Lunar Gardens and Gardening

The time leading up to the new millennium reflected otherwordly ideas, and emphasized some age-old concepts. Among these newly emphasized trends is moon or astrological gardening. Interest in this subject continues to grow.

This trend includes moon gardening-gardening by the phase of the moon-as well as moon or evening gardens designed specifically for viewing during the night or evening.

Moon Gardens

Typically, one chooses plants with white blooms or light-colored foliage for moon gardens. These pale tones are easily seen by the light of the moon, and under poorly lit conditions. A number of herbs are suitable for moon gardens. These include 'Silver Mound' wormwood, chamomile, mayweed, white-flowering sages, feverfew, dusty miller, white-flowering purple coneflowers, dill, and coriander.

Other recommended flowers are ones that open at night or in the evening, such as moonflower, four o'clock, and evening primrose. Ones often used for moon gardens include those with white or gray foliage, such as caladiums. Suitable white-flowering plants include African daisy, carnation, candytuft, petunia, spider flower, vinca, wax begonia, and yucca.

Fragrant-flowering plants that release their scents during evening and night hours tend to attract bats, moths-particularly the sphinx moth, and other night-flying pollinators. Recommended scented plants include true jasmine, angel's trumpet, and flowering tobacco.

Ideally, a moon garden would be located in a spot close to the house where you can easily view it from a deck, porch, or patio.

Gardening by the Moon Signs

Gardening by the phase of the moon is hardly new. It has been around for centuries. In fact, it appears in some Sumerian gardening records from over four thousand years ago.

The first published reference to moon gardening in America was in Benjamin Franklin's daily newspaper, which he published in Philadelphia. In this horoscope, he included gardening recommendations.

Initially, the idea may seem absurd. Yet, there is increasing evidence to support it. Studies in Germany and the U.S. found that tilling at night minimizes the number of weed seeds that germinate.

The moon's gravitational forces have an effect on nutrient and water uptake of plants. Researchers also found that the sweet pea and some other plants require a period of total darkness to bloom. The light of the full moon can delay flowering, since total darkness is needed for flowering buds to develop.

There are many excellent sources of information on moon gardening. Since 1825, John Baer's Sons (http://www.johnbaer.com)) has published the famous "Baer's Agricultural Almanac and Gardener's Guide." Released in July, the new 2005 edition is now available. Jump-start your gardening planning by getting your copy now. Among its many wonderful features are tables and charts giving the dates for the phases of the moon and zodiac, and appropriate dates for garden activities.

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