Easy Moon Gardening

New Moon to First Quarter Moon
This first quarter moon phase occurs between the new moon and the seven days following. This moon rises in the morning and the crescent moon is seen as a thin curve in the western sky after sunset. Each night, the moon gains dimension and appears higher in the western sky, as the moon moves farther along into the phase.

Plant above-ground crops such as lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, corn, onions, and spinach. Plant flowering annuals like impatiens, petunias, geraniums, and annual flowering herbs. Sow seeds and transplant. Prune now to encourage more growth.

Second Quarter to Full Moon
This moon phase begins approximately seven days after the new moon. Do you need an easy way to tell for sure if the moon is in the second quarter phase? The moon will appear about half-full in the sky. This moon rises around noon and sets in the early hours of the morning.

Plant above-ground crops such as beans, squash, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, and watermelon. Continue to plant annual flowers during this waxing, second quarter moon phase.

Full Moon
The full moon rises at sundown and sets at daybreak. This moon phase begins approximately fourteen days after the new moon. The full moon is a time of increased power and a time for blessings. Try planting a favorite magickal herb now. Gather your magickal herbs and plants as the full moon rises and take advantage of the extra mystic energy that the full moon lends to them. Harvest fruits and veggies just after the full moon for increased flavor.

Third Quarter or Waning Moon
As the moon begins to move out of the full moon phase and into the third quarter, you will observe that the moon rises later and later in the evenings. It will appear to slowly lose its fullness from the right side. This seven-day time period is called the waning moon. This is the best time to plant perennials and trees.

Plant root vegetable crops such as potatoes, turnips, radishes, and carrots. Plant bulbs, biennials, and perennials. Plant trees and shrubs in the cool evening hours now. They will suffer less transplant shock in this waning moon phase, and water or rain is thought to run straight to the roots of the plants during this time.

Fourth Quarter to Dark Moon
The fourth quarter moon begins approximately seven days after the full moon. During the fourth quarter moon phase, the moon rises around two to three o'clock in the morning and sets during the afternoon. Do not plant; instead, till, cultivate, control weeds, and harvest. Lay out a plan for a new garden. Prune now to control growth.

From Garden Witchery: Magick from the Ground Up by Ellen Dugan