One of the suggestions in Linda Woodrow's book is to use the phases of the moon to organise and optimise planting. Up until now my planting has been completely random, usually just when I have time or remember to plant things. I never took much notice of moon planting in the past, but now that a few people have said that it does work, I think its worth a try. I don't think I'll be able to follow the moon planting calendar absolutely, but its probably worth being aware of it and trying to match my planting to optimal times where possible.
I had a look on the internet for more advice and found some good sites that explain how to use moon planting (especially this one) and plenty of calendars that I could buy. I don't want to have to buy a new calendar every year, so I decided to make my own based on moon phase data for Australia and the explanation of when to plant what on that website. I've come up with a simple spreadsheet to help me work out when to plant, you can download it from my google documents here. If you are gardening in another country, you will have to look up the moon phases and equinox/solstice for your part of the world.
Now my friend at work says I should really be using the astrological calendar and take into account the movements of all the planets (for example). That is a very restrictive calendar with lots of days when you can't plant. I need to start with something simple, and for that the moon phases will do for now. My friend also admits that she doesn't actually follow it herself, although she has bought the calendar and is going to show it to me so that I can overwhelmed with its complicated-ness!
I'm going to give it a go this year (my planting year starts in spring, my financial year starts in July and my calendar year starts in January, if you can follow that!), what about you? Do you use moon planting already? Will you try it too?
I had a look on the internet for more advice and found some good sites that explain how to use moon planting (especially this one) and plenty of calendars that I could buy. I don't want to have to buy a new calendar every year, so I decided to make my own based on moon phase data for Australia and the explanation of when to plant what on that website. I've come up with a simple spreadsheet to help me work out when to plant, you can download it from my google documents here. If you are gardening in another country, you will have to look up the moon phases and equinox/solstice for your part of the world.
Now my friend at work says I should really be using the astrological calendar and take into account the movements of all the planets (for example). That is a very restrictive calendar with lots of days when you can't plant. I need to start with something simple, and for that the moon phases will do for now. My friend also admits that she doesn't actually follow it herself, although she has bought the calendar and is going to show it to me so that I can overwhelmed with its complicated-ness!
I'm going to give it a go this year (my planting year starts in spring, my financial year starts in July and my calendar year starts in January, if you can follow that!), what about you? Do you use moon planting already? Will you try it too?
I won a copy of Lyn Bagnall's Easy Organic Gardening & Planting by the Moon (oh, which I now see is the link I clicked on to follow!) I find it interesting, but like you, I need to plant when I have time, and also, I haven't had time to explore the concept further. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Liz
ReplyDeleteI looked into this I think sometime last year and got lost in the complexity of it all.
Then my DS and DDIL got us a subscription to better homes and gardens and they have a section devoted to this. OK if you get the mag.
So in the end I just follow Linda's blog and she posts when its time to plant what. Anyway this is working for me so far.... :)
My father in law swears by moon planting. I haven't tried it yet but plan on it this year!
ReplyDeleteWell thank you. Now I can see when I will plant out my tomatoes! I've been meaning to look into moon calendar gardening for about five years and still haven't got around to it. Now, I know you're new to it but do you think the different states vary? And do you plant the seeds, or the seedlings on these dates? It's all these questions that have stopped me looking into moon planting further!
ReplyDeleteI've heard of this before as well though have never tried it. There might be something to it but then again it might just be the precise calender keeping that makes the difference. I'm a bit like you and once the season starts I begin sowing seeds when I have the time.
ReplyDeleteDo let us know what you think of the method at the end of the season this year!
well I made a start by planting seeds at the right time, but after that, things get transplanted when they're ready! Its interesting to be aware of it anyway. Funny how many people do think it works.
ReplyDeleteTo answer Linda's questions...
From what I can work out, during the “leafy” time, for example, you do all work concerning your leafy plants, including planting the seeds, transplanting seedlings, pruning, harvesting (although I think harvesting time is more impt for the root crops) etc. During the other times you would do nothing with the leafy plants unless you absolutely have to. During the “no planting” you do weeding, mulching and tidying jobs. My only problem is timing things so that my seedlings are ready (and not too ready) to be transplanted at the right time, after I planted the seeds at the right time!
It is an interesting experiment anyway, gives me a bit more urgency, instead of thinking I should get to planting those carrots soon, I see that its nearly root time, and I’d better be ready! Also stops me trying to do EVERYTHING at once, because its not the right time!
Let me know if you try it yourself...