| What are the lunar phases? | | | | the moon are especially strong at this time - |
| The moon waxes (increases) and wanes | | | | more births come into this world during this phase. |
| (decreases) over a period of about twenty-eight | | | | This is the best quarter for planting tomatoes. |
| days. | | | | THIRD QUARTER: The third quarter/phase begins |
| This cycle from New Moon to New Moon is called | | | | at Full Moon - the moon has covered half of its |
| the lunation cycle and is divided into four parts | | | | journey around the Earth. This is when the sun |
| commonly called quarters or phases. | | | | and moon are opposite and sunlight shines fully on |
| The best way to use lunar gardening techniques is | | | | the moon. Calendars often indicate this day as |
| to buy a special calendar. Fortunately, so many | | | | white full moon. The Full Moon stands for |
| modern gardeners use lunar planting, that | | | | illumination, completion and unrest. Fertilize |
| calendars are generally available in good gardening | | | | (organic) during the 3rd or 4th quarter when the |
| shops in most areas. You can also buy then | | | | moon is in a water sign. |
| on-line. Other sources for Moon phase information | | | | FOURTH QUARTER: The fourth quarter/phase |
| are the weather page of your local newspaper, | | | | begins halfway (about twenty-one days into the |
| almanacs and gardening magazines. | | | | lunation cycle) between the Full Moon and next |
| FIRST QUARTER: The first quarter/phase begins | | | | New Moon. The sun and moon are again at ninety |
| at New Moon. Many calendars will show it as a | | | | degrees apart and the waning powers of the |
| blackened moon (dead moon) indicating that there | | | | moon are especially weak. This phase is a time of |
| is no moonlight to be seen on the first night since | | | | reorganization, reflection and riddling oneself of |
| the moon lies between the earth and the sun. | | | | unnecessary things in order to make room for |
| The New Moon is waxing and is a time for new | | | | the coming New Moon. Cultivate the soil, weed |
| beginnings that favour personal growth and in the | | | | the garden, employ pest management and |
| garden it is time for germination. The Earth begins | | | | remove unwanted plants. |
| to breathe in. | | | | Anyone who sees the tides change due to the |
| SECOND QUARTER: The second quarter/phase | | | | pull of the Moon's gravity on earth will not doubt |
| starts about seven-plus days after the New Moon | | | | the lunar influence on daily life. Similarly you can |
| and ends with the Full Moon. The sun and moon | | | | observe the same rhythms in the rising and falling |
| are ninety degrees apart. The waxing powers of | | | | of sap in plants, in changes in weather and rainfall. |