At the
new moon, the lunar gravity pulls water up, and causes the seeds
to swell and burst. This factor, coupled with the increasing moonlight creates
balanced root and leaf growth. This is the best time for planting above
ground annual crops that produce their seeds outside the fruit. Examples are lettuce,
spinach, celery, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and grain crops. Cucumbers like
this phase also, even though they are an exception to that rule.
In the
second quarter the gravitational pull is less, but the moonlight is
strong, creating
strong leaf growth. It is generally a good time for planting,
especially two days before the full moon. The types of crops that prefer the second
quarter are annuals that produce above ground, but their seeds form inside the
fruit, such as beans, melons, peas, peppers, squash, and tomatoes. Mow lawns in
the first or second quarter to increase growth.
After the
full moon, as the moon wanes, the energy is drawing down. The gravitation
pull is high, creating more moisture in the soil, but the moonlight is decreasing,
putting energy into the roots. This is a favorable time for planting
root crops,
including beets, carrots, onions, potatoes, and peanuts. It is also good for perennials,
biennials, bulbs and transplanting because of the
active root growth. Pruning
is best done in the third quarter, in the sign of Scorpio.
In the
fourth quarter there is decreased gravitational pull and moonlight,
and it is considered a
resting period. This is also the best time to cultivate,
harvest, transplant and prune. Mow lawns in the third or fourth quarter to retard
growth.
