Planting by the Sun and the Moon
Most plants thrive in sunlight so it makes sense to maximise how much of it they get.
When planning where to grow crops, consider where the sunlight falls on your allotment plot. Think about situating the tallest plants where they won't cast shade on the rest of your crops.
Rows of tall plants, such as runner beans, are best sown on a North-South axis (parallel to the main allotment path). This ensures an even amount of sunlight falls on each plant.
If you plant on a square bed system where there is equal space around each plant then it doesn't matter in which direction you sow as the result will be the same.
Less is known about the relationship between plant growth and the moon.
The basic premise of planting by a lunar calendar is to take advantage of the natural harmony between a plant's growing cycle and the moon. The influence of the moon depends on how much light it emits and it's position in the sky.
A waxing moon is considered favourable for sowing plants which grow produce above the ground, whilst root crops are better sown on the waning moon. Generally, seeds germinate well just before the full moon.
Different aspects of the moon's cycle are thought to be preferential for planting out/ harvesting/ fertilizing etc. and certain days within each period are beneficial to the type of plant being grown - root, leaf, fruit or flower.
All of this is hard to measure scientifically and research has yet to provide many answers. What is known is that farmers and gardeners have been using the moon's cycle as a guide to planting crops for hundreds of years.
Personally, I have sown according to the lunar cycle for a number of years and have had enough good results to persuade me to carry on with this method, although soil condition and weather conditions are vital factors.
As ever, the best thing is to try it for yourself, then decide.
When planning where to grow crops, consider where the sunlight falls on your allotment plot. Think about situating the tallest plants where they won't cast shade on the rest of your crops.
Rows of tall plants, such as runner beans, are best sown on a North-South axis (parallel to the main allotment path). This ensures an even amount of sunlight falls on each plant.
If you plant on a square bed system where there is equal space around each plant then it doesn't matter in which direction you sow as the result will be the same.
Less is known about the relationship between plant growth and the moon.
The basic premise of planting by a lunar calendar is to take advantage of the natural harmony between a plant's growing cycle and the moon. The influence of the moon depends on how much light it emits and it's position in the sky.
A waxing moon is considered favourable for sowing plants which grow produce above the ground, whilst root crops are better sown on the waning moon. Generally, seeds germinate well just before the full moon.
Different aspects of the moon's cycle are thought to be preferential for planting out/ harvesting/ fertilizing etc. and certain days within each period are beneficial to the type of plant being grown - root, leaf, fruit or flower.
All of this is hard to measure scientifically and research has yet to provide many answers. What is known is that farmers and gardeners have been using the moon's cycle as a guide to planting crops for hundreds of years.
Personally, I have sown according to the lunar cycle for a number of years and have had enough good results to persuade me to carry on with this method, although soil condition and weather conditions are vital factors.
As ever, the best thing is to try it for yourself, then decide.
Submitted by Jane, plot 9
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