Do Plant By The Moon

No, I don’t mean that you have to work into the night to have a successful garden. I should have said, “Plant by the phases/cycles of the Moon”. Planting by Moon phases has been an established practice for hundreds of years. Chances are there is something to it. I really don’t know the science behind “Moon planting,” but I can tell you the theory.
There are vegetables that produce crops (the edible portion) above ground. These include anything you harvest without digging – tomatoes, peppers, okra, beans, etc. The theory is that these crops should be planted during the light (waxing) of the Moon, that is from the day that the Moon turns new until it becomes full. Flowers planted from seeds fall into this category. A good way to remember this theory is to think, “the vegetables that receive light should be planted by the light of the Moon (new to full).”
The vegetables that are produced under ground and therefore do not receive sunlight on their surface should be planted during the dark of the Moon, that is, right after the full Moon until the day before the new Moon. This is also called the waning Moon. Flowers planted as bulbs fall into this planting cycle. Remember, it’s dark underground and these crops should be planted during the dark of the Moon (full to new).
You’ll need to consult your calendar to determine the Moon favorable phases. You’ll notice that you have about a two-week window with which to work during each phase or cycle. Watch weather reports to determine the most ideal planting conditions for your window of opportunity. You don’t want to plant if the conditions are poor (cold temperatures, wet soil or a prediction of a late frost). An Old Farmer’s Almanac may even provide the ideal planting days for each garden crop.
I mark these ideal planting times on my planner, but if the conditions are right, I plant. I make an effort to plant by the Moon, but go with gut feeling most of the time. I’m just throwing this out as an established practice. I think that it is such an established tradition that I use it if I feel that it is feasible to fall within the two-week window. Get an opinion from the “old folks” who have been successful gardeners.
As a side note, some old timers say that there is even an ideal Moon phase to set fence posts. Consider carefully what some say about crazy activities and more babies being conceived during the full Moon phase. I’d say by the time the Moon is visible, it is time to relax for the night. A little at a time gets the job done!