Gardening with The Moon
5 steps to creating a sacred lunar garden
The moon is an exciting planetary body because of its rapidly changing cycles (and, of course, it’s poetic beauty). It waxes and wanes and changes zodiac signs about every three days. Farmers and country folk have historically used the cycles of the moon in their practices of planting, harvesting, livestock rearing, and fishing. Luckily, we still have access to this information that many modern people believe to be a wives’ tale. Gardening by the moon can be a fruitful strategy to build an enjoyable plot. The Farmer’s Almanac is a great source for lunar gardening information, as well as seasonal gardening tips and weather predictions. Other sites on astrology, such as CafeAstrology, will give you free in-depth information on the lunar cycles, as well as the zodiac signs and the qualities they present, and how these interact with Earth. One thing I use as inspiration is setting a lunar phase calendar upon my wall. It’s a beautiful piece of art that my friend made, and it keeps me reminded of the phases of the Moon.
I have long been in tune with these lunar cycles in the personal and emotional aspects of my life, but it was not until recently I started applying moon phase science to my gardening plot. It was such a fun project for me, quite a lover of the Moon, that I thought I would share the pleasantries with my readers. Here I have crafted a basic outline on how to create your own lunar garden.
1. Choose your Space
Find an area of your garden or yard that is either already protected from critters or choose an area to fence off from them. It can be any shape or size. It could be a raised bed or a collection of raised beds. It might even be potted plants on your deck. At any rate, wherever you choose should be well protected from critters such as dogs, cats, chickens, or any other livestock. You want to have as much luck with seedlings as possible! I have so far managed to fend off all critters but the squirrel, who spends the next few Autumn months stashing and digging in my beds, planting oaks and sunflowers.
2. Fortify your Soil
Use the best possible soil you can afford for raised beds and pots. Raised beds will usually require a bulk load of soil instead of bags. Research your options and, if you can afford, put the extra money into better quality soil. Make sure that pots have been cleaned before filling. A dip in mild bleach water solution or vinegar solution should do the trick. If the soil is not great in the area you want to plant if planting in the ground, fortify it with organic compost by turning the soil, breaking up clumps while you add the amendment. You can also add an all-purpose organic fertilizer to the turned soil to help with your new seedlings. Weed the entire plot and clean up any debris or trash, animal droppings included (unless you are using manure as an amendment). Let this fortified soil sit for a few days while you plan out your lunar gardening plot’s new residents. Keep it well dampened so soil does not blow away in any gusts.
3. Make a Plan
Time to get your seeds and/or starts if you don’t have any stored or have not already ordered them. Seeds and starts should be ideally carefully chosen for quality, type, and seasonal growth stats. I am starting this with a Fall/Winter garden (I’m in the Northern Hemisphere) so there are many plants that will not grow now as they would have during the Spring planting season. Get your new babies from a reputable seed company or nursery and where possible, purchase organic and local. Pull out a piece of paper and map out your moon garden. This is one of the most enjoyable parts of the endeavor: drawing up your plan. I have a square plot and set my paths to face North/South and East/West like a cross or sunwheel. My four garden beds are smaller squares facing Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast. In my mind, even though the plot is square, the design forms an eight directional wheel. If I could have done a circular plot, I would have, but that was difficult with the fencing and my existing space was already a square. Work with what you have or design a completely new space!
4. Lunar phase Strategies
At this point, it is good to double check where you are in the lunar phase. Get on an astrology site and make sure you are on board with the current sign of the moon, where it is in it’s monthly cycle, and the current sign of the sun. You should also have a good idea of the major quarter days in your hemisphere: Fall equinox, Winter solstice, Spring equinox, and Summer solstice. These are historically very important days for farming folk. As far as lunar phases, a simple rule of thumb is to plant root crops when the moon is from full to waning, and plant above ground crops during the new and waxing time. In addition, pay attention to the astrological sign that the moon is in. Know also that every three days, before the moon changes signs, it is “void”, which means it is in an in-between stage of the sign it was just in and the sign it will go into. This void stage typically lasts about 4 hours. I choose to plant certain plants during different signs of the moon’s position because different astrological symbols represent different traits, as do plants and humans. I haven’t done a ton of research in this but would like to learn more on which plants are attuned to which astrological signs and which elements of earth, air, water, and fire.
5. Garden Time
Spend time in your new garden. It is especially important to pay close attention to the moon and sky while within the sacred space. This strengthens your relationship with the planetary and luminary cycles, nourishing that ancient agricultural connection we all have inside. In whichever light you see the moon, acknowledge and connect with it/him/her, and tend to the tiny new plants that are growing in your plot with grace and care. I like to only enter my moon plot barefoot, carefully treading the pathways between beds, and speaking very quietly to the little ones that will soon be feeding me and mine. I also have a small wood round that I utilize as an alter to burn candles and herbs on while I sit or stand in the plot and connect to moon/earth/human/plant/element energies. Don’t forget to weed and water habitually! Many new seedlings need their beds to be consistently moist for germination, especially carrots.
Enjoy your new lunar garden plot and Blessed be you and yours!
