Gardening by the Moon

As witches, we know that each phase of the Moon is a good time for certain things.

It’s the time of year when there’s still a foot of snow covering the ground and gardeners are fantasizing about planting. So it’s a good time to think about how the Moon can guide us in gardening. I’m not an astrologer, but I’ve found that my gardens thrive if I pay attention to the phase of the Moon and the sign that it’s in. I use the waning Moon as planning time, and the waxing Moon as planting time.

• Waxing Moon in an Earth sign is a great time to prepare your garden’s soil.
• Pretty much anything will grow if it’s planted or transplanted when the waxing Moon is in Cancer or other Water sign.
• Root vegetables will do well if they’re planted when the waxing Moon is in an Earth sign. This is also a good time for transplanting.
• Things with feathery foliage (such as dill) do all right if they’re planted when the waxing Moon is in an Air sign.
• Don’t plant while the Moon is in a Fire sign unless you want to establish yourself as a person who can kill any plant.
• Waning Moon is a great time to weed, especially when it’s in a Fire sign.

My favorite resource for knowing what’s up with the Moon is the Lunar Calendar from Luna Press, www.thelunapress.com.