here is your lunar calendar april 2022 for the garden.
This calendar is based on the biodynamic calendar (based on the work of Maria Thun).
For every day of this month of April 2022 you will find my recommendations for your natural vegetable garden.
Gardening with the Moon – The Basics
Gardening with the moon is fashionable…
Relying on the moon for gardening is for some a belief from another era, for others evidence based on concrete observations…
It is up to everyone to do according to their beliefs and beliefs.
Certain works, notably by biodynamicists, show that the moon, but more generally the stars, would have a certain influence on the plants.
The ancients closely followed the moon phases…
Rather, for biodynamicists, it is the lunar cycle that is important to consider.
I have personally commented that it is better to avoid moon nodes for sowing or planting…
It is also easy to see that a sowing done a few days before the full moon (i.e. in the waxing moon phase) will germinate much faster than a sowing done in the waning phase…
For the rest, I think that these terms are only indications to get the most out of your vegetable garden. It’s up to you to do according to your observations and beliefs…
But don’t forget that common sense must prevail on the moon… For example, if it rains hard the next day after sowing, it may be better to sow the same day.
Moon phases (about 29 1/2 days)
The ancients took the phases of the moon into account when sowing or planting.
- the moon is growing from new moon to full moon. This period is conducive to tilling the land, treatments (herbs of course!), transplanting, planting and sowing fruiting vegetables. Vegetables harvested on a crescent moon keep better.
- she is diminishing from full moon to new moon. This period is conducive to sowing what should not be sown (salads, spinach, onions). This is also the ideal time to work the land, harvest crops (increased flavour) or even prune the trees and shrubs you want to limit the growth of.
Lunar cycle (about 26 days)
The work of biodynamicists shows a priori a greater influence of lunar cycles on plants.
The lunar cycle describes the path of the moon in the sky:
- She’s said Ascending* (or increasing) when the trajectory is higher from day to day. The sap then rises in the plant. This period is conducive to sowing, planting bulbs, grafting or harvesting fruits and vegetables for fresh consumption.
- Conversely, it is said: descending* when the day-to-day trajectory is lower. The juice sinks to the roots. Then it is time to plant, transplant, take cuttings, layer, prune, till the land and add organic matter.
* To determine whether the moon is rising or falling: observe its position in the sky relative to a fixed point (the top of a tree, a hill, etc.) at a given time. Observe its position the next day, but 2 hours later: when the moon is higher, it rises; if it is lower, it is decreasing.
special days
- Avoid sowing on days of new moons†
- When the moon is in Highlightavoid sowing.
- When the moon is in perigee (especially after a full moon) this is a risky situation for plants that are susceptible to cryptogamic diseases. This increased lunar activity can develop such diseases. Vegetable sprays should therefore be used preventively (eg decoction of horsetail horsetail on the ground for tomatoes to prevent mildew). It is also a good day for sowing, except for plants prone to cryptogamic diseases.
- If there is an unfavorable day (moon knot ) avoid gardening.
The moon and the signs of the zodiac
The moon revolves around the earth in 27 days and thus passes in front of each of the twelve constellations of the zodiac.
Thus, the different elements are associated with 3 signs of the zodiac:
- To the constellations of the earth(Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn) we associate root vegetables (garlic, beets, carrots, turnips, shallots, onions, radishes, potatoes) and bulbous flowers.
- To the constellations of the sky (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) correspond flower vegetables as well as annual and perennial flowers, flowering trees and shrubs, and aromatic and medicinal plants from which the flowers are harvested.
- To the constellations of water (Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio) correspond leafy vegetables (artichoke, celery, chicory, cabbage, watercress, spinach, lettuce, leek) and aromatic and medicinal plants from which the leaves are harvested.
- To the constellations of fire (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius) we associate fruit plants (eggplant, cereals, cucumber, pumpkin, broad bean, strawberry, raspberry, bean, melon, pepper, peas, pumpkin, tomatoes) and fruit trees.
Personally, I mainly use the lunar calendar as a planning tool for my crops.
I try to respect the planting and sowing periods as much as possible, as well as days for fruits, roots, leaves or flowers… if the weather, the progress of my work (if the land is not ready for sowing, it is better to wait until then to sow in bad conditions!) or even my availability (materially but also psychologically… we are more successful at sowing when we have good energy for it) allow it.
Basically, I don’t think of this lunar garden calendar as an absolute rule, but rather as a simple guide.
My only “prohibition” is the days of lunar or planetary knots…
Lunar calendar April 2022 (PDF)
Here is your April 2022 lunar calendar for the garden:
Lunar calendar April 2022 – PDF
This April 2022 lunar calendar, like all calendars for the current year, is available on the Training Area from the beginning of the year.
Organize your gardening season as best you can by relying on Nicolas Larzillière’s garden notebook.
Note: The impact of the moon on crops is very relative. The first condition for good harvests is above all good cultural practices.
