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                       PLANTING BY MOON PHASE
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Planting seeds by the phase of the moon is a controversial aspect of the
biodynamic/French intensive gardening method.

Short and slow germinating seeds are planted two days before the New 
Moon, when the first significant magnetic forces occur, and up to seven 
days after the New Moon.
Long germinating seeds are planted at the Full Moon and up to seven days 
afterward.  Seedlings are transplanted at the same time.  Both planting 
periods take advantage of the full sum of the forces of nature, including
gravity, light, and magnetism.  The greatest sum of increasing forces 
occurs at the New Moon.  The lunar gravitational pull which produces high
tides in the oceans and water tides in the soil is very high.  During 
the first seven days of the New Moon, the lunar gravitational pull 
decreases and the amount of moonlight increases, causing plants to 
undergo a period of balanced growth.  The decreasing lunar gravity (and 
the corresponding increase in earth gravity) stimulate root growth.  At
the same time the increasing amount of moonlight stimulates leaf growth.

Phases and their actions:

2 days before New Moon
Plant short and extra long germinating seeds (most vegetables and seeds)

New Moon (first seven days)
Balanced increase in rate of root and leaf growth.
   Moonlight +
   Lunar Gravity -

First Quarter (second seven days)
Increased leaf growth rate.
   Moonlight +
   Lunar Gravity +

Full Moon
Transplant seedlings from flats into beds and plant long germinating seeds
(most flowers) into flats or beds.

Full Moon (third seven days)
Increased root growth rate.
   Moonlight -
   Lunar Gravity -

Fourth Quarter (fourth seven days)
Balanced decrease in rate of root and leaf growth (resting period).
   Moonlight -
   Lunar Gravity +
 
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