Getting Those Herbs Gardens Ready, How About Planting By The Moon

A lot of gardeners, even those who aren’t witches, plant and harvest by the phases of the Moon. You can still find old almanacs that list what to plant and when in line with astrological timings. Think how much the Moon affects the sea and her tides, so it must affect the earth and how things grow too.

A Waxing Moon is good for planting. Fruit ready for eating straight away should be picked on a Waxing Moon; a Waning Moon is good for planting plants that fruit below ground such as potatoes. A Waning Moon is also good for pruning, weeding and harvesting food to be stored.

Just after a New Moon plant leafy vegetables and herb seeds.

Waxing Moon gardening activities include potting cuttings, re-pottting house plants and picking herbs, fruit and vegetables for eating straight away.

On a Full Moon plant vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and onions (any type of ‘watery’ vegetables and fruit). Fertilise your plants on a Full Moon too.
Just after Full Moon plant tuber vegetables such as carrots and potatoes, also biennials and perennials.

On a waning Moon start a compost heap, weed, cut and prune, pick fruits and flowers, herbs and vegetables that will be stored.

Close to the Dark Moon cut timber and spray any fruit trees (preferably with eco friendly spray).

Then you have the categories for the astrological signs; a list of each type of energy is show below, either barren, productive, semi-fruitful or fruitful:

Moon in Aries: Barren
Moon in Taurus: Productive
Moon in Gemini: Barren
Moon in Cancer: Fruitful
Moon in Leo: Barren
Moon in Virgo: Barren
Moon in Libra: Semi fruitful
Moon in Scorpio: Fruitful
Moon in Sagittarius: Barren
Moon in Capricorn: Productive
Moon in Aquarius: Barren
Moon in Pisces: Fruitful

Another useful guide is:

Above Soil-Level Plants: These are the plants that will produce crops above the ground; these should be sown the day after the New Moon up until the first quarter, preferably in a fertile or semi-fertile astrological sign.

Annuals: Plant the day after the New Moon up until the day before the first quarter, preferably in a fertile or semi-fertile astrological sign.

Below Soil-Level Plants: These are the plants that crop under the ground. These should be planted during the day after the Full Moon, preferably in a fertile or semi-fertile astrological sign.

Biennials and Perennials: This category includes shrubs and trees. Begin planting the day after the Full Moon and up to the day before the last quarter preferably in a fertile or semi-fertile astrological sign.

Seed Collection: This is best done at the Full Moon when the Moon is in a fire or air astrological sign such as Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Libra, Gemini or Aquarius.

Harvesting: Picking fresh flowers and smaller harvests for magical use straight away, can be done in the early evening. If you want to dry and store the flowers and herbs, cut them mid morning, after the dew has evaporated. Fruit and vegetables are best harvested during the Waning Moon and when the Moon is in a barren or semi-barren fire or air sign such as Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Libra, Gemini or Aquarius.

Pagan Portals – Moon Magic
Rachel Patterson