Thread: Gardening by The Moon- a discussion of the technique

Hey, don't know if anybody but me believes in this......

The moon will be in Cancer on Nov.15th @2:52 pm EST until Monday Nov 17 until 4:06 pm EST.

This is a good time to germinate seeds if anyone needs help germinating.

The moon will be in the 3rd quarter which helps develop roots.....Best to not plant right near times given, as that is the time sign is changing.

Hope this helps, if so let me know, as I am interested.

Well, this is very interesting.. Not that i dont belive you (im pretty open minded about this stuff) just wondering where you heard/read that? Also, should you germinate the 15th through the 17th? What if i germinate on the 15th, they crack, should I not plant them until after the 17th?

This is all purely conjecture for me because I germinated on the 1st and all the plans are already on their way.

Are there any other dates we should be aware of?

Think I double posted, sorry.

I use Llewewllyn's Moon Sign Book. they claim they are more accurate than the Farmer's Almanac.

You can germinate any time between 15th and 17th as per above. Plant seeds per usual methods upon cracking. This book, which I have been using for gardening for 10 years, purports increases in seed germination of up to 96%.

This helps if you have old seeds or if you have valuable seeds you want to give every chance.

After the moon enters Leo on the 17th at 4:07 EST it is a barren unfruitful time. This could be used as a control. Use same seeds and germinate on 17th &18th in Leo and see if fewer seeds germ.

The book has everything from when to buy a car etc. by using Lunar guidelines If anyone wants, I could post a few more favorable germ dates or look up something specific related to gardening.

Hope this helps ya'll.

For a super excellent time to germinate seeds, try Dec 4,after 1:23 pm EST until Dec 6 9:43 pm EST.

FIRST QUARTER OF THE MOON BENEFITS: This quarter is for planting annuals producing their yield above the ground which are generally of the leafy kind.

SECOND QUARTER OF THE MOON BENEFITS: Good for planting crops of the leafy type that produce their seed inside the fruit.

VERY BEST TIME TO PLANT: The moon enters Pisces Thurs. Dec 4 . This is a very fruitful time as the moon is in the 1st quarter.

The moon enters the second quarter at 4:25 pm EST on the 5th. This will slightly decrease seed germination power.

Sat. Dec 6th at 9:44 pm EST the moon enters the barren sign of Aries. Thus planting seed at this time typically reduces the amount of seed that germinates.


Hope this helps anyone interested in the benefits of planting with the moon's signs. This method increases germination rates up to 96% as compared to 56% germination rate without moon's benefit.

For me, the best time to germinate is when I need to start the next crop.

Altho I'm sure the practice came in handy back before banks started giving calendars to farmers, I am doubtful when it comes to relying on farming folklore to grow cannabis. Especially indoors where we control every aspect of growth, and (for the most part) have no worries about a coming frost.

Curious...have you ever done a side-by-side comparison of results?

I am doubtful when it comes to relying on farming folklore to grow cannabis.

I agree with the moon phases, effecting all growing plants. My Dad said " plant seeds, by the dark of the moon"...so, I do.

He grew hemp during World War II. They planted it along the fence row, about 6-10 feet out, that way it didn't affect normal crops, like corn, etc. They said it was taller than the corn and twice as thick; as far as the eye could see.

I'm sure farmers over the past 200 years; noticed a trend, about what works best.

Ahhh...I see your point. My dad told me to avoid planting during the passing of Halley's Comet. Something about the spirit of the plants being sucked-up by the stardust that follows.
To each their own.
I'm also not a believer in lucky talismans, horoscopes, biorhythms, divining rods or pyramid power. If you feel more comfortable believing in folklore, fine. Just make sure the tales you believe in, do no harm.

I have never once seen anyone actually do a blind study of this, and thusly remain skeptical. Till it's proven, it's all conjecture. (proving your stance thru pictorial expression is of course acceptable...)

"you can lead a horse to water...but you can't make them drink"

I have seen numerous tips and tricks to germinate seeds listed in these boards. If someone has spent hundreds on seeds, I would think they might want to give those seeds EVERY chance possible.

In both posts I offered a good time as well as an alternate barren time. Thus allowing anyone an opportunity to do their own experiments.

I was just trying to help, especially newbies.

If anyone wants me to continue posting helpful tips, please reply. Otherwise I will keep my mouth shut in the future.

This subject comes up a few times per year, at least. Nobody has ever posted results confirming or debunking this. However, since using sound germination techniques produce a predictable result no matter what time of year I plant, I find it rather doubtful that it matters at all.

Your post shows you believe the farmers had a 'secret' to planting. I am not saying you are wrong to see it from that perspective, but that there just may be an alternative explination behind the reasoning for this technique. I believe that back in the early days not all farmers had calendars, but by watching moon cycles and weather over the years found a good method of "starting" their season to assure seasonal weather or market deadlines were met, no matter what region of the country you were farming in.

If anyone wants me to continue posting helpful tips, please reply. Otherwise I will keep my mouth shut in the future.

speak you mind ..LolaGal

some will follow, some won't....speak wisely ..or something, close to it....

Advanced Techniques Forum is for cutting edge proven ideas...I assume....and agriculture doesn't change too much at once.

Originally Posted by Dutch Pimp

speak you mind ..LolaGal

some will follow, some won't....speak wisely ..or something, close to it....

Advanced Techniques Forum is for cutting edge proven ideas...I assume....and agriculture doesn't change too much at once.

I originally posted my first gardening by the moon tip in Basic growing forum, but someone moved it to advanced techniques, so I assumed that is where it belonged

Rusty: Yes there have been studies done by scientists to prove this works, however it does not sound like you need any help growing at all. You are not the audience I was trying to reach. I was trying to help the person who has blew a bunch of money on seeds and has to pray that at least a few germinate. Not all of us live in areas where there is access to good genetics. Why not use the same seeds, use the dates given and give us a report on what pops up. I have experienced a 56% germ rate with same seeds in barren moon sign, planted same seeds in favorable moon sign and got 96% germination. Is that an appreciable difference? If you only had 10 seeds and 5 popped versus 9 popping....which would you prefer?

I originally posted my first gardening by the moon tip in Basic growing forum, but someone moved it to advanced techniques, so I assumed that is where it belonged

that is strange?...but, who knows what happens after midnite...

Update: Using date of Nov 16 08, three seeds were attempted to germ. Germ was done in mix of ProMix and perlite in a small peat pot.

Seeds recently obtained were packaged in June 2007.

planted using favorable moon sign of 11-16 all three popped today. 100% germination rate in old seeds

Hoorah! Planting by the moon works for me...(LolaGal happily whistles) Hope it helps you!

Using date of Nov 16 as optimal date I had a 100% germination rate using old seeds packed in June 2007

Originally Posted by LolaGal

Rusty: Yes there have been studies done by scientists to prove this works...

Which scientists...? If you could point me to the links that back this statement up, (along with their results) perhaps my mind would change. However, I try to avoid wives tales and folklore when it comes to growing my meds.

Originally Posted by LolaGal

If you only had 10 seeds and 5 popped versus 9 popping....which would you prefer?

I'd prefer not having to delay or accelerate my grow patterns to suit the moon, as sound technique trumps voodoo and supposition. Relying on the moon phases, without sound technique...you still get the same ratio of failures. I am curious tho...is cannabis a Libra or a Virgo...? Are Indica's and Sativa's the same sign...? And isn't there some magical month when the moon suits planting cannabis better than during the other 11 months? Are there any incantations we shoud be reciting during the planting, to assure potency, disease resistance and mega-growth...? Should we face mecca...? Do we adjust for longitude and latitude of our garden, or for where the strains originated, under a pyramid pointed north?

It's kinda funny...you show a desire to recieve respect for from others for posting this, yet you seem to have little respect for dissenting opinions. Since it's you saying the technique you use is sound, it is incumbant uopn you to provide the proof. As I can not find anything scientific supporting your claims, my opinion remains unchanged.

Don't like my opinion? Then prove me wrong, and show scientific proof. (others are of course welcome to help you find this info...)

p.s. nobody has told you that you shouldn't post. If you are a bit touchy, I apologize for challenging this 'technique', but this, of course, won't keep me from poking fun at the folklore.

Originally Posted by Rusty Trichome

Which scientists...? If you could point me to the links that back this statement up, (along with their results) perhaps my mind would change. However, I try to avoid wives tales and folklore when it comes to growing my meds.


I'd prefer not having to delay or accelerate my grow patterns to suit the moon, as sound technique trumps voodoo and supposition. Relying on the moon phases, without sound technique...you still get the same ratio of failures. I am curious tho...is cannabis a Libra or a Virgo...? Are Indica's and Sativa's the same sign...? And isn't there some magical month when the moon suits planting cannabis better than during the other 11 months? Are there any incantations we shoud be reciting during the planting, to assure potency, disease resistance and mega-growth...? Should we face mecca...? Do we adjust for longitude and latitude of our garden, or for where the strains originated, under a pyramid pointed north?

It's kinda funny...you show a desire to recieve respect for from others for posting this, yet you seem to have little respect for dissenting opinions. Since it's you saying the technique you use is sound, it is incumbant uopn you to provide the proof. As I can not find anything scientific supporting your claims, my opinion remains unchanged.

Don't like my opinion? Then prove me wrong, and show scientific proof. (others are of course welcome to help you find this info...)

p.s. nobody has told you that you shouldn't post. If you are a bit touchy, I apologize for challenging this 'technique', but this, of course, won't keep me from poking fun at the folklore.

I don't crave respect nor have I shown disrespect to other's opinions. I have repeatedly stated I posted this with a desire to help others. You have confused horoscopes with lunar planting. They are not related.

Today people often reject the notion of moon gardening. The usual nonbeliever is not a scientist, but the city dweller who has never had any real contact with nature and no experience of natural rhythms.

Does the moon have any effect on the earth? I guess you are right Rusty, it has no effect at all.

I care not if you agree with my opinions or not, nor do I care if you challenge my techniques. It is rather comical to read comments such as what sign is this plant, mecca, voodoo etc. Have fun at my expense all you like. I don't need to or want to change your opinions.

If your methods of growing suit your needs, great. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. This thread was intended for those looking for an extra edge in germinating and could in no way hurt or hinder anything.

Originally Posted by Rusty Trichome

I am not saying you are wrong to see it from that perspective...

Gee...I'm real sorry that asking for the proof you saw offends you. Thought it may be a great way for you to show us non-believers how the testing was done, and what the results were.

The incantation, pyramid and horoscope references were intended as a joke, as some feel they are on the same par.

Did I say the moon has no effect on earth and it's inhabitants...? No. Corals are definatelly lunar-based in timing their spawning, but can withhold spawning if conditions are unfavorable. But that's a reproductive timing thing (so they all spawn on same night) and it's comparing apples and oranges, as cannabis is a terrestrial entity.
I just find it hard to believe that seeds have developed over the millions of years, to wait for exactly the right moon phase to germinate. Were this the case we would not be able to germinate till it's genetics tell it that the moon is in the right house or phase or whatever. It seems more of an opportunist, taking advantage of any opportunity to grow and propogate. Good soil conditions, or no so good conditions...it seems always ready to try.

Rusty: Thanks for the wonderful apology. Let's be friends. By the way, you are talking to a scientist if a Bachelors of Science means anything these days. I Have reported my success rates with planting same seeds and germination rates of seeds planted in "barren" signs of the moon.

Yes one can plant a seed any day of the month and with optimal conditions it is likely to germinate. Lunar planting simply optimizes germination. More seeds planted come up using the Gardening By The Moon method.

However if one has limited experience germinating, old seeds, etc., THIS is when to use this method. Of course once you try it you will always want to Garden By The Moon. Try it and let us know.

Please see above for ACTUAL scientific results of 100% germination of OLD seeds using this method!


Yippee...(LolaGal does several backflips across the room) I am so glad to have this method it works so well for me.

A quote from another thread by her dankness, StinkyAttic


"Guys will you PLEASE fucking knock it off? What is it, a full moon?"


END QUOTE





LOL, couldn't resist adding to the thread

Day 10 update: WOW! I knew these dates were good for germing and rooting but I am shocked.

Already have roots coming out the bottoms of the 3 inch peat pots. Awesome.

I've tried this with vegetables a couple times. Never seemed to help. But I know some farmers who swear by it.

the famous 'Farmers' Almanac' has charts for it, too ... every midwest corn/bean farmer I know says it's all a load of bull (but, they all plant by the moon, anyway)

Hey I just read this post for the first time but I have five plants that are 14 days old as of the 1st of December and these plants are growing faster than I was expecting, they had tap roots about an inch long in one day but I kept them germinating and by the second day they were out of their shells and had the round starter leafs. I put them in rock wool and they are growing greatly, I think. The only thing I regret is that I put all five in the same rock wool but I'm not to worried. BTW I'm using one 42w (150w) cfl.

"What............we have, here..............is .............failure to communicate"