I forgot about the moon!

Today I received a great email from an old friend (well, she´s not old, but it´s been a good few years that we´ve known each other) who has been missioning around SA working on organic farms and learning all about permaculture and living in harmony with the earth.

Our emails are always looong and full of exciting news about getting out of the rat-race and getting back to doing what humans were always meant to do - live consciously and harmoniously with the plants, insects and animals to which, if we´re perfectly honest, we owe our lives.

Amidst loads of helpful tips and advice about organic farming, she reminded me of an important factor that keeps appearing in the back of my mind, but seems to slip away whenever I get down to doing some research - planting with the phases of the moon!

Now, many people may be a bit sceptical about the importance of the moon and the associated astrological implications, but there is actually a science to it.

Basically, plants (being full of water) react to the gravitational pull of the moon, just as the sea´s tides do, and grow differently during each moon phase because of the amount of water that is being pulled up through the earth. This effects not only when we should plant but also when we should harvest. Goodness, so much to know about plants!

Ok, so here are a few things I´ve just read:

• The new moon ushers in the best time for good leaf and root growth, especially for those plants that produce their seeds above the ground (cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, celery, etc) - so, plant these during the first and second quarters of the moon.


• The second quarter of the moon is also a good time for growing plants whose seeds grow inside the plant (peppers, tomatoes, beans, peas, squash) - and if you want your lawn to grow well, this is apparently a good time to mow it (who knew!)


• When it´s full moon, the ground contains the greatest amount of water - when seeds absorb the most water.


• After the full moon, along with the high water content in the soil, comes a period during which roots start to grow a lot more, so it´s a good time to grow root veges like peanuts, potatoes, carrots, onions, etc.


• It´s apparently also a good idea to grow perrenials (the long-lasting plants, as opposed to the annuals that bare fruit and then die *sniff* every year) and for transplanting plants.


• During the third quarter the water content in plants is a lot less, so it is a good time to prune plants and harvest your veges


• If you´d like your lawn to stay mowed for longer, mow it during the moon´s fourth quarter.

Ok, that´s all I´ve got time for today on that subject. I´ll list a few relevant sites soon, which will give a lot more details on the above bits of info - even the zodiac is meant to play a part in plants´ growth!