Planting Dates By Zip Code and Moon Phase

jll0306

15 years ago

God bless the Farmers' Almanac!

Here is a link that might be useful: Enter Zip Code to Get Dates for Your Area

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Comments (26)

sprtsguy76
15 years ago
Now thats a handy little tool to have on hand.
lisa-regina
15 years ago
Thanks for this site. Loads of information.
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Planting by moon signs
Q
Comments (21)
Hi Barbara, It has been forever since I posted but I had to put my 2 cents worth in concerning the planting by the moon. I have planted by the moon and zodiac for about 20 yrs now and I believe whole heartedly in it. My husband can tell ya he hates it when I do the outside garden planting because if done correctly I end up with stuff that gets way bigger than it is supposed to be and be healthy as an ox so to speak. It was so bad one year he was adamant that I was not planting any more flowers by the signs. I do a lot of things by the moon and zodiac signs cut my hair, set my eggs, paint the house, my husband will ask when is it time to cut wood for the winter each month. I will not have any surgery if the signs are not right. Enough said, let me see if I can explain it. Everything on earth is governed by the zodiac and the moon. There are 12 signs of the zodiac and 4 qtrs of the moon phase. Well each of the signs represent different parts of the body, Pisces-feet, Capricorn-knees, Aries- head and face and so forth. Also these signs are either masculine or feminine and they can be airy, watery, dry, fiery, moist, and earthy. They will also be either fruitful, semi fruitful or barren. I do all of my plantings on fruitful or semifruitfull. I also cut my hair on fruitful days. This is where the moon comes in. When the moon is on the increase everything is growing (the moon on the increase is controlling top growth) if you want a plant to grow or you want to cut your hair you do so on fruitful days when the moon is on the increase, this is so that the plant grows or your hair will grow. When the moon is on the decrease all of the energy is going into the roots of the plant. Lets say I want to paint my house, then I would paint on a dry and airy sign. If I want to destroy weeds for good I would do so on a zodiac sign that is: barren, dry, fiery and barren . Aries, Gemini, and Leo would be excellent signs. Now don't get me wrong because some of your garden plants can be planted on these kind of days. Onions, are said to grow best if planted in Sagittarius even though it is a barren, dry etc. sign. If you think about it an onion would rot if planted in a wet sign. (Pisces) I hope this gives you an idea of how the signs work. Now for the moon, There are 4 quarters regarding the moon. There is the new moon, this is when the moon has completed all 4 qtrs and is starting over. The new moon is for balanced leaf and root growth. The 2nd qtr is for increased leaf growth. This is a good time for transplanting and grooming of your av. The full moon and up to the 4th qtr is for root growth. This is also the best time to plant new leaves, sew seeds, bulbs, plant perennials and biennials. transplanting of your avs at this time will give you a better root system. The 4th qtr is when everything rests. There is no root or top growth going on at this time. This is the best time to destroy bugs, destroy weeds, put herbs up to dry and harvesting of seeds . This is also a good time to remove dead limbs on your trees, plant etc. I hope that maybe I explained this so you can better understand. If one thinks about their grandparents, some of them probably did everything by the moon so to speak. No I am not wiccan, Native American, yes but that really doesn't have anything to do with the way I do things. I experimented and listened to what the older generation said. The older people sure made a lot of sense if people would listen. There are too many young adults and children today that will never have this knowledge. It is important to pass the knowledge on so that it doesn't get lost somewhere like in cyberspace. Happy Growing!!! Doris
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Moon Phase Planting Experiment, wanna join me?
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Comments (39)
I love growing plants from seed but have had varying success with germination. This year I started some seeds inside according to the best moon phase and so far, I have had the best germination ever. I prefer sowing seeds directly in the ground and did that a week and a half ago. I still have more to plant but I don't want to wait until the next best phase so I think this will be a good opportunity to see if there is any difference. The following link has an good calendar and further explanation of how the moon forces effect plants. Here is a link that might be useful: Gardening by the Moon
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Do you plant according to your calendar, moon phases, or signs?
Q
Comments (17)
I actually believe in the "planting during a new moon" methodology. Ive done many experiments and found it to be mildly beneficial. However less so with peppers specifically. On the other hand, I still plant seeds every weekend because I like the constant flood of plants entering the garden. I believe there is a "science" to the new moon sowing theory and my take on it is this: When a new plant is germinated, the primary thrust of power and energy to grow is contained in the seed, after the first few days the plant transitions to use energy from external sources, air, water, light and soil. Approximately 2 weeks after new moon is when the full moon hits. Now, If you are planting outside, this is where you get the benefit. the freshly sprouted seedling is now just releasing it's first true leaves right at the point when the full moon is reflecting a lot of additional light. I believe this has the potential to give the plant some extra light right at the point where it's growth variables are being determined. While the benefit is small, I find it to be an interesting phenomena.
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Cuttings and Moon Phases
Q
Comments (53)
I am late to this thread but have found it extremely entertaining. Every propagator knows there is a good time to take cuttings and that is when the plant is in the right stage for it, not when the moon is in the right stage. And this times varies with each plant species. As for experiments and proof, I look no further than some of my neighbours, they faithfully plant by the moon, and when harvest arrives they have no better yields than the rest of us. Just because an idea has been around for years, and many people still hold to it does not give it validity. The great thing about science is, that when it is proven wrong it accepts it, it does not cling to an idea that no longer works just because it has been handed down thru the ages. Science is there to move us on, and to teach us new things so we can better understand which beliefs to drop, and which to hold on to. I for one will drop the idea that the earth is flat, that my destiny is dependant upon the zodiac, and that planting by the moon has any noticeable benefit.
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pastor_steve
15 years ago
Sometimes the internet is like mining for gold... Thanks!
crabbcat
15 years ago
Way cool, thanks!
jwr6404
15 years ago
Would be nice to see what they had for the PNW last year. We had below freezing temperatures in early July.
gtomato
15 years ago
Hogwash!! I'm a reader of the Almanac but if I plant things when they reconmend, I'd lose almost all my crop. It's best to follow the frost date for me. There is no way I could plant almost a MONTH before my last frost.
jll0306
Original Author
15 years ago
I have to start before last frost or else have a very short growing time before the killer heat moves in. But I've got lots of row covers and hot caps ready for nursing the plants through the first cold nights.
jll0306
Original Author
15 years ago
Here's another little gem I came across last night. Apparently tomatoes like to be transplanted when the moon is in Scorpio.

Here is a link that might be useful: Moon Sign Gardening
sowbusy7nc
15 years ago
I agree with you Gtomato to plant almost a month early in our area would be sure disaster.
aloha10
15 years ago
Hogwash! My home vegetable gardens go back over 60 years (excepting time for military service) and my experience departs from these recommendations on almost every issue.I love the Farmers' Almanac but take it for what it is; a nostalgic look at past America and past beliefs. If you want sound advice, google the many sources of good information from many state and private university web sites (Cornell, Ohio State, etc.) But like me, keep buying the Old Farmers Almanac. I would hate to see it's demise.
jll0306
Original Author
15 years ago
Scratching head in puzzlement:
a couple of people on the veggie forum say it's accurate for their zones.

Here is a link that might be useful: Same thread over yonder.
PaulF_Ne
15 years ago
For most of the early dates our garden is either still frozen or the threat of frost makes it impractical to plant by the almanac. They need to reassess. Tomatoes in early April?
jll0306
Original Author
15 years ago
i believe they have a footnote saying that is the recommended date for starting seeds, which works, tomato-wise, if you are planting out at the end of May or early June.
remy_gw
15 years ago
Weird, the dates are correct for my area.
Remy
windclimber
15 years ago
Found the Almanac to be correct quite by accident 30 yrs ago.
I planted corms of the Elephant Ear under a full mooon in spring, producing huge prolific plants.
I think it is safe to say that under the ASTRONOMICAL as opposed to astrological, plants are affected in different ways, gravitation pull and water being as powerful as it is. The link provided explained it fairly well on another page.

I am conviced that the Almanac gets as close as any long term forcasting venue can. They have generations of data compiled into a format generations have used for survival and livelyhood. Gotta remember it is a guide and reference manual not the Bible.
Besides the folklore and articles are informative and interesting.
Not much of the "old" ways left in America, heritage, to me, is something to savor in a way.
plantslayer
15 years ago
Much as I'd like to look at this as a reference guide, it recommends that I plant tomatoes before the last frost date for Seattle. I'm not convinced that's such a good idea. :)
cdprop
15 years ago
"I am conviced that the Almanac gets as close as any long term forcasting venue can."

I would agree.

That is to say, no better than flipping a coin. :)
mkhys223
15 years ago
It's kind of unfortunate that some beginners in gardening might read some of the tips for planting out(mine was in April for tomato's...I don't even start my plants till' late March)and try to do it.

I enjoy FA for the bits of folklore and such but jeees.....

Mike
loagiehoagie
15 years ago
It looks fairly accurate for my area. But again, folks it is a 'guide'. It is not a substitute for common sense and checking the 10 day weather forecast. Every year is different. It is pretty cool to get an idea of some other veggies I have not planted to see what 'general' time frame is recommended.

Duane
clob
15 years ago
Just curious but how many of you pay attention to the planting cycles (moon or whatever)/Farmer's Almanac?

I'd never really thought about it and don't think I've seen a Farmer's Almanac since I was ten years old. It's odd. To some it's mythology, to others it's the bible.

The reason I'm curious is that I was at one of the better wineries in Napa Valley last month and, well, they use it.
jackbenny
15 years ago
I don't know one way or the other as to whether it is hogwash, but considering that the moon has an effect on peoples behavior depending on its phase and that it also creates the tides keeps me from writing off planting by the moon completely.
the_sun
15 years ago
Umm... I think everyone is missing the line on the webpage where it says... Boston, MA

Outdoor Planting Table for 2009

Boston, MA

PERSONALIZE THIS SITE: SELECT YOUR LOCATION

Enter a ZIP or Postal Code, or City, State

Want us to remember your location for your next visit?
Become a Registered User. Free and quick.

The best time to plant flowers and vegetables that bear crops above ground is during the light of the Moon; that is, blah, blah blah...
the_sun
15 years ago
Some Farmer's Almanac suggestions are somewhat arbitrary... Esp. eggplant and peppers.
ljpother
15 years ago
The Late planting date seemed about right -- about a week before traditional recommendations. The Garden Centres recommend the week after the May 24 long weekend for bedding plants etc. Most people plant well before then and many years replace plants from the stock garden centres have held back. Our last frost is 3 to 4 weeks after the warm weather and urge to plant arrives. A common strategy for direct seeding is plant early and hope. If we get a frost, we plant again. :)
spencersmom
15 years ago
I use both the gardening by moon phase site and FA together. So, take tomatoes..

According to the FA, planting dates in my zone are favorable from April 7th - 30th. Makes sense..

Also in FA, the moon is favorable from April 7th to 9th and then from the 24th to 30th.

Boogie over to the Gardening by Moon Phase site and for toms, it is suggested that they be planted while the moon is in Scorpio, Cancer, Pisces and Libra.

Back to FA..

April 4th - Cancer
April 11th and 12th - Libra
April 13th - Scorpio
April 22nd through 24th - Pisces

Ok, so it looks like these don't jive HOWEVER they say to set seed during the waxing of the moon a couple days before the full moon which would be the 7th - 9th (9th being the full moon). New moon is the 24th in case you were curious.

It may sound like hogwash to a lot of people but I set seed some days before the full moon and got nothing. Figured I screwed up. A couple days before the Full Moon.. BAM. Holy Seedlings. Coincidence? Perhaps..

So bottom line, I am shooting for the weekend of the 11th of April to transplant outside.

This is a school of thought that I have started getting into and I'm transplanting anyway so I figure, pay attention to what the moon is doing and take notes.

Did that make sense? I got side tracked with visitors ..

Try it and :) Happy Spring!

Erin
tracerracer
15 years ago
I checked it out and for kick-n-giggles put in the zip for where I lived for 14 yrs... Toms goin' in "Apr 7-30" (got a giggle from that)...One yr for my ds's bday, we built him a swing set. buried the legs....Had to dig down 1 1/2' to find ground that wasn't frozen solid, that would have been on April 20th.......Having several feet of snow isn't uncommon for that area into May..........

Just let me be clear, thank you for the link, this is in no way a slam, I enjoy the FA and gonna have to give that moon phase thing a try...........

Planting Dates By Zip Code and Moon Phase

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Planting Dates By Zip Code and Moon Phase

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