Why plant by the phases and signs?

One of the questions I'm asked most frequently is, "Why should I plant by the phases of the moon and signs of the zodiac?" Then that's typically followed by a silly little quip like, "I plant in the ground, not in the moon." That was funny the first hundred or so times I heard it! I plant in the ground just like everyone else, too.

I'm going to make my case for following the moon signs and zodiac phases when you plant and why I follow the system as simply as I can: It works! How's that for simple? One step further: All it requires is to plant on the days I suggest you plant – or if you don't like what I say, then plant when the Almanac tells you.

Everyone who follows signs and phases has a system that works for them, chances are developed over a long period of time, which included reading, talking to other "believers" and, most importantly, planting in our own gardens. I'm not going to ask you to do one thing other than that: Just plant on days most favorable for planting and avoid days when killing signs rule.

If I was suggesting you break up the sidewalk and plant your tomatoes in the rubble according to the phases and signs, then you'd have cause to think I was a bit daffy. Or, just say, I was suggesting you not water, cultivate or fertilize your garden when needed, just plant according to phases and signs then Big Brother who hosts this site should have me removed for disseminating false advice.

Planting by moon phases and zodiac signs doesn't replace good gardening practices, it just gives you an extra little boost and because it's hard to explain there are those skeptics who say if you can't explain it then why use it?

You know, I can't "explain" God either, but I believe in His existence – or Hers, if you prefer!

When folks say to me that following astrological charts to plant is sacrilegious I simply point them to the third chapter of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes where the theme is "... to everything there is a season ..." And one of the aspects of that thought is, "...a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted."

And for those of you whose faith system is based in something other than Judeo-Christian teachings then I imagine in your sacred writings there's something similar to the Ecclesiastes passage. Of course if you're atheist or agnostic it doesn't matter, so I don't have to try to convince you from the religion side of the equation!

In summary: All I ask is for you to please just give the phases and signs a try. Prepare your garden as you always have, assemble your seeds and plants when the season's right and THEN just set out those plants or sew those seeds when the moon's in the light phase for veggies that produce above the ground (like tomatoes) and in the dark phase for those that produce below the ground (like potatoes).

Add to that simply planting on days ruled by fertile signs of the zodiac and you have it: Your good garden, if properly tended and loved, just got lots better!

And I'll tell you which days are ruled by the best signs. All you need do – since you're already Internet friendly – is visit my twitter account and head for the garden. I'm tweeting @plantingbysigns.

How about it? More on my next blog posting.