Planting with the Moon

I read this today, is there any scientific basis for it?

"The best time to plant flowers and vegetables that bear crops above ground is during the light of the Moon; that is, from the day the Moon is new to the day it is full. Flowering bulbs and vegetables that bear crops below ground should be planted during the dark of the Moon; that is, from the day after it is full to the day before it is new again."

 

Here's a link (USA site so crops may be different etc.)

http://www.farmersalmanac.com/home_garden/gardening

 

Hmmm .. still thinking about this! I wonder if this is how we come by "Plant XXX at Easter" - I've always thought that was nuts because the date of Easter can vary 4 weeks - but it would always be the same phase of the moon, so maybe more method than madness?

 

Kristen - there could be something in it. I think there is a shortage of good experimental evidence. However I bought John Harris's book for my sister, who was interested. I did try to read the book but it was very longwinded and all to do with growing veg - which I don't do. John Harris and his garden has appeared on Television, and there is no question that he is is a very good gardener.

As a scientist, I really can't see any satisfactory explanation for it, but I will keep an open mind until someone tests it scientifically. However I did look at your link, and when someone says seeds planted on 25/26 May will rot but will be fine on 27/28 May I am inclined to put that in the same classification as Astrology - ie not to be taken seriously. And I doubt if John Harrison would suggest that you could be that precise.

This is an article on John Harris - one of the main supporters. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/gqt/lunar.shtml

 

I have read about this on and off over the years too, there is a long history of humans using lunar cycles over thousands of years, for a great range of different things, long before we had calenders on the wall and they also used astronomy ( not the Russell Grant/Mystic Meg astrology lol).


Although claiming success or failure with just a couple of days difference between plantings and sowings is perhaps taking it a little too seriously.


There are lots of things in life that seem to correlate with a lunar cycle. I'm inclined to say the human race has forgotten a great deal and I think there seems to be something in it.

 

Yeah, I struggle with that too.

Feng Shui man told me my front door was in the wrong quadrant. Turned out I had to have it realigned by about 1 degree for it to be "right". I just walked through it at a slight angle instead ... :lollol: