Lunar gardening

July 17, 2003 7:43 PM

Lunar gardening is the oldest form of gardening known to man, the practice centers on the moon's gravitational effect on the flow of moisture in soil and plants and, to a lesser degree, the effect of moonlight on seed germination. "I've got a large area in potatoes. We've got some planted at the right time of the moon and some crops at the wrong time of the moon. The difference is so obvious and there for everybody to see"
posted by stbalbach (11 comments total)

A colleage once showed me a journal paper claiming to have measured the influence of the moon's gravity on xylem flow in large trees. We had a chuckle at the time, but I guess anything's possible.

I'd like to see a more scientific investigation of Harris's potato plantings - the exact timing of rainfall events (my key area of research) or temperature regime could also have an influence on crop growth, resulting in differential growth between crops planted at different times.
posted by Jimbob at 8:03 PM on July 17, 2003

Um, the ground is the oldest toilet known to man, but I don't use it. Most of the time, anyway.,
posted by Sidhedevil at 8:25 PM on July 17, 2003

The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0068528
posted by arse_hat at 9:28 PM on July 17, 2003

The phrase "lunar gardening" has me wanting to put on my Morticia dress, and go cut the heads off the rosebushes. Wheeeee!
posted by dejah420 at 10:17 PM on July 17, 2003

good for you stbalbach - any fpp about gardening get a thumbs up from this cat ... ill try it.

question - what percentage of the mefi crew have gardens?
posted by specialk420 at 10:20 PM on July 17, 2003

"Lunar gardening is the oldest form of gardening known to man"

And the evidence for this is ... ?
posted by raygirvan at 2:41 AM on July 18, 2003

And the evidence for this is ... ?

er, it was invented by prostitutes?
posted by dorian at 3:04 AM on July 18, 2003

Fair enough. It does sound like a euphemism for the rhythm method.
posted by raygirvan at 3:47 AM on July 18, 2003

question - what percentage of the mefi crew have gardens?

I have roses, lilies, daffodils and willow trees outside, and orchids, mini roses and climbing plants inside...but not so much a garden per se. I wish I had a veggie garden, but the homeowner's association won't allow it.
posted by dejah420 at 6:06 AM on July 18, 2003

I have pear trees and lilacs out front and a splendid collection of weeds in the back yard. I grow herbs inside along with several dozen assorted houseplants, mostly African violets. No garden but am building boxes right now for a veggie garden. Mmmm fresh tomatoes & zucchini.
posted by littlegirlblue at 6:47 AM on July 18, 2003

We ankled up the garbage sound, but they were busy in the rows.
We fell up, not to see the sun, gardening at night just didn't grow.
     - R.E.M. "Gardening at Night"

I used to have a garden, but it got too big and now it's a farm.
posted by ewagoner at 7:27 AM on July 18, 2003