My grandmother always gardened by the cycles of the moon. A very serious gardener, she was adamant about her gardening pursuits as they coincided with each cycle of the moon. She was not alone, the practice of planting in concert with the moons gravitational pull is practiced by lots of folks and I don't doubt that this ancient earth science benefits all gardeners in their day to day activities. So how does this practice work?

It is understood that earth's ocean currents and water levels are highest during the new and full moon and lowest in a moons 3rd and 4th quarter. This influence on water dictates how a seed will absorb moisture or a seedling will grow upwards just as it helps root crops burrow deeper into the soil, aided by lower water levels and the moons lowered gravitational pull. These reoccurring cycles run from 29 to 30 days and is also used to determine the best times to prune, fertilize and harvest crops.

One of the easiest ways to remember the moon cycles is to familiarize yourself with the letters D-O-C. With a new moon the moon is a crescent that is shaped like the curve of the letter D, to the right as you view it. The moon will fill out until it becomes the letter D, all part of the first quarter, a new moon. The second quarter is the filling out of the moon as it becomes full or shaped like the letter O. The second quarter continues until the full moon is passing. The full moon is the strongest period of the moons gravitational pull and it becomes stronger as it becomes full, waning as it passes. It is said that the best time for planting seed is 2 days before a full moon, this lets seeds absorb moisture and then sprout with the strong upward pull. From there we move to the 3rd and 4th quarter whereby the moon becomes a crescent like the letter C. This is the best time for root growth and the best time to transplant seedlings as root growth is encouraged. A moons fourth or last quarter is the best time for pruning since a plants sap or water levels are at their lowest. This is also considered the best time to weed, apply compost and eradicate pests.

The moon also moves through the sky around astrological signs and these too effect plants as these signs are earth, water, air or fire and favor particular types of crops. This is where an almanac comes in handy, isolating the best times to garden within these favorable time slots as they occur with lunar activity. To make things a little more simple I have listed the activities for each lunar quarter below. Our full moons in spring and summer of 2005 fall approximately in the third week of each month.

First Quarter (new to half full);

Lunar gravitational pull is increasing, sow seeds of plants that produce their seeds on the outside (not inclosed in fruit) such as lettuce, broccoli, annuals and herbs. This is also a good time to transplant.

Second Quarter (half full to full, Gibbous);

The ideal time to sow seed as the seeds coat will readily soften as surface water is available from the moons strongest gravitational pull. This is the best time to sow seeds that produce seeds inside a pod or skin such as beans, tomatoes, squash and pumpkins.

Third Quarter (full to half full)

The gravitational pull has subsided. This is the best time to plant root crops such as potatoes, onions, radishes and beets. Also plant perennials, flower bulbs, shrubs and trees to encourage strong roots. A good quarter to transplant seedlings.

Fourth Quarter (half full to new)

The moons gravitational pull is at its lowest. This is considered a resting time (for the moon), best to prune, pull weeds and apply mulch or compost.