CHARLOTTE – The “Old” Farmer’s Almanac has been around for 230 years and the “New” Farmer’s Almanac for 204 years. Both claim an 80% – 85% accuracy rate for their predictions. The predictions are determined by combining solar science, lunar activity, and meteorology.  Their planting calendars help you pick the best dates for your gardening tasks. They both serve the purpose of supplying farmers and gardeners predictions for the year about growing conditions, what to grow and when.

Planting according to the moon phases are a major part of these predictions. The concept of planting by the moon is not new. It has been practiced since ancient times, dating back to the Babylonian era. Some of this thinking is embedded in astrology. Astrology is a science that believes the moon influences many areas of our lives.

For gardening there are some scientific roots. The lunar gravitational pull influences tides and ocean levels. Water is also pulled upward in the soil by the same gravitational forces. This, in turn, brings moisture to newly planted seeds.

Planting by moon phases is a simple concept. Here is all there is to it:

Plant above ground crops during the “Waxing” or rising moon. This is a period of increasing light from the new moon to the full moon. Plant root crops during the “Waning” or declining moon. This is from the full moon to the new moon when the moonlight is declining.

Scientific studies have shown this gardening concept has merit and many gardeners swear by it and plant by it.

Does it truly work? Give it a try and then you decide.