Planting by the Phases of the Moon

Planting by the moon is often called lunar gardening and is the practice of timing your sowing, planting and key garden tasks to the phases of the moon rather than the standard calendar alone. The idea is that the moon’s gravitational pull influences soil moisture, sap movement, and plant growth rhythms in a similar way to ocean tides. While the concept began as folklore, it was formalised in the 20th century by biodynamic gardener Maria Thun, whose lunar sowing calendar is still widely used across the UK and Europe. For beginners, moon planting offers a natural rhythm to the gardening month that feels grounding and surprisingly practical.

Luna planting can often feel quite complicated, but there are some basics and if the practice excites you it’s worth taking the time to learn more. Alternatively you can take my approach which is to learn enough about the subject to pick a choose the bits of various gardening techniques that fit with both my gardening and lifestyle. I’m not a proponent of sticking rigidly to anything unless it works for you 😊

A Brief History of Moon Planting

The earliest records of Luna planting appear to date back to the Sumerians around 4000 BCE who developed a Luna calendar that influenced their agricultural practice. Ancient civilisations such as the Babylonians and Mayans also used a form of Luna planting. They believed that certain crops would thrive during specific Luna phases, leading to more prolific harvests. Medieval European farmers adopted similar techniques, and many traditional almanacs preserve these ideas. Today, moon planting has seen a revival through biodynamic agriculture, permaculture, and gardeners wanting to reconnect with the earths natural cycles. Many UK growers still follow lunar calendars and report improved germination and early plant vigour. The Biodynamic Association UK has been instrumental in this revival (https://www.biodynamic.org.uk), and many growers follow the annual Maria Thun Sowing and Planting Calenda.

How Moon Planting Works

Moon planting centres on two main lunar phases: the waxing moon (new moon to full moon) and the waning moon (full moon to new moon). The dates for these phases can be tracked via NASA’s Moon Phase Calendar (https://moon.nasa.gov/moon-in-motion/moon-phases/) or search for your UK county here https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/uk

• Waxing Moon:
  • As moonlight increases, gravitational pull is believed to draw moisture upwards, supporting above-ground growth. This phase is used for sowing leafy greens, brassicas, peas, beans and indoor sowings of tomatoes and cucumbers.
• Waning Moon:
  • As light decreases, the pull is thought to encourage downward growth, making this the ideal time for root crops such as carrots, beetroot, radishes, potatoes and onions.

Quarter-moon periods (first and last quarter) are often used for garden maintenance, pruning, mulching and weeding.

Why Gardeners Follow Moon Planting

Scientific evidence is mixed but interesting.
A commonly cited study, published in Biological Agriculture & Horticulture (1994), observed slight differences in seed germination between lunar phases, though the results were not strong enough for broad scientific consensus. A summary of related research can be explored through the Taylor & Francis Online archive (https://www.tandfonline.com/).

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has also commented on lunar gardening, stating that evidence is inconclusive but acknowledging the many gardeners who report positive results:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/garden-jobs/lunar-gardening

The respected and and prolific grower Charles Dowding has also written an interesting article on his experiments with Luna planting Moon Sowing

Supporters argue that even if the moon’s gravitational influence on soil water is small, lunar planting still improves gardening habits, timing, and planning leading potentially to healthier crops.

Vegetables for Waxing vs. Waning Moons

Best for the Waxing Moon (above-ground crops):

• Lettuce, spinach, rocket
• Kale, cabbage, broccoli
• Peas and beans
• Chard
• Tomatoes, cucumbers, chillies (started indoors with heat in UK conditions

Best for the Waning Moon (root crops and below-ground veg):

• Carrots, parsnips, beetroot
• Turnips, swedes, radishes
• Potatoes
• Onion sets and garlic

More advanced practitioners follow biodynamic calendars that also link sowing days to the zodiac constellations (earth signs = roots, water = leaves, fire = fruiting, air = flowers). This tradition is covered in detail by the Biodynamic Association UK.

If I’m honest I love the underpinning philosophy and practice of luna planting and enjoy researching the topic. However, it does take a commitment which I struggle with. Perhaps when I eventually retire I will have more time to follow the practice more deeply. But for now pick the bits that fit with my lifestyle.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

• Offers a natural, organised sowing structure
• Encourages mindful, intentional gardening
• Can improve routine and planning for busy growers
• Aligns comfortably with organic and no-dig gardening styles
• Many gardeners claim better germination and plant health

Disadvantages:

• Lunar “planting windows” do not always match UK weather
• Limited scientific consensus
• Requires a lunar calendar for accuracy
• Can feel complicated for beginners

Even so, many UK gardeners embrace lunar gardening for the rhythm, ritual and the connection it brings to their growing year, even if they follow it flexibly rather than strictly.

Final Thoughts

Whether you follow lunar gardening to the letter or simply use it as a gentle guide as I do, planting by the moon offers a meaningful way to connect growing with natural rhythms. The method may not have universal scientific backing, but it has centuries of traditional practice behind it and continues to inspire gardeners who enjoy a slower, more mindful approach to growing. At its heart, moon planting is less about strict rules and more about creating structure, intention, and a deeper awareness of the cycles happening above, and below the soil. If you’re curious, start small, experiment through a few lunar cycles, and let your garden show you what works. After all, gardening is always a blend of knowledge, observation, and a little bit of witchy magic.

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