Gardening by the Moon: A Beginner's Guide
Biodynamic gardening uses the moon's phases and zodiac positions
Biodynamic gardening uses the moon's phases and zodiac positions to determine the best times for planting, harvesting, and other garden activities. This ancient practice can enhance your garden's vitality and productivity.
Leaf Days
Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Planting Recommendations
- Sow, transplant and cultivate plants grown for their leaves and stems
- Best for: Cabbage, lettuce, spinach, salad greens, herbs, broccoli, cauliflower, green onions, celeriac
- Also good for leafy decorative plants
Harvesting Guidelines
- Do NOT harvest leaf plants during Leaf days (they decompose faster)
- Instead, harvest leaf plants during Flower days or Fruit days
Beekeeping
- Working with hives is not recommended during Leaf days
Fruit Days
Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Planting Recommendations
- Sow, transplant and cultivate plants that produce fruits and seeds
- Best for: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, beans, peas, corn, squash, melons
- Also good for: Strawberries, cherries, apples, pumpkins, nuts, cereals, zucchini
Harvesting Guidelines
- Excellent time to harvest fruits and seeds for better storage quality
- Good time to harvest leaf plants (if Flower days aren't available)
Beekeeping
- Excellent days for honey collection as nectar flow is stimulated
- Bees tend to be gentler and more cooperative on these days
Root Days
Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Planting Recommendations
- Sow, transplant and cultivate root vegetables and plants
- Best for: Carrots, turnips, potatoes, beets, garlic, onions, leeks, radishes
- Also good for root medicinals and root development in all plants
Harvesting Guidelines
- Ideal time for harvesting and storing root crops
- Root crops harvested during Root days have better storage life
Beekeeping
- Good time to encourage bees to build more comb
- Focus on hive structure and foundation
Flower Days
Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Planting Recommendations
- Sow, transplant, cultivate and harvest flowering plants
- Best for: Ornamental flowers, flowering herbs, medicinal plants grown for flowers
- Also good for plants where bloom quality matters
Harvesting Guidelines
- Excellent time to harvest flowers for arrangements (last longer, more fragrant)
- Ideal time to harvest leaf plants (better than harvesting during Leaf days)
- Good time to harvest herbs for medicinal purposes
Beekeeping
- Stimulates brood activity and colony development
- Bees tend to be gentler and more cooperative on these days
Quick Reference: Moon Signs & Elements
Understanding the zodiac signs and their corresponding elements helps you plan your gardening activities
WATER ELEMENT (LEAF):
- Cancer: Nurturing, deeply emotional, intuitive
- Scorpio: Intense, transformative, resourceful
- Pisces: Dreamy, compassionate, intuitive
FIRE ELEMENT (FRUIT):
- Aries: Pioneering, energetic, direct
- Leo: Creative, dramatic, confident
- Sagittarius: Philosophical, adventurous, optimistic
EARTH ELEMENT (ROOT):
- Taurus: Patient, reliable, sensual
- Virgo: Analytical, practical, detail-oriented
- Capricorn: Disciplined, responsible, traditional
AIR ELEMENT (FLOWER):
- Gemini: Communicative, curious, versatile
- Libra: Balanced, harmonious, relationship-oriented
- Aquarius: Innovative, humanitarian, independent
Practical Implementation Tips
How to apply moon sign gardening in your garden
- Look up the current moon sign in a biodynamic calendar or app
- Match the sign to its element group using the quick reference above
- Plan your gardening activities according to the corresponding plant part
- For best results: Work with both moon sign and moon phase systems together, but it's fine to start with just one
- Keep a garden journal to track what works best in your specific garden
Note: This system follows the biodynamic principles established by Rudolf Steiner and developed by Maria Thun. Matching activities to both the moon's phase and sign can enhance your garden's vitality and productivity.
Combining Moon Phase and Zodiac Sign Systems
For optimal results, experienced biodynamic gardeners combine both systems. The moon phase determines the general timing (above ground vs. below ground), while the zodiac sign refines the specific plant part focus (leaf, fruit, root, flower).
Example Combination
Waxing Moon in Pisces (Water Sign): Ideal time for planting leafy vegetables. The waxing moon supports above-ground growth, while the water sign Pisces specifically enhances leaf development.
Getting Started
Begin with whichever system feels more intuitive to you. Many gardeners start with the simpler moon phase system, then gradually incorporate zodiac signs as they become more comfortable with biodynamic practices.