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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on May 8, 2015 10:18:46 GMT -5
Has anyone tried, or practiced, lunar gardening? I'm thinking more in terms of the phases of the moon affecting moisture and water movement rather than the planetary alignments.
I recall trying it some many years ago but don't know where my records now are and also don't remember whether it was effective.
Usually my planting schedule is determined by motivation vs. laziness, heat (over 85 degrees is too hot to be digging), anticipated rain/storms, and just when I'm in the mood.
But I still wonder if there's a better and/or more scientific way to plant. Thoughts, experience, anyone?
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Post by brownrexx on May 8, 2015 16:42:08 GMT -5
I read about some of that in the Farmer's Almanac that I got as a gift earlier this year but it's not for me. I can't see any scientific advantage and you know me, I am all about the data.
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Post by desertwoman on May 8, 2015 19:13:01 GMT -5
I tried both lunar and astrological gardening many years ago.
Neither one made any noticeable difference. I need to be able to do what needs to be done, as the spirit moves me. The interesting thing here is that during that time I was tracking lunar cycles and/or planetary positions, I found that I, many times, planted/weeded/watered/harvested in alignment with what was suggested for that day's celestial positions without me having read it. I just intuitively did what was "right" according to their suggestions. But certainly not always.
I need more freedom than adhering to a system. As was discussed in an article on another thread, plants do respond to talking to them. I talk, kiss, pet and praise them.
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Post by James on May 8, 2015 20:36:21 GMT -5
Plants are certainly effected by the sun, clouds, temperature, rain, and soil fertility. But the moon? Forget it!
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Post by tbird on May 8, 2015 21:33:26 GMT -5
you all are such cynics. It might be an influence not yet documented. Nothing can be scientifically verified if no one put the question to rigorous testing.
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Post by desertwoman on May 8, 2015 23:31:26 GMT -5
Actually, tbird, I don't feel I am a cynic at all. I explored with a very open mind and was hoping to see a major difference.
All I can say is that from my personal experiences trying it, I didn't see a difference that would compel me to keep doing it.
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Post by lisaann on May 9, 2015 6:59:42 GMT -5
Seems like every time I have done a major planting this year, it was a full moon.
Maybe the moon is moving ME. I would plant, then come in and write it on the calendar and find out it was a full moon. Odd.
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Post by brownrexx on May 9, 2015 8:08:00 GMT -5
I admit that I don't have a real open mind about stuff like lunar planting. I just don't see how the moon could make any difference. I have nothing to base that on except that it sounds weird to me.
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Post by kimmsr🕊 on May 10, 2015 6:08:57 GMT -5
For many years the scientific community tried to debunk planting by moon signs, just as they tried with companion planting, but some current research is showing that there may be something to that after all. Keep an open mind, and remember that Thomas Jefferson was a firm believer in planting by moon signs.
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Post by tbird on May 10, 2015 9:24:14 GMT -5
I admit that I don't have a real open mind about stuff like lunar planting. I just don't see how the moon could make any difference. I have nothing to base that on except that it sounds weird to me. do you believe that the moon can influence the oceans? My phd program is measurement related, and in retirement, I plan to use my statistical skill in the garden. So - save up the areas of interest. I will experiment!
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on May 10, 2015 9:45:40 GMT -5
Well, this is really interesting. For some reason I expected that many more would have tried and adopted this method, but it doesn't seem so. I think it would make planting more difficult since we couldn't just go out when the mood struck, or when the weather was nice. Admittedly I haven't done much research on this but I suspect that it may have been a guideline years before we had tvs and regular updates on weather conditions, when people planted by "gut instinct" or in the case of this query, by lunar movements. It's hard to remember that there weren't times when we could get up-to-the minute data on weather.
I honestly don't know how effective or not this practice is, and don't have much of an opinion but I appreciate the responses. I might try it, but realistically, I wonder how it could really be measured whether the moon affects planting or not. All other factors would have to be controlled, held constant, or eliminated and that's not possible.
Kimm, I think I'll do some research on Jefferson; he was a noted agricultural specialist (besides a politician!), so I'd be interested in reading more about his perspectives.
Anyway, thanks for the responses and opinions. It's an interesting topic.
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Post by brownrexx on May 11, 2015 9:37:37 GMT -5
do you believe that the moon can influence the oceans?
Of course - the moon causes the tides with it's gravitational pull. I Googled lunar planting and read this but I am still not convinced that changes in gravity plays a significant role in making my seeds germinate or grow. I would need to see some test data before I would believe it.
Not only that - I am obsessive about when to plant, where to plant, how to rotate crops. I don't think that I could stand adding phases of the moon to my planting scheme. I already drive myself crazy with details. I don't quite believe in companion planting either except for things like trap crops and allopathic plants.
www.gardeningbythemoon.com/phases.html
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Post by tbird on May 11, 2015 9:52:43 GMT -5
I don't think that I could stand adding phases of the moon to my planting scheme very true!
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Post by OregonRed on May 11, 2015 10:19:09 GMT -5
<<mood and personal energy that day type of gardener.
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Post by desertwoman on May 11, 2015 10:30:45 GMT -5
Me too, Red.
Unless something is shouting at me like "you need to (prune, plant, weed ) this NOW. Then I obey.
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