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The Phases of the Moon |
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A complete orbit of the moon around the earth takes about a month, (between 28 days 8 hours, and 29 days 5 hours) but, a billion years ago the moon was much closer to the earth (roughly 200,000 kilometers), and because of its proximity, the tides were much stronger, an orbit took only 20 days, and each day was only about 18 hours long (which may say something about why it wasn't until a few hundred million years later that the first horsetails would give it a try). The gravitational pull exerted by the Moon at different stages of orbit is varied by its relative position to the Sun. Below is a diagram of the relative orbits of the Moon around the Earth and Earth around the Sun (not in any respect, to scale) to illustrate the points at which the tide is highest (Spring Tide) and lowest (Neap Tide).
Every month, the tides rise at Spring Tide because of the combined pull by the Sun and Moon on the Earth. The tide is lowest when the Moon, Earth and Sun form a right-angle, as the Sun's pull offsets the Moon's at this point. Generally, the greater the gravitational pull, the more 'watery' the earth, and better the chance for seedlings to take root and flourish. It is equally advantageous to know when the conditions are dry, however, because these are ideal times for many essential processes, such as harvesting, as grains are far less prone to rot or mold if baled in dry times. It is always important to pay attention to the phase of the Moon when deciding what will be done in the garden. The complete lunar cycle, from New Moon to Full Moon to New Moon again, divides into four quarters beginning with the New Moon, 0 days old, until the last day before the next New Moon (29 to 30 days later). The phases are properly described as New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter, and each quarter can vary from 7 to nine days in length.
Of course, at Full Moon the near side of the moon is completely visible, and the process is reversed, as it enters the stage of Waning Gibbous, where more than half of the Moon's surface is illuminated, but is declining, when it then reaches the Last Quarter, and continues to diminish as it becomes a Waning Crescent, and then not visible, when it becomes New again. Generally, a reliable source will use the terms New, First, Full and Last for the quarter-phases, and it is a good idea to avoid sources that refer to a 'third' quarter (while there isn't really one), for example, as to some it means the Full Moon quarter, while others mean the waning gibbous, seven days later. An easy way to learn to recognise the phase of the Moon by sight is to remember D - O - C, since the waxing Moon's illuminated part looks like a capital D, through the Full Moon's big "O" and on to the Waning Crescent, looking like a "C". Applying this general understanding of the moon and tides is not very difficult; in fact, an awareness of the moon's passage through these phases can provide a wonderful rhythm to one's gardening, because the different phases bring to mind different tasks which can often be otherwise overlooked. Here are the generally-held practices of farmers (and they ought to know): New Moon: Plant all things that bear fruit above ground, and plants that produce their seeds on the outside, such as lettuce, broccoli, and herbs. This is the best time for annual flowers, and an excellent time to begin germination, sow and transplant, as it is considered that what is sown in the New Moon will bear fruit at the Full Moon. First Quarter: Also a good time to plant things that bear fruit above ground, but especially things that set seeds inside a pod or skin (such as beans, tomatoes, squash and cucumbers) which all seem to do best when planted in this quarter. this is also the time for grafting to be done. Full
Moon:
Plant all things that bear fruit below ground (potatoes,
garlic, onions, radishes and beets), harvest above-ground
crops (not root crops), or dig root crops for seed. This is
the time to plant or transplant perennial flowers,
flower Last Quarter: It is generally held that whatever is planted in the last days before the New Moon will never thrive. This is the time reserved for garden cleanup, to pull weeds, destroy pests, turn sod, harvest crops, especially root crops. An excellent time to undertake any task that requires stopping the growth process, such as canning, pickling, cold storing, and cutting timber. Since, in her celestial orbit around the Earth, the Moon passes through the 12 signs of the zodiac, there is an added consideration to be made, as every sign belongs to one of the elements of Earth, Air, Fire or Water, and each of them brings its own characteristic influence on living things. And
that comes |
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bulbs, shrubs and trees, which all seem to favour the the
days following the New Moon to the Waning
Gibbous.