SOWING BY THE MOON

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 22, 9 November 1943, Page 3

SOWING BY THE MOON

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM THE PRIMITIVES"? SOME SUGGESTIONS MADE The digging for victory campaign and the compost heap-making craze have, made many people so horticulturally minded that the}' are delving into other mysteries of gardening. Among the many inquiries received have been some as to whether the phases of the moon have any influence on seed germinatton (states the Wellington Evening Post).

All primitive agricultural people, including the Maori, used to and still do paj' great heed to the moon in their agricultural operations, and seed sowing by the moon is considered. by some authorities an integral part of the bio-'dynamic system of agriculture, originated by Dr. Rudolph Steincr and practised with conspicuous success in many parts c>!' England. Europe and the United States,, and. also in a few places in New Zealand. To go into full details would necessitate a lengthy article, stated briefly, the theory is that, seeds sown during the period, of the waxing moon (that is, between the time of new and. full moon) germinate better and give better subsequent crops than thosn sown when the moon is waning. The very best time of all to sow is said t:> be. two days before full moon, and if this sowing happens to be followed by some beneficial rain the results will surpass expectations, although in any ease they should be good. ,The moon is waxing at the pr(i» sent, time and will be full on November 12; seed, therefore, should bo sown between now and "then, preferably on November '10. between November 12 and 2'J the moon will b( waning. During this period seed sowing should be avoided, to be resumed between November 28 and December 12. during which period I,lie moon will be waxing, December 10 (two days before full moon) be-< ing the. optimum date.