At the new moon,
the lunar gravity pulls water up, and causes the seeds to swell and burst.
This factor, coupled with the increasing moonlight creates balanced root
and leaf growth. This is the best time for planting above ground annual
crops that produce their seeds outside the fruit. Examples are lettuce,
spinach, celery, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and grain crops.
Cucumbers like this phase also, even though they are an exception to that
rule.
In the second quarter
the gravitational pull is less, but the moonlight is strong, creating
strong leaf growth. It is generally a good time for planting, especially
two days before the full moon. The types of crops that prefer the second
quarter are annuals that produce above ground, but their seeds form inside
the fruit, such as beans, melons, peas, peppers, squash, and tomatoes. Mow
lawns in the first or second quarter to increase growth.
After the full
moon, as the moon wanes, the energy is drawing down. The gravitation pull
is high, creating more moisture in the soil, but the moonlight is
decreasing, putting energy into the roots. This is a favourable time for
planting root crops, including beets, carrots, onions, potatoes, and
peanuts. It is also good for perennials, biennials, bulbs and
transplanting because of the active root growth. Pruning is best done in
the third quarter, in the sign of Scorpio.
In the fourth
quarter there is decreased gravitational pull and moonlight, and it is
considered a resting period. This is also the best time to
cultivate, harvest, transplant and prune. Mow lawns in the fourth quarter
to retard growth.
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