In principle, lunar planting sounds like a great idea. Planting by the phases of the moon, such a planting process is theoretically sound too, with movements in the water table affecting root growth. Working with the moon’s monthly cycle, particular days are better than other’s for sowing, planting and harvesting. In periods when the moon draws the water table to the surface, gardeners are urged to plant, when the soil is moist and the best condition for germinating seeds. As the water table recedes back into the earth, it draws growing plant roots with it, making them more sustainably viable and creating stronger, healthy plants. That’s the theory anyway.

 

As some may know from my blog, I was rather taken with the lunar planting scheme this year, with its advantages far outweighing possible disadvantages. No watering, yet healthier plants with a better harvest? Yes please. Adhering to the advice provided on the Gardeners Calendar website I’ll admit, Mary (my godmother and devout backbone of our allotment) and I became a little pagan about the whole thing. I bought Nick Kollerstrom’s Gardening and Planting by the Moon 2010: Higher Yields in Vegetables and Flowers and soon the entire potato crop had been planted within the very specific guidelines.

 

However, whilst a typical British summer provided perfect growing conditions in June, July’s beating sun resulted in parched, cracked and sandy soil. But it was fine, potatoes were growing strong, their roots had been pulled down by the receding water table and watering was in no way needed. How wrong could I be?! Whilst much of the allotment harvest has continued as normal, the potatoes planted by the phases of the moon have been a dismal failure. The crop will in no way provide a year's worth of delectable spuds, and though the ones we have are delicious, the harvest is pitiful.

 

So, lunar planting on this occasion has not worked in the slightest. Far from providing a sustainable and economically safe way of growing food, it has resulted in lacklustre spuds. Whilst I may have had to water more, at least the home grown harvest would have provided astonishingly good taste and reduced the food miles and supermarket consumption of the household. And based on its theoretically sound methods, the lunar planting principle should always work. I have to admit, I think I’m done trying. Lunar planting, friend or foe? You decide.

 

*This blog was originally posted at www.theguidetogaygardening.com