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theWord on Somerset GARDENING |49
Intune
w
mo
ith
o
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Michael Littlewood puts
the case for consulting the
moon when deciding when
to sow, plant and harvest
e live in a sceptical world. when to sow, tend and harvest our crops,
W
Anything which is not they will be healthier and more productive.
easily explained in terms
of ‘rational’ science tends A lunar calendar also relates the moon’s
to get dismissed. In our position in the sky to the 12 constellations
crowded lives, we forget to look up and of the zodiac. Over the course of a lunar
acknowledge our place in the bigger month, the moon moves through all the
scheme of things. Mention lunar gardening, constellations, remaining in each for two
and most people will dismiss it as or three days. Each constellation is
moonshine. But there are inconsistencies particularly associated with one element:
in this modern pragmatism. earth, water, air or fire, represented in
plants by root, leaf, flower and fruit. These
It is self-evident that plants are adapted associations indicate which days are most
to the natural cycles or rhythms of time. The constellations of the zodiac are linked appropriate for work with root, leaf, flower
Two of those – the day and the year – are to particular elements, which relate to and fruit plants – and trials, most recently
solar cycles, and everyone is comfortable
different types of plant.
at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in 2007,
with the idea that plants are attuned to have shown increased yields of around
those. But the idea that they are also The moon’s gravitational force affects 30 per cent for plants sown at the correct
attuned to lunar cycles, which are monthly, everything on earth. Its most obvious effect moon time.
is rejected out of hand. Our ancestors is on the tides, which reach their highest
understood that all natural cycles affect twice a month, on average a day after the Though the permutations of moon
plant growth, and whole civilisations have full and new moons. The earth’s magnetic gardening can be complicated, the under-
based their agriculture around working field pulsates to a monthly rhythm, lying principles are simple and compelling.
with the moon. The biodynamic move- becoming strongest on the days following The basics are easy to put into practice,
ment, which seeks to renew agriculture a full moon. As the moon waxes, water and whatever the size of your garden – and the
by harnessing cosmic energies, has energy are drawn upwards, and this helps results speak for themselves.
developed these old traditions, and plants that produce their most valuable Michael Littlewood
science is now establishing how lunar parts above ground, such as fruiting crops
cycles affect plant metabolism. By drawing and flowers. When the moon wanes, water
MichaelLittlewoodisalandscapedesigner
on this marriage of ancient wisdom and and energy retreat back into the earth, so
andauthorofmanygardeningpublications
modern science, we can start to work in this is a favourable time for root crops. If includingTheOrganicGardener’sHandbook.
harmony with all that is around us. we factor lunar cycles into decisions about HelivesinSouthPetherton,Somerset.
Michael’s A Guide to Gardening by the which days are appropriate for work with
Moon provides an introduction to the root, leaf, flower and fruit plants, along
subject, clearly explaining the basic with moon times, phases and eclipses
principles and how to put them into (£11.95 plus £2.55 p&p). Buy both the
practice in your own garden (£9.95 plus guide and calendar for £22.95 inc. p&p.
£2.55 p&p.). His Gardening By The Moon
Calendar is an essential guide for Visit www.ecodesignscape.co.uk; write
gardeners who want to work in harmony to him at PO Box 25, South Petherton,
with lunar cycles. It shows at a glance TA13 5WZ; or call 01460 75515.
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