Here is the Moon Calendar, the Biodynamic system, the one I use.
One of the element in Biodynamic, is the planting calendar, which has to do with the cosmic timing of activities in the garden, much of the timing for work to be carried out according to the biodynamic system is to do with the movement of the moon through the Zodiac.
April 1
Leaf day
Sign Scorpio
Moon Waning gibbous
Synodic:
Sow root vegetables, berries, bulbs, onions, biennials, and perennials.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Scorpio: Water sign. Sow Leaf plants Cabbages, Celery, Dill, Lettuce, Rhubarb, Spinach . Do not sow Fruit plants: Aubergines, Broad Beans, Cucumber, Peas,Peppers, Tomatoes.
Sidereal:
Moon in Scorpio: excellent for planting, germination and strong sturdy growth will result.
Moon Gardening Calendar April 2013
Farmers Almanac April 2013
1st Barren Day. Do No Planting.
2nd-4th Favorable Days For Planting Beets, Carrots, Turnips, Radishes, Onions, And Other Root Crops.
5th-6thh Excellent Time To Kill Weeds, Briars, Poison Ivy, And Other Plant Pests.
7th-9th Favorable Days For Planting Root Crops, Extra Good For Vine Crops. Set Strawberry Plants. Good Days For Transplanting.
10th-11th Poor Planting Day. Break Ground Or Cultivate.
12th-13th Favorable For Planting Beans, Corn, Cotton, Tomatoes, Peppers, And Other Aboveground Crops.
14th-16th Poor Days For Planting, Seeds Tend To Rot In The Ground.
17th-18th Plant Tomatoes, Beans, Peppers, Corn, Cotton, And Other Aboveground Crops On These Most Fruitful Days. Plant Seedbeds. Start Flower Gardens.
19th-22nd Grub Out Weeds, Briars, And Other Plant Pests.
23rd-24th Plant Corn, Melons, Squash, Tomatoes, And Other Aboveground Crops. A Favorable Time For Sowing Grains, Hay And Fodder Crops. Plant Flowers.
25th-26th Good Days For Planting Beets, Carrots, Radishes, Turnips, Peanuts, And Other Root Crops. Also Good For Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Kale, Celery, And Other Leafy Vegetables. Start Seedbeds. Good Days For Transplanting.
27th-29th Barren Days. Do No Planting.
30th Favorable Day For Planting Beets, Carrots, Turnips, Radishes, Onions, And Other Root Crops.
April 2 - 3
Fruit day
Sign Sagittarius
Moon Last quarter
Synodic:
Garden maintenance, harvest, composting, weeding.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Sagittarius: Fire sign. Sow Fruit plants: Aubergines, Broad Beans, Cucumber,Peas, Peppers, Tomatoes. Do not sow Leaf plants: cabbages, lettuce ...
Sidereal:
Moon in Sagittarius: Dry and barren. Plant onion sets and bulbs.
April 4 - 5 - 6
Root day
Sign Capricorn
Moon Last quarter
Synodic:
Garden maintenance, harvest, composting, weeding.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Capricorn: Earth sign. Sow Root plants: Asparagus, Beetroot, Carrots, ….. Do not sow Flower plants: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Globe Artichokes.
Sidereal:
Moon in Capricorn: Potatoes and tubers planted now will have a strong growth.
Thanks so much for the new month.
My pleasure, keep on gardening!
cristina
April 7 - 8
Flower day
Sign Aquarius
Moon Waning crescent
Synodic:
Garden maintenance, harvest, composting, weeding.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Aquarius: Air sign. Sow Flower plants: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Globe Artichokes. Do not sow Root plants: Asparagus, Beetroot, Carrots, Chives....
Sidereal:
Moon in Aquarius: Dry and barren. Garden maintenance.
Thanks, Cristina! Wow, your notice of the Zodiac sign harkens back to my Hippie days...wow. So nice. I totally believe in this type of gardening, and really are appreciate of your dedication. My veggie garden is almost ready to plant, my seedlings are inside but HUGE, and it is suddenly getting warm!
This year, the Spring has been what it USED TO BE in Virginia - the classic cold Spring. Threw me off in starting my seeds, and we don't know if the Tidal Basin Cherry Trees will EVER bloom (in Washington, D.C.), but it is coming together at this very minute!
And, my asparagus is peeking up from the dark soil to greet the Sun, and me, for that matter!
Gracye this year I am sure you will have large, healthy plants and vegetables, the Zodiac help the moon to give us good produce, enjoy. And soon your weather will be nice and warm!
April 9 - 10
Leaf day
Sign Pisces
Moon New Moon
Synodic:
Sow leafy vegetables and annuals: Lettuce, Spinach, Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Sprouts, Sweetcorn, Cucumber also Grains. Vegetables and fruit harvested will store well.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Pisces: Water sign. Sow Leaf plants: Basil, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Celery, Dill, Kale, Lettuce, Rhubarb, Spinach ... Do not sow Fruit plants: Aubergines, Beans, Cucumber, Peas. Fruits harvested now will store for longer.
Sidereal:
Moon in Pisces: This water sign promotes root growth.
Cristina, please educate me. What does "Synodic" and "Sidereal" mean?
Synodic cycle is only concerning the Moon phaces, is the simple form of Gardening by the Moon that groups the plants and tells in which moon phase to plant them, The time in between 2 Full Moon takes about 29,53 days and that is a Synodic month.
Sidereal is also another way of Gardening by the Moon, The Lunar Sidereal Period is the time it takes the Moon to complete one orbit around the Earth with respect to the stars, Problem 1 is that Moon's Sidereal period = 27.3 days or what is called the "Sidereal Month". Problem 2 is because the time is too short (27.3 days) it does not "fall" at the time that the Moon is.
Some people follows them but to me both have more negatives than positives points... in my opinion I prefer the Synodic if I was in need to use it or if I am at a loss, but the biodynamic combine not only the Moon phases but also the influece of the constellation that the Moon is crossing in the sky. Is the method that Rudolf Steiner developed in 1924, also biodynamic consider the influences of Venus and Saturn upon the earth,hence the plants.
I hope that I was clear enough.
Cristina, so happy for your posts. I have the biodynamic sowing and planting calendar but if I had known you posted here I would have just used this!
It's been a hard year to follow with the weather though. I was very strict last year on following it, this year I've had to fudge a bit...hoping I still get as good of results as I did last year!
abhege good to see you around.
The weather is a problem all over. Around here also is so difficult to predict that is better not to worry about and do what you can.
I am sowing my autumn vegetable garden and hope they will do fine, Up to now all is good and no real cold weather has hit us up to now. You know that here, in the southern hemisphere we are heading for winter and real cold weather,while you will be getting all the sun and hot days ahead.
April 11 - 12 - 13
Fruit day
Sign Aries
Moon New Moon
Synodic:
Sow leafy vegetables and annuals: Lettuce, Spinach, Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Sprouts, Sweetcorn, Cucumber. Grains . Harvested vegetables will keep well if they are to be stored.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Aries: Fire sign. Sow Fruit plants: Aubergines, Cucumber, Beans, Marrow, Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Runner Beans,Squash, Sweetcorn, Tomatoes. Do not sow Leaf plants: Basil, Brussels Sprouts,Cabbages. Fruits harvested will store for longer.
Sidereal:
Moon in Aries: Dry and barren. Garden maintenance.
Hello Cristina, thank you for the thorough explanation - settles my mind as to all of this as my initial fascination is worn off and I am ready for a commitment to one system. I will go with the Biodynamic System, as you have, for the same reasons.
Now, a question - how about sowing grass/lawn seeds?
Gracye, grass, lawns, hedges and grains are always for planting on Leaf days.
With Biodynamic you cannot go wrong.
Fruit Days
FRUIT are associated with the Fire constellations (Aries,Leo, Saggitarius).
Warmth or fire signs are favourable for fruit plants. The Moon's influence is channeled into the fruit and seed of the plant.
Use Fruit Days for all fruits (currant, cranberry, strawberries, raspberries, apples, plums, figs, apples, grape vines, pear, cherries etc, etc )....as well as all fruiting vegetables plants whose seed fruit we harvest: buckwheat, beans, broad bean, peas, grains, cucumbers, squashes, lentils, corn, peppers, capsicums, rice, soya, tomatoes, courgettes, pumpkins. zucchini, strawberries and all fruit trees that I did not mention.
Another question - is SOWING the same as PLANTING? For instance, I have some seedlings of Tomatoes, Squash, Herbs, and wonder about when to plant 'em?
Thank you for your patience, Cristina, I am trying to figure this all out!
sowing and planting are one and the same thing in biodynamic.
I do sow seeds just before the full moon on the appropiate day and transplant just before the new moon.
April 14 - 15
Root day
Sign Taurus
Moon Waxing crescent
Synodic:
Sow leafy vegetables and annuals: Lettuce, Spinach, Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Sprouts, Sweetcorn, Cucumber. Grains.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Taurus: Earth sign. Sow Root plants: Asparagus, Beetroot, Carrots, Kohl Rabi, Leeks, Onions, Parsnips, Potatoes ... Do not sow Flower plants: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Globe Artichokes
Sidereal:
Moon in Taurus: Sow Root vegetable crops especially when hardiness in drought conditions is needed.
April 16 - 17 - 18
Flower day
Sign Gemini
Moon First quarter
Synodic:
This is a good time to sow vegetables:Tomatoes, beans, peas, peppers, chillis, pumpkins, courgettes.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Gemini: Air sign. Sow Flower plants: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Globe Artichokes. Do not sow Root plants: Asparagus, Beetroot, Carrots, Chives, Onions, Parsnips,Potatoes ….
Sidereal:
Moon in Gemini: Barren and dry. This sign promotes flower growth.
April 19 - 20
Leaf day
Sign Cancer
Moon First quarter
Synodic:
Sow vegetables with seed bearing fruits. Tomatoes, beans, peas, peppers, chillis, pumpkins, courgettes.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Cancer: Water sign. Sow Leaf plants: Basil, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Celery, Spinach ….. Do not sow Fruiting plants likeAubergines, Broad Beans , Cucumber, Tomatoes,
Sidereal:
Moon in Cancer: One of the best Sign for germination and planting
April 21 - 22
Fruit day
Sign Leo
Moon Waxing gibbous
Synodic:
Sow vegetables with seed bearing fruits. Tomatoes, beans, peas, peppers, chillis, pumpkins, courgettes.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Leo: Fire sign. Sow Fruit plants: Aubergines, any type of Beans, Cucumber, Marrow, Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Sweetcorn, Tomatoes. Do not sow Leaf plants: Basil, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Dill, Lettuce …
Sidereal:
Moon in Leo: Dry and barren. Garden maintenance.
April 23 - 24
Root day
Sign Virgo
Moon Waxing gibbous
Synodic:
Sow vegetables with seed bearing fruits. Tomatoes, beans, peas, peppers, chillis, pumpkins, courgettes.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Virgo: Earth sign. Sow Root plants: Asparagus, Beetroot, Carrots, Chives, Leeks, Onions, Parsnips, Potatoes, Shallots, Swedes Turnips. Do not sow Flower plants: Broccoli, Cauliflower...chokes,
Sidereal:
Moon in Virgo: Dry and barren. Garden maintenance.
April 25 - 26
Flower day
Sign Libra
Moon Full Moon
Synodic:
Sow root vegetables, berries, bulbs, onions, biennials, and perennials.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Libra: Air sign. Sow Flower plants: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Globe Artichokes. Do not sow Root plants: Beetroot, Carrots, Potatoes ….
Sidereal:
Moon in Virgo: Dry and barren. Garden maintenance.
This message was edited Apr 23, 2013 8:30 PM
April 27 - 28 - 29
Leaf day
Sign Scorpio
Moon Waning gibbous
Synodic:
Sow root vegetables, berries, bulbs, onions, biennials, and perennials.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Scorpio: Water sign. Sow Leaf plants: Basil, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Celeriac, Celery, Dill, Kale, Lettuce, Rhubarb, Spinach, Swiss Chard. Do not sow Fruit plants: Broad Beans, Cucumber, Beans, Marrow,Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Sweetcorn,Tomatoes.
Sidereal:
Moon in Scorpio: A beneficial Sign for planting, germination and strong sturdy growth will result.
April 30
Fruit day
Sign Sagittarius
Moon Waning gibbous
Synodic:
Sow root vegetables, berries, bulbs, onions, biennials, and perennials.
Biodynamic:
Moon in Sagittarius: Fire sign. Sow Fruit plants: Aubergines, Broad Beans, Cucumber, Beans, Marrow, Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Squash, Sweetcorn, Tomatoes. Do not sow Leaf plants: Basil, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Lettuce....
Sidereal:
Moon in Sagittarius: Dry and barren. You can plant onion sets and bulbs.