The moon continues to decrease this week with the new moon on Tuesday 27th. The moon is also ascending, the earth is breathing out. We see this as growth activity above the soil surface. Although germination takes place below the ground, it also takes part in this upward striving (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 52). The ascending moon is the time to apply biodynamic preparation 501. This preparation increases photosynthesis in plants and allows for greater uptake of minerals and trace elements in the soil. Look for moon in opposition to Saturn or moon in a leaf sign and apply the preparation in early morning.

On Wednesday and Thursday the moon is in an air sign. On Friday and Saturday, it is in a water sign. On Sunday and Monday, it is in a fire sign and on Tuesday and Wednesday it is in an earth sign.

Traditional cultures that plant with the waxing and waning of the moon, plant those things that produce below the ground during the waning moon and those things that produce above the ground during the waxing of the moon. They also reserve the day of the new moon as a no planting day.

Hartmut Spiess, a researcher who spent many years investigating Maria Thun's work hoping to provide endorsements, found that crops across the spectrum, meaning leaf, root, and fruit, all experienced increased yields when planted around the perigee (Keats). Perigee, the time when the moon is closest to the earth, brings greater moisture and a tendency towards fungus growth (Biodynamic Resource Manual, 53). The perigree this month occurs at 11:02 on Wed 28th. Maybe do some experimenting of your own planting seeds at different times and then observing the plant growth and yield. Labelling the plants or taking notes in a notebook will help you to remember when you planted things and what your observations are.

Hartmut Spiess also noticed improved yields in beans, carrots, and radishes when planted during an ascending moon. Maria Thun recommends sowing seeds during the ascending moon.

We are entering into the main planting season for summer harvest. Crops that can be planted now are potatoes, winter squashes and pumpkins, cucumbers, peas, lettuce and salad greens, radishes, rocket, spinach, beet root, coriander, parsley, celery, silver beet, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, leeks, onions, spring onions, parsnips and zucchini. You may be able to transplant tomatoes into the garden giving them some protection. Look forward to planting sweet corn in the next few weeks.

For more information about our Biodynamic Notes, visit About our Biodynamic Notes

-Biodynamic Notes are compiled using Brian Keats Antipodean Astro Calendar; Maria Thun's Gardening for Life; Biodynamic Agriculture Australia's Biodynamic Resource Manual; Peter Cundall's The Practical Australian Gardener; and the experiences and farm practices on Transition Farm

For more information about the Antipodean Astro Calendar, Biodynamic Planting and research and more visit Brian Keats' website at http://astro-calendar.com/index.htm

For more information about Biodynamics and to purchase biodynamic preparations visit Biodynamic Australia at http://www.biodynamics.net.au/