IT'S GREEN DAY @ my garden journal: Biodynamic garden

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Biodynamic garden

There are three methods for planting by the moon. The Syndic, or waxing and waning cycle, the Sidereal, and the Biodynamic cycle.

The two different ways to measure a month are called sidereal and synodic.

The siderial month is the time it takes for the Moon to complete one full orbit of the Earth, measured with respect to the distant stars. The major assumption in determing a sidereal month is that the distant stars are fixed relative to Earth, and for the most part they are stationary. The sidereal month is the Moon's true orbital period and is equal to 27.3 days. That is, it takes the Moon 27.3 days to be in the same position relative to the distant stars.

The synodic month is the time it takes for the Moon to complete one cycle of phases. For example, it is the time it takes the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases. That is, the time between successive new moons. Therefore the synodic month is measured with respect to the Sun and is approximately 29.5 days.

Why is there a difference between the sidereal and synodic periods? Well, the Earth keeps orbiting the Sun while the Moon is going through its phases. Thus, to go from one new moon to the next the Moon must travel more than 360o along its orbit. The synodic month is therefore approximately two days longer than the sidereal month.

Biodynamic gardeners
plant most flower, fruit and vegetable seeds two days prior to a new moon.
This is considered the ideal time because light and gravitational conditions

seven days following new moon become increasingly favorable for the development of roots and plant foliage. The moon shines a bit brighter and lunar gravity increases a little each day giving young plants an early boost.

seven days of the lunar cycle before a full moon. The moon continues to appear larger each night emitting a little bit more foliage stimulating light. Simultaneously, conditions are becoming less favorable for rapid root growth as lunar gravitational force increases. This is the part of the cycle during which young plant foliage begins to flourish and roots rest.

Seven days following a full moon the trend is reversed. The moon begins to wane or emit a bit less night each night. Less moonlight results in slowed foliage development. At the same time lunar gravity is decreasing again and roots now have a chance to flourish while foliage rests. This is considered the best time to transplant seedlings with minimal root shock.

During the last seven days of the lunar cycle the moon continues to wane and lunar gravitational forces increase again. As a result both roots and foliage slow down and rest until the arrival of the next new moon when the next cycle begins again.This to is the best time for cutting branches, pruning etc is when the moon is waning .

Recommendations for U.S.A.

Best ROOT Periods : for 2009

Thursday January 15 @ 7 AM threw Saturday January 17 @ 11 PM
Wednesday February 11 @ 6 PM threw Sunday February 15 @ 1 AM
Wednesday March 11 @ 5 AM threw Saturday March 14 @11 AM
Tuesday April 7 @ 1 PM threw Friday April 10 @ 8 PM
Monday May 4 @ 8 PM threw Friday May 8 @ 4 AM
Monday June 1 @ 1 AM threw Thursday June 4 @ 10 AM
Sunday June 28 @ 7 AM threw Wednesday July 1 @ 4 PM
Saturday July 25 @ 3 PM threw Tuesday July 28 @ 10 PM

Best FRUIT Periods :

Monday January 12 @ 8 PM threw Thursday January 15 @ 3 AM
Monday February 9 @ 7 AM threw Wednesday February 11 @ 2 PM
(But avoid Lunar eclipse before 10 PM February 9)
Sunday March 8 @ 6 PM threw Wednesday March 11 @ 1 AM
Sunday April 5 @ 1 AM threw Monday April 6 @ 7 AM
(Mercury at upper nodal point reduces available time.)
Saturday May 2 @ 6 AM threw Monday May 4 @ 4 PM
Friday May 29 @ 12 PM threw Sunday May 31 @ 9 PM
Thursday June 25 @ 8 PM threw Sunday June 28 @ 3 AM
Thursday July 23 @ 6 AM threw Saturday July 25 @ 12 PM

Best LEAF Periods :