Gardening Moon Calendar - April 1998
Gardening by the Moon Phase, Farmer's Planting Guide

Moon Sign is calculated according to:
Biodynamic Gardening Moon Calendar - April 1998

April 1998 - Gardening by the Moon, Biodynamic Planting Guide

Please read this first:
1) Moon Phase x Moon Zodiac Sign:
Please keep in mind, that Gardening by Moon Phase and Gardening by Moon Zodiac Sign are two different/independent biodynamic systems and they might give you different or contradictiory gardening recommendations.
  • a) Each Moon Phase (except Full Moon and New Moon) lasts about 1 week
  • b) Each Moon Zodiac Sign lasts about 2.5 days
Try to experiment with these two systems to find which recommendations suits you the most.


2) Tropical (Astrological) x Sidereal (Astronomical) Zodiac:
(1-2 days difference in Leaf, Fruit, Root and Flower days)
There are two different zodiacs for determining the Moon Sign:
  • a) Tropical zodiac (Astrological) is based on the seasons - Vernal Equinox is fixed as 0° Aries (The 1st Fruit day)
  • b) Sidereal zodiac (Astronomical) takes into account Precession of Equinoxes and shifts 0° Aries back by cca 1-2 days. Maria Thun who was an authority on biodynamics was using this Sidereal zodiac
Try to experiment also with these two zodiac systems to find which system suits you better.
Date
1998
Moon Phase Gardening by the
Moon Phase
Gardening by the
Moon Zodiac Sign

Gardening by the Moon Zodiac Sign (Element) - Legend

Biodynamic Calendar - Icon Legend
Leaf Days Leaf days (Water Element)
  • It is the appropriate time to sow, transplant and cultivate plants from which the intention is to use Leaves and Stems.
  • Ex: Cabbage, Salads, Lettuce, Spinach, Green onions, Broccoli, Cauliflower and Celeriac.
  • Leaf plants should be harvested in Flower days (or Fruit days).
  • Harvesting in Leaf days is not recommended (products start decomposing in a shorter time).
  • Beekeeping: Working with the hive is not recommended in Leaf days.
Fruit Days Fruit days (Fire Element)
  • It is the appropriate time to sow, transplant and cultivate plants that produce Fruits and Seeds.
  • Ex: Cherry, Strawberry, Tomato, Pea, Bean, Corn, Pumpkin, Nut, Cereal, Courgette.
  • Harvesting in Fruit days allows fruits and seeds to have a better storage quality.
  • Leaf plants should be harvested in Flower days (or Fruit days).
  • Beekeeping: Fruit days stimulate the collection of nectar. Bees are also supposed to be more gentle these days.
Root Days Root days (Earth Element)
  • It is the appropriate time to sow, transplant and cultivate Root plants and Root vegetables.
  • Ex: Carrot, Turnip, but also Potato, Beet-root, Garlic, Onion, Leek.
  • Crop should be stored in Root days.
  • Beekeeping: Bees should be encouraged to build more comb.
Flower Days Flower days (Air Element)
  • It is the appropriate time to sow, transplant, cultivate and harvest Flower plants or herbs used for medicinal purposes.
  • Flowers, if cut in these days, have a more intense scent and endure longer.
  • Leaf plants should be harvested in these Flower days.
  • Beekeeping: Flower days stimulate brood activity and colony development. Bees are also supposed to be more gentle these days.
Gardening by the Moon Phase - Legend
NEW MOON
  • Time to rest, celebrate and meditate.


NEW MOON PHASE
New Moon -» First Quarter
(Waxing Crescent)
- Moonlight is increasing
- Strongest gravitational pull
- Soil releases / Earth exhales / Energy draws UP into upper planets
  • Sow/Plant: Above ground Leaf plants, Cereals, Grains, Lawns, Herbs, Cucumbers.
  • Jobs: Graft, Mow lawns & Prune foliage (to increase growth).


FIRST QUARTER PHASE
First Quarter -» Full Moon
(Waxing Gibbous)
- Moonlight becomes stronger
- Gravitational pull is a little less now
- Soil releases / Earth exhales / Energy draws UP into upper planets
  • Sow/Plant: Above ground Fruit plants (with "inside seeds" such as Tomatoes, Peppers, Peas and Bean), Cereals, Grains, Lawns and Flowers.
  • Jobs: Graft, Mow lawns & Prune foliage (to increase growth).
  • Planting and Grafting take best if done two days just before the Full Moon.
FULL MOON
  • Time to rest, celebrate and meditate.
  • Pick medicinal herbs and plants.


FULL MOON PHASE
Full Moon -» Last Quarter
(Waning Gibbous)
- Moonlight is decreasing
- Gravitational pull is decreasing
- Soil absorbs / Earth inhales / Energy draws DOWN into the Roots
  • Sow/Plant: Below ground Root plants such as Potatoes, Carrots & Onions.
    Plant trees, shrubs, biennials & perennials.
  • Jobs: Harvest all crops, Fertilize, Transplant, Mow lawns & Prune foliage (to reduce growth).


LAST QUARTER PHASE
Last Quarter -» New Moon
(Waning Crescent)
- Moonlight has decreased
- Gravitational pull has decreased
- Soil absorbs / Earth inhales / Energy draws DOWN into the Roots
  • Barren phase: Time to rest and prepare for the next New Moon.
  • Jobs: Avoid seed sowing.
  • Jobs: Harvest and store crops, Fertilize, Transplant, Destroy weed, Mow lawns & Prune foliage (to reduce growth).
Moon Opposition Saturn
MoonOppositionSaturn SPRAYING DAYS
  • Spraying Biodynamic preparations out during Moon opposition Saturn increases soil activity.
  • The MoonMoon represents fertility and germination, while SaturnSaturn represents form and strong structure.
  • It is also a perfect time to plant seeds out.