from the moon not reaching indoors, the moon has effect on the growth of the plants/seedlings for sure.

 

[DopeDaniel]

I was only refering to the actual light from the moon not reaching indoors, the moon has effect on the growth of the plants/seedlings for sure.

Agree to agree then.

 

[PlumberSoCal]

I wrote this in hopes of all those who follow gardening by the moon would chime in and more of us would learn about it. You guys didn't disappoint!?

 

[PlumberSoCal]

Many people overlook perigee/apogee and ascending/descending lunar cycles.

Okay, what are perigee/apogee? When looking at day length as I do the first of each month I saw that today, Jan 4 is what is known as Periheion, the earth is closest to the sun.

I've noticed, even with our current cold spell

that when we have clear skies the sun feels very warm and that the temperature rises fast once the sun is rising.

This is a new term to me and I want to learn more, especially about moon cycles and planting and I learn more from my own and others experiences and one of the reasons I'm here.

 

[DopeDaniel]

Perihelion is sun/earth specifically similar to perigee in that it is when the two are closest together.

Perigee / Perihelion - close
Apogee / Aphelion - far

I won't get this right from memory so I will just say the 3 cycles range from 27-29 days. Sometimes they line up - Supermoon (full Lunation and perigee).

Ascendeng/Descending and lunation we can watch perigee/apogee we can too it relates to the size we perceive the moon to be (minus atmospheric distortion).

 

[UncleB]

Supposedly moonlight is colder than no light. Haven't tried this myself, though.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

I follow nothing and hold no beliefs. My scattered and erratic planting behavior can not be patterned. I am bound to no season or cycle.
BUUUUUUTTTT

 

[MO_Grow]

I follow nothing and hold no beliefs. My scattered and erratic planting behavior can not be patterned. I am bound to no season or cycle.
BUUUUUUTTTT

Got damn u Squirrel! I had some good shit to ask and add to this convo... But now I'm just laughing my ass off wondering wtf I just watched?I'll come back later

 

[Buckeyetoker]

Supposedly moonlight is colder than no light. Haven't tried this myself, though.

This is not true. It's an old flat earth trick. Anything under cover or in a shadow from the moon light will be warmer than in the moonlight. This is because the heat radiating from the ground is trapped under cover.

The sun is as much responsible for the tides and gravitational forces as the moon. We have different pulls on the Earth depending on if the moon and sun are 180 degrees in alignment or 90 degrees (Spring and Neap Tides). Tides start around the equator, not at your local beach. We actually rotate into them. The moon no matter if it's full or not it has the same mass which converts to the same gravitational force 24/7(sometimes the moon is closer as is the sun making a difference). The position of the sun relative to the moon is what makes the difference. So....there are times when the Earth is being tugged on more than others which could in theory pull more water to the surface to help germinate seeds. But since I use a cup of water, paper towel to germinate Im not thinking it's gonna help my situation much. If you start seeds straight into your medium then Id think it might help some.

Any other amateur astronomers here?

 

[UncleB]

This is not true. It's an old flat earth trick. Anything under cover or in a shadow from the moon light will be warmer than in the moonlight. This is because the heat radiating from the ground is trapped under cover.

There isn't anything really trapping heat in the video posted. I'm not convinced until I try it myself, though.

 

[Buckeyetoker]

There isn't anything really trapping heat in the video posted. I'm not convinced until I try it myself, though.

Notice it gets warmer at the corner of the box...it's trapping heat which is transferring to the metal.

 

[DopeDaniel]

Physicists crack unsolvable three-body problem using drunkard's walk

It has plagued scientists since the days of Isaac Newton.

www.livescience.com