Gardening by the Moon: A Beginner's Guide for Seniors

For many seniors, spending a quiet afternoon in the garden is the ultimate way to stay active and connected to nature. But what if you could make your gardening efforts more successful with less back-breaking work? Enter the ancient wisdom of lunar gardening.

"If the moon has the power to move the oceans and create tides, it undoubtedly affects the groundwater in the soil and the sap flow within the delicate stems of our garden plants. Lunar gardening isn't magic; it's natural science." — Martha Higgins, Master Gardener & Lunar Expert

The Waxing Moon: Focus on Above-Ground Growth

The period from the New Moon to the Full Moon is called the waxing phase. During this time, the moon's gravitational pull increases, pulling moisture upward in the soil. This encourages seeds to swell and burst, and sap to flow strongly through the stems and leaves.

This is the perfect time to plant anything that yields its crop above ground, particularly leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and cabbage, as well as flowers.

The Waning Moon: Focus on Roots and Maintenance

After the Full Moon, the moon begins to wane, shrinking back toward the New Moon. The gravitational pull lessens, and the plant's energy shifts downward into the roots.

This is the time to plant root crops like carrots, potatoes, and onions. It is also the best time for maintenance. Weeds pulled during a waning moon are less likely to grow back quickly, and plants pruned during this phase experience less stress because the sap flow is lower.