Should I plant my fall garden when the moon is rising?

ASK THE HORT AGENT

Question Should I plant my fall garden when the moon is rising?

Answer Most folks have the best luck planting when the sun is rising. It is a lot easier to see what you are doing. However, you may be referring to the waxing of the moon. A waxing moon gets larger each night until it is completely visible (or full). A waning moon gets smaller each night until it is not visible (or new).

According to physicists, there is no difference between the gravitational pull of a waxing or waning moon. The moon’s pull is stronger during a full or new moon, because the sun, moon and earth are all lined up in a row. Science has not been able to link the visibility or phase of the moon with an effect on plants or people. In other words, it doesn't matter to your collards if the moon is full, waxing, waning, or gone.

Throughout history people have tried to make correlations between heavenly bodies (stars, moon, planets, meteors, etc.) and circumstances on earth. The moon does have an effect on the earth. However, it is the gravitational pull of the moon and not the visibility of the moon that affects the earth. The centrifugal force of the earth’s orbital path and the gravitational pull of the sun and moon all work together causing the oceans to rise and fall twice a day.

There are many “sayings” that are associated with the moon. A few examples include the following: A waning moon is considered an unlucky time for a marriage or birth. If grass crops are sown at the full moon, then the hay will dry quickly. Wood cut at the new moon is hard to split. If it is cut at the full moon, then it splits easily. If a boy was born during a waning moon, then the next birth will be a girl.

People around the world have had names for the first full moon of each month. The first full moon in August was called the Green Corn Moon, Red Moon, Grain Moon or Sturgeon Moon by various American Indian tribes. Often it was named after a common event that took place during that time. Celtic clans called it the Dispute Moon, and neo pagan tribes called it the Lightning Moon. The moon should be full on the 9th of August. We could call it the Air Condition Moon, the High Priced Gas Moon, the Back to School Moon or maybe the Start Putting Out Christmas Decorations at Walmart Moon.

If you plant according to the phases of the moon, then keep up the tradition. I would certainly rather hear of people planting by the moon than not planting at all. Just keep in mind the world is round and not flat. If you are a new gardener, then you need to be studying soil temperature, air temperature, soil moisture and average frost dates. For gardening info, visit

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/pdf/ag-06.pdf

call me at 910-893-7533 or email me at gpierce@harnett.org

For information on the moon, call NASA. They've been there more than I have (or have they?).

Gary L. Pierce

Horticulture Extension Agent

Harnett County