For ancient farmers, the position of the moon was an important consideration in planting and harvesting. The Polynesians who settled in Hawaii were very conscious of lunar positioning in planning the best days for planting and fishing. Cultures around the world found that considering the moon’s position could make a difference in the success of agricultural, fishing and hunting ventures.
For ancient farmers, the position of the moon was an important consideration in planting and harvesting. The Polynesians who settled in Hawaii were very conscious of lunar positioning in planning the best days for planting and fishing. Cultures around the world found that considering the moon’s position could make a difference in the success of agricultural, fishing and hunting ventures.
Today, many farmers, especially those practicing organic or biodynamic techniques, consult lunar calendars as they work their land. Modern home gardeners may also seek advice from lunar planting guides on the best times to plant, transplant, till, harvest and practice pest control.
If you consult a European astrological calendar, the recommended days for certain agricultural activities are based on the phases of the moon, as well as the signs of the zodiac through which the moon is moving.
These calendars advise planting, grafting or transplanting annuals bearing above-ground crops or flowers during the moon’s first and second quarters. These occur after the new moon when moonlight is increasing, or waxing.
The third and fourth quarters follow the full moon. During this time, the moon is waning, or decreasing, in visible size and light. The third quarter is recommended for pruning or planting bulb and root crops. It is also a good time to plant biennials and perennials. Plants that survive more than one season need strong root systems, which the waning moon can help. The fourth quarter is considered to be a good time for tilling, cultivating and harvesting, as well as an ideal time to eliminate weeds and pests.
Simply put, the time of the waxing moon is the best time to make new beginnings, while the best time to bring affairs together or to a close is during the waning period. According to this principle, you may be able to stimulate your lawn’s growth by mowing when the moon is waxing, during the first and second quarters and retard its growth by mowing during the waning moon. Try it and see.
If you want to consider the moon’s location in the zodiac when planning your gardening practices, you’ll need to know that the optimum planting time occurs when the moon goes through the fertile, water signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. When the moon passes through Capricorn, Taurus and Libra, it is also a good time to plant. Taurus and Capricorn plantings are reported to be strong and hardy. Flowering plants seem to do best when planted when the moon is in Libra, which is ruled by Venus, the goddess and planet of beauty. Planting in Libra encourages beautiful, fragrant flowers. The least productive signs for planting include Aries, Gemini, Leo, Virgo, Sagittarius and Aquarius.
Paying attention to the lunar cycles and their effects on your plants can help you get in touch with the natural cycles in your area as a way to improve the health and productivity of your garden. You may find observing these cycles will be interesting and may help you improve plant growth and production.
If you don’t have an astrological calendar, lunar gardening advice for May is that optimal dates for planting above ground plants and annuals are 23, 24 and 25, with May 30 and 31 being good days. For root crops and perennials, the best planting dates are today and May 13 through 15. Additional good dates are today, Wednesday, Thursday and May 18, 19 and 20. Try mowing your lawn before the new moon on May 20 and see if its regrowth is slower than usual. After May 20, you may notice that mowing encourages more vigorous growth.
Ancient Hawaiians followed lunar fishing and planting calendars religiously. Though they have some different advice than European astrological calendars, Hawaiians experienced excellent farming and fishing based on them. They are available as posters from the Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club at pkhcc.com/calendar_moon.html. Next year’s calendar can be ordered in September.
European astrological calendars are available at local bookstores and online. Most include agricultural recommendations based on the moon’s cycles and position in the zodiac.
Start paying attention to the moon and you may find that gardening according to the recommended phases and signs will improve the health of your plants.
Tropical
gardening helpline
Doreen asks: I want to plant a sound barrier along the edges of my property to keep out the noise from my neighbors, as well as the road. Any suggestions for plants?
Answer: Plants can help reduce noise but they may not be able totally to block the sound from your neighbors or the road. You could try planting a double hedge with a tall plant like panax, privet, areca palm or mock orange behind a shorter shrub like ilima, oleander, naupaka or hibiscus. You might also want to consider growing edibles like poha, Surinam cherry, Natal plum or asparagus as hedging material. Double hedges can be attractive and useful to help block sound.
Bamboo and bananas also work well to block sound from your property. Bananas are about 90 percent water, making them a good choice for sound blockage. Planting a row of bananas is like installing a wall of water. When kept trimmed, they can be attractive and provide food. Bananas will grow from a keiki to mature fruiting plant in less than a year. Once the tree produces fruit, it should be removed. Usually a young plant will have already started growing from the mother’s roots and your banana hedge will continue renewing itself.
Email plant questions to konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu for answers by certified master gardeners. Some questions will be chosen for inclusion in this column.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant with an organic farm in Captain Cook.