Pensacola News Journal

For: Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003

By: Daniel E. Mullins

Extension Horticultural Agent

Santa Rosa County

Is Planting by the Signs for Real, or is it Hocus-Pocus?

Planting by the signs or moon phases is an established practice with some vegetable gardeners. This subject is often discussed wherever groups of gardeners gather.

Most gardeners who plant by the signs believe that it works, while others think that the practice is so much hocus-pocus. The debate will not continue in this space. Instead, a brief update and the results of a recent study on the subject might be of interest.

The University of Florida neither recommends nor has it done research for making recommendations to plant based upon moon phases nor the astrological signs. Such recommendations could only be made based upon controlled, replicated studies.

Instead, Extension’s planting recommendations are based upon the best range of dates for each crop. Because of the lack of definitive research in the state, we can’t be more specific than that.

The basis for planting by the signs is associated with the phases or stages of the moon. The lunar month is divided into 4 quarters, with the light of the moon and the dark of the moon having various effects upon the proper timing of such practices as cultivation, planting, irrigation and fertilization. Some gardeners are even more specialized – planting by the signs of the moon which change about every 2 ½ days.

Following are some examples of how the signs are used by some gardeners: Planting and fertilization is done during a fruitful sign. Irrigation is done during one of the water signs such as Scorpio or Pisces. Crops that produce fruit above ground are planted in the light of the moon, while crops that produce underground are planted in the dark of the moon.

J. Raymond Joyce, an Extension Agent in Georgia, has been studying the signs and their effects upon vegetable production. In controlled studies, he is comparing the various moon phases and collecting yield data.

Using radish, he sowed seed on the best and worst days for planting according to the Almanac. After a 30 day growing period, the roots and vegetative tops were measured. The best sign gave the highest yield, while the worst suggested day for planting yielded the poorest result. He plans to test the signs on an above ground crop next spring.

I enjoy hearing of gardeners who succeed, whether they plant by the signs or not. Until more research based information on this subject is available, your local Extension agent will have essentially no opinion one way or the other.

In the mean time, it would be interesting to experiment by planting under the different signs. Much additional information is available on the web. For a complete paper on the Georgia agent’s study, go to http://www.griffin.peachnet.edu/ga/laurens/ag/hort/hortnews/plantbymoon.html

Another interesting site is http://www.gardeningbythemoon.com/signs.html.

Question of the Week: I need to prune my gardenias. When is the best time to do this?

Answer: Any necessary pruning of gardenias is best done soon after they have finished flowering. Avoid pruning late, such as during early fall. This practice can result in reduced flowering next year.