The best known aspect is on seed germination and the old rule to always sow your seeds during a waxing moon and not when it is waning. It is not an “old wives tale”.  I generally have tried to follow this rule and on the occasions I haven’t, the seeds have germinated but more slowly and growth has tended to be less vigorous.

Once the new moon has been seen, each cycle of the moon has four phases, each lasting seven days. The waxing moon covers the first two quarters while the moon is growing in size and the waning moon covers the second two quarters while it is decreasing in size with each night leading up to the next new moon. During the waxing stage up to the full moon we have all seen how brightly lit the earth becomes on cloudless nights and it is this increasing night light that impacts on the growth of plants.

Calendars can be obtained which recommend the gardening activities to follow on each day of the moon cycle but this is extreme and for the fussy. If, like me, you just want to try and follow the basics (and quite often forget) then these are:-

Waxing moon: Sow seeds, propagate from cuttings, feed and water
Waning moon: Plant out new seedlings, bag up rooted cuttings, lightly prune shrubs and other plants

Of course in following the basics for lunar gardening we mustn’t lose sight of the seasons we experience here on the equator where we go through dry seasons and wet seasons. These to a large extent dictate planting periods, feeding, watering and pruning.

It is worth trying the basics.  If nothing else it makes you aware of the moon stages and the enjoyment of an evening stroll around your garden by moonlight.

Plants Galore Garden Centre
Directions: Use the Limuru Road from Muthaiga and continue past the Village Market and the turning into Runda.  200 m beyond the Runda turning take the murram track on the right hand side, where there is a Plants Galore sign board. After the bridge over the river fork right; the Centre is 100 m on the right. You can’t miss it!
Telephone: 020 2446103 or 0773 612589
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