Lunar Planting Calendar
The planting calendar assigns garden work to the phases of the Moon: on the waxing Moon you plant what grows upward, on the waning Moon what grows into the ground. This is the most enduring part of lunar tradition, and it has a practical kernel.
The Phase Rule
| Phase | What to do |
|---|---|
| New Moon | No work is done; the soil is left to rest |
| Waxing Moon | Sow above-ground crops: leafy greens, cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers |
| Full Moon | Harvest crops, save seeds |
| Waning Moon | Plant root vegetables, divide rhizomes, prune |
In addition, tradition divides days by the Moon's sign into fertile (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces), neutral (Taurus, Libra, Capricorn) and barren (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius). This layer requires ephemerides and is not yet included in our calendar.
What's True Here
Research does not confirm any direct influence of the Moon on seed germination. But the planting calendar has an indirect benefit worth mentioning honestly: it sets a rhythm.
Gardening requires regularity, and a calendar with scheduled days helps you not miss the right time. Plus, the lunar month roughly matches the intervals between feeding and weeding, which is where the feeling that the calendar works comes from.
The real factors in germination are soil temperature, moisture, planting depth and seed quality. Those are what to keep in mind first.
How to Use It
Check the phase in the lunar calendar for the date you need, or open the month-by-month tables. Then follow the rule: grows upward, waxing Moon; grows downward, waning Moon.
If the calendar says a day is unfavorable but the weather is right, plant according to the weather. In gardening, it matters more.