Lunar planting

[Green Aura]

Just Google "moon planting" or "lunar gardening" or some such similar thingumibobby.

It's closely related to Rudolf Steiners biodynamic gardening.

At it's simplest, the moon has a similar effect on the land as the sea. So at times when it's waxing, it's better to plant one thing, and waning, something else. That's the bit that makes most sense. Then it gets complicated by which doctrine - synodic and other gobbledygook I've never delved into too much because it makes my head hurt - and they all seem to disagree with one another

So, as with the rest of my life, I try to keep it simple

[A&A]

Essentially, I think the theory is based on the fact that if the moon has the power to shift the oceans & plants are essentially full of water (especially leaves) then why should we assume that it can't possibly affect plants. There's a logic there - but a lot of conflicting ways of applying it.

ETA (edited to add ;) ) Ahh, cross-posted. It's explained better in the post above.

[The Riff-Raff Element]

I think that's a large part of why I find the idea appealing RRE - if it get's me organised then all well and good. And it does seem to make some sense too, don't you think?

Well, plants do sense gravity; they can work out which way is up and which way is down without needing to follow light, and that is easy enough to demonsrate.

But gravity is a weak force: we only notice the moon's influence on oceans because there is such a huge mass of water there to interact with it. In smaller bodies of water (smaller seas, lakes and ponds) the effect is very difficult to observe, so the effect on the water in a plant stem is miniscule, certainly when compared to factors such as temperature, salinity or even air pressure.

Does that mean that the phase of the moon has no effect? No idea. Certainly it does seem to influence behaviour and biology in some animals. Human menstrual cycle corresponds to the lunar cycle, even if it doesn't synchronyse with it, which may be a co-incidence but may not be.

Science's biggest achievement as far as I am concerned is that is demonstrates just how much remains to be discovered. On that basis I am quite prepared to keep an open mind and to carry on doing things because they feel right and appear to yield good results without worrying too much about why they work.

Just call me Mr Ostrich

[Green Aura]

Good on ya, Mr Ostrich!

I think this whole thing, like many ideas, is great in it's simplest form - as I said it helps to be organised and have some sort of plan for sowing, transplanting, harvesting etc. And I'm convinced that the moon influences much in this world - why not plant growth.

I have experienced the difference in the same batch of seeds being planted in the same compost a couple of weeks apart - one lot according to lunar planting and the others planted because my husband didn't think I'd put enough in. The first lot were much sturdier plants and produced better crops, even though there was ample time for the others to catch up. So at that level I'm OK.

I fall out with it all when it becomes too..... intense, for want of a better word. I'm not averse to complexity but the ideas often become so convoluted and gather so much importance as to render them meaningless - if that makes any sense.

I like simple

[Peggy Sue]

It would be great to do an experiment, I think I tried to 2 years ago but something had to be planted on a Wednesday then it peed with rain after work, at some times of year it was dark after work so impossible to do, then the bits I did so right and ran some bits alongside at the wrong time....and forgot which was which...but everything grew so hey.

Life's a bit short I decided for everything I cram in, no room left at the inn for this one unless something changes....and new job next year probably means less time rather than more- I really do need an 8 day week, could the calender do that for me?