The influence of the Moon on Crops

It should be premised that there is still no definitive scientific research confirming the various theories of the moon’s influence on plants. However, contributions from scholars such as Maria Thun, Alex Podolinsky, Harmut Spiess, Ernest Zürcher, Adalbert Graf, and Robert Frederick offer useful insights. These researchers combined science, technology, passion, and spirituality in their theories, arousing both interest and skepticism.

Maria Thun, for example, argued in addition to the famous trigon theory that perigee was a negative period for cultivation, while apogee gave a positive boost of air and light.
Alex Podolinsky confirmed the validity of sowing during the crescent moon, preferably just before the full moon, also sharing Thun’s theories on lunar nodes and trigons. Harmut Spiess suggested sowing 3 or 4 days before the full moon (avoiding this day) and considered sidereal rhythm less important than synodic and tropic rhythm.

In conclusion, although the influence of the moon on plants is not yet fully understood and confirmed, the empirical observations and the theories of researchers offer interesting insights for those who wish to learn more about this fascinating topic.

	A	B
AUTHORS OF THE	EFFECTS ON PLANTS	INDIRECT EFFECTS ON PLANTS
1) INCREASING SYNODIC RHYTHM	The crescent moon stimulates plants and also germination the stimulus increases as moisture increases. Sowings made before the Full Moon starting on the 5th day are most stimulated.	The days before the Full Moon promote life in general, thus also the development of pathogens, insects, pests. So this is the time to spray preventive treatments against fungal diseases. logging done on a crescent moon in the winter period will bring us heavier wood.
2 # WANING SYNODIC RHYTHM	During the waning moon, the Moon’s effects on plants are opposite to those seen above, so there is no growth stimulus, so much so that it is best to avoid sowing seeds before the New Moon.	At this time, and particularly in the days before the New Moon, there is less vital stimulus for pathogens as well. Timber cut at this time will be lighter and more resistant to rot and pest attack. It is during these days that poles for vines should be cut.
3 # ASCENDING RHYTHM	During the Ascending Moon, increased growth of the aerial parts is determined in plants. The earth exhales sending forces to the aerial parts.	This is the ideal time to distribute silica horn, to harvest leafy vegetables, fruits, to make hay, and to collect medicinal plants (aerial parts). According to Maria Thun these effects increase respecting the trigon theory.
4 # DESCENDING RHYTHM	The effects are exactly the opposite to those of the ascending moon and are therefore related to the root system: it is as if the earth inhales sending forces to the root.	This is the ideal time to spray horn manure (possibly respecting the trigons), spread compost, transplant trees, prune shrubs as well, so even the vines. This is the time to harvest root vegetables, preferably in the evening.

5 # MOON NEXT IN APOGEE	Prevailing opinion: intensification of Air forces. With the Moon further away we have an intensification of solar forces.
6 # NEXT MOON IN PERIGEE	Prevailing opinion: intensification of Earth and Water forces. With closer moon, lunar forces are greater. Operating at this time means giving more vigor to plants, but may expose them to more cryptogamic diseases.
7 # LUNAR NODES	Prevailing opinion: negative influences on soil, plants and on fruit organoleptic properties. Best to avoid fixing harvests near nodal points.

I have always been fascinated by the “spirituality” of the moon. However, before harnessing its effects, I focused on studying macro farming operations. I learned how to design an agricultural organism and distribute crops in harmony with the land, how to compost, vitalize the soil, respect the rhythms of plants and so on. Only after that did I turn to lunar directions, performing various experiments both strictly following the directions and (consciously) doing the exact opposite. Here are my current beliefs.

MY OPINION ON THE MATTER

Lumber

I fully agree with the timber theory in points B1 and B2 of the prospectus. If you are not convinced, try it yourself to make the wooden stakes for your vineyard at the two times of the waxing moon, close to the Full Moon, and the waning moon, in the days before the new moon. You will notice that the former begin to rot after four years, while the latter can last up to twenty years without treatment (of course, the duration also depends on the type of soil). If you want to delve deeper into the subject, I recommend the essays by Ernst Zürcher, professor emeritus and great researcher in wood science. Zürcher perfectly combines scientific pragmatism and spirituality, arguing that the health of humanity is inseparable from the health of forests and woodlands. He was one of the first to talk about silvotherapy, the healing approach based on forest theory.

Synodic rhythm

This is the rhythm known to our grandparents, who did not use astronomical calendars but knew that when the Moon was higher in the sky (the highest point is when Moon in Gemini) its strength increased. I am convinced that the crescent moon stimulates plants, as long as there is sufficient moisture. I have noticed that downy mildew, one of the worst diseases in viticulture, intensifies during the Full Moon. If it rains near the Full Moon in May or June, the fungal attack could become very serious, so it is best to protect the plants well at those times. It tends to be the case that treatments during the 15 days of a waxing moon should be more effective than during the same period of a waning moon.
In contrast, during dry periods, the “strength” of the Moon is much less perceptible.

There are definitely places where the “moon forces” are strongest, and not surprisingly, this is in the presence of rivers, lakes even distant ones especially if these are located south of the company.

Sidereal rhythm

I firmly believe in Maria Thun’s studies and research and have no doubts about the cosmic forces she found in her area, as well as the effects of the ascending and descending phases of the Moon. However, I believe that the watchword in any discipline, including agriculture, is to simplify. Being able to perform crop operations with respect to the planets and constellations is very difficult because of the short time windows available. In addition, the effect of constellations is influenced by many other cosmic and terrestrial variables that are difficult to measure.

Apogee and perigee

I strongly believe that operating on plants during the perigee phase leads to sensitive plant development. For this very reason, I prefer to avoid any operation, in the vineyard, especially during the crescent moon phase combined with perigee (I do not want to get vigorous plants but balanced plants capable of giving their best not to shoot growth but to fruit).

Lunar nodes

For us, too, there are “bad days,” as in nature, and these often correspond to lunar nodes. On these days, I prefer not to do anything on my farm either in the field or in the cellar.

CONCLUSIONS

In my experience, the influence of the moon on organic farming should be considered both directly and indirectly. In the latter case, one must ask whether there are days to avoid for certain operations. For example, for the 2024 harvest, I would have avoided September 5 (lunar node + apogee) and September 18 (lunar node). These decisions are easily managed if planned in advance. In addition to avoiding lunar nodes, I would avoid taking action on perigee days.

If I were to plant a vineyard, I would choose a suitable time with a crescent (and possibly descending) Moon. In 2024, a particularly favorable time would be May 8 to 23.

I would arrange green pruning in the waning moon to reduce the lush effect of vine response, and do as much summer work (such as tilling or grass cutting) as possible in the waning moon.

Finally, as far as diseases are concerned, I would be very careful to treat the plants well in the periods before the Full Moon especially that of May and June.

For the harvest, I would favor an Ascending Moon period if possible, after the other steps such as organization in the cellar, required phenolic maturity and weather forecast are well managed.

I hope I have made a contribution and that this article stimulates curiosity, discussion and research.

Campogialli, 8/28/2024