Garden Plans and Moon Planting

 

Moon planters believe that the same gravitational force that affects the tides cause above ground crops to leap right out of the earth. And when on the wane with only a light pull and earth’s gravity the stronger, root crops dig deep in the ground.

As you look over your seed catalogs and begin planning your gardening season, check out moon planting and consider putting in a few plants to test if the lunar cycle affects their growth.

February’s full Snow Moon will appear on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. The February full moon is called the Snow Moon as February usually has the heaviest snowfall. Although Feb 16, according to the AstroSeek  lunar planting calendar, is a rest day, the following five days are for planting below ground root plants; however, maybe not in our Zone 6.

Look for the five days after the March 18 Worm Moon to plant beets, broccoli, cauliflower, and leafy greens. This is called the Worm Moon as it is near the beginning of spring and softer ground brings earthworms up and robins out.

Root Vegetables
(Photo: Alex Lomas, CC BY 2.0)

What About Moon Gardening and Planting?

Pick anytime through history and somebody is trying to figure out how the moon affects our planet. While some scoff at the idea and call it folklore, others swear by it and others say “why not?” I am nevertheless wary of anyone who cites their “grandpap” as an authority.

Cheri Melton, a Cochise County,  Arizona, Master Gardener, uses this method but provides no scientific back-up for the claims; however, she notes that it does add a rhythm to planting cycles and helps her pace her gardening.

Even further into astrological affects, some believe that the zodiac signs present when crops are planted can increase growth and production. There are air, water, fire, and earth signs, each with plus and minus properties.

Whether you believe the moon affects plant growth or not, it's still an interesting idea and helps promote annual almanac sales. Almanacs which, by the way, predict a “winter whopper” near the end of February this year.

(Because of the need for truth in media, please note that several extensive research reviews show no basis for the moon to impact plant growth.)

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FULL WORM MOON March 28, 2021

 

Illustration courtesy of The Old Farmers Almanac

The March 28 full moon is the WORM Moon. The Worm Moon is considered the last full moon of winter and is named after earthworm casts that appear as the ground thaws, NASA reported. It also signifies the time of year when earthworms and grubs come out of dormancy.

Here's some worm trivia from the University of Illinois Extension

* There are approximately 2,700 different kinds of earthworms.

One of these is an aggressive Asian earthworm is negatively impacting our gardens and ecosystem. They are JUMPING WORMS. Find out how to recognize this invasive species and help limit its spread at this Penn State link.  

* A worm has no arms, legs or eyes. Even though worms don’t have eyes, they can sense light, especially at their anterior (front end). They move away from light and will become paralyzed if exposed to light for too long (approximately one hour).

* Baby worms are not born. They hatch from cocoons smaller than a grain of rice.

* If a worm’s skin dries out, it will die.

* Worms are hermaphrodites. Each worm has both male and female organs.

* Worms mate by joining their clitella (swollen area near the head of a mature worm) and exchanging sperm. Then each worm forms an egg capsule in its clitellum.

* Worms can eat their weight each day.

* In one acre of land, there can be more than a million earthworms.

* The Australian Gippsland Earthworm grows to 12 feet long and can weigh 1-1/2 pounds.

Photo courtesy abc.net.au

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By the Light of the Silvery Moon/Lunar Planting

Here’s a personal post from my NOTES on February 17, 2014. There was snow on the ground. In 2021, the Snow Moon will appear on February 27.

[Interested in Lunar Planting and interesting facts about the named Full Moons? Sign up with email on the right menu to receive early  notifications of upcoming posts about the Worm Moon and Lunar Planting.]

Doing the before-bed things and wandering through the house with the last of my decaf Earl Grey tea - goodnight closed garage door, goodnight boots by the door - I headed back to the dining room thinking I had left the light on. I flicked the switch and the room got brighter. Off again and I looked up at the bright skylights.

Over to the window. "The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below." What a sight! Bright moon. Clear sky. Pale blue snow with dark ink tree shapes falling in long shadows.

The full moon fell on Valentine's Day but it was still big and bright Sunday night. 

The February full moon is called the Snow Moon as February usually has the heaviest snowfall. Okay, that fits. Looking forward, March's full moon, on the 16th (March 28, 2021) is called the Worm Moon as the beginning of spring and softer ground brings earthworms up and robins out.

What About Lunar Gardening and Planting?

Pick anytime through history and somebody is trying to figure out how the moon affects our planet. While some scoff at the idea and call it folklore, others swear by it and others say “why not?” I am nevertheless wary of anyone who cites their “grandpap” as an authority.

Moon planters believe that the same gravitational force that affects the tides cause above ground crops to leap right out of the earth. And when on the wane with only a light pull and earth’s gravity the stronger, root crops dig deep in the ground.

Cheri Melton, a Cochise County Master Gardener, uses this method but provides no scientific back-up for the claims; however, she notes that it does add a rhythm to planting cycles and helps her pace her gardening.

Even further into astrological affects, some believe that the zodiac signs present when crops are planted can increase growth and production. There are air, water, fire and earth signs, each with plus and minus properties.

Whether you believe the moon affects plant growth or not, it's still an interesting idea and helps promote the annual almanac sales. Almanacs which, by the way, predicted heavy snow this February  (2014).The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts NO SNOW for February 2021. HA HA. 

~ Carol Kagan

More information at the following links:

Cochise County Master Gardeners, Arizona: Gardening and Farming by the Moon  

Cochise County Master Gardeners, Arizona: Lunar Gardening Exploring the Zodiac Signs

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Are you interested herbs? Check out the Herb Sampler on this Blog  

The Second Edition Herb Sampler (2019) is available through Amazon.