HOME > Chowhound > Gardening >


Planting by the moon?

My mother said her grandmother kept the best kitchen garden and always planted by the moon, whatever that means. Venturing onto the web yields mixed results for what it means. I want to try it, so anyone who has with good success, let me know. I did plant my beans and lettuce on the waxing moon and the germination of the lettuce has never gone so well before.

  1. Click to Upload a photo (10 MB limit)
  1. The Old Farmer's Almanac includes planting by the phases of the moon for each month. Never had the discipline to try it myself, and despite ignoring the moon have had good luck in my garden. It might be hard to find a copy now; it's usually published around late fall,early winter for the upcoming year.

      1. The Farmer's Almanac website has planting dates that include schedules for planting by the moon. I tried it this year with some plants when I remembered, so we'll see what happens. I've heard good things, but so far I haven't noticed much of a difference.

        1 Reply
        1. re: agoldman

          I also recommend the Farmer's Almanac (NOT the 'Old Farmer's Almanac' - look for the one published by Geiger Brothers). There's a pretty detailed list of planting dates, etc. by the moon, with the explanation "many people believe they get the best results" following the phases of the moon. There are also tables of the best days to do just about anything, including digging post holes, quitting smoking, baking bread, and castrating farm animals. A very entertaining read, and worth a try! Can't hurt, might help.

        2. There actually is a scientific basis for this. The moon at night reflects a certain wavelength of light that tells seeds to germinate and plants to start opening buds.

          You can get grow lights that emit that wavelength to help with indoor seed starting.

          1 Reply
          1. re: Shazam

            huh, very interesting. Might give this a go, maybe not until next year though.

          2. Or you could read up on 'biodynamics' but that's like a down-the-rabbit-hole approach vs. simply considering moon phase.