Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Ap toms ready to pick.
will post pic's soon.
AP toms ready before hydro.
jim.

From memory full moon is the 24th dec also the longest daylight day of the year.
Would expect fruiting (seed) to be an optimum picking time. on/after the 24th, any thoughts?

Yeah! If the fruit's ripe, pick it!

Hehehehe you don't like the idea of the moon having an influence do you faye?LOL

I like to keep my options open C1 and just go with the flow.

I thought the moon had more to do with planting. Is it relevant for picking too?

maybe thats why my peppers are growing out of control! The moon penetrates the garage!

Ditto,

though I'd be interested to see what info you have on this C1..

H.

There is another thread ith more detail that Elk did for us.
But yes sowing, harvest, and other times best suited to timing around the moon phases...
I will see what I can dredge up.

Hmm would like to see that. Thanks C1.

Planting by the Moon
With acknowledgements to the contributors to
the Permaculture Association of South Australia's 1988 Calendar.


PLANTING BY THE MOON
This is an ancient planting system known to every early culture throughout the world. Once again it is becoming popular as people search for alternatives to chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and their frightening side effects. Working with the appropriate phase of the Moon for all aspects of planting, cultivation, and harvesting will increase quality as well as quantity in your crops. Many herbalists are using this system and producing vastly more potent medicinal and culinary plants.


The Moon phase is the dominant influence in lunar planting.
The days of Full Moon and New (or Dark) Moon are best avoided. Use them for celebration, or rest and meditation.
Another point worth considering is that Local Time is different from Standard Time. Rather than re-calculating standard time data, at 4 minutes for each 15° of Longitude, it's probably easier to allow a period of, say, an hour either side of the given time for a change of phase or sign. I'll write more about this at a later date for those who are interested

NEW MOON PHASE - 12 hours after Dark Moon to First Quarter
Every living thing feels an upsurge of energy - the sap is rising. A great time to plant or to start any projects, although some believe that it is better to wait until you can actually see the crescent of the New Moon.
Plant, graft and transplant annuals that produce above ground, especially those of a leafy kind that produce seeds outside the fruit, also cereals and grains.
Don't pick anything as it rots too easily at this time. Mow lawns to increase growth. Plants need more oxygen at this time.
The Moon rises and sets with the Sun at this time, and for the first one or two days is invisible. Every night she sets approximately one hour later; and can first been seen as a waxing crescent (increasing in light) close to the Sun, at sunset.

FIRST QUARTER PHASE - First Quarter to 12 hours before Full Moon
The energy (and the sap) is still fresh rising - this is a good phase for starting anything. Plant, graft and transplant annuals that produce above ground, especially of a vine-type with seeds produced inside (like beans, peas, peppers, squash and tomatoes).
Plant cereals and grains. All activities listed for the New Moon phase are just as successful if done now. The last two days of this phase, just before the Full Moon are considered optimum for planting, and grafts take best if done at this time.
By the First quarter phase the Moon is rising at noon, setting at midnight. She slowly grows in light, illuminating the first half of the night sky.

FULL MOON PHASE - 12 hours after Full Moon to Last quarter.
There is a peaking of the electromagnetic energy of all living things at the exact time of the Full Moon, and then a slow withdrawal of energy for the next two weeks, as the Moon wanes.
Plant perennials, biennials, bulb and root crops and anything that produces below ground. The sap flow is downwards into the roots. Pruning is most successful now, and it is an excellent time to harvest all crops. Medicinal herbs and plants are most potent when picked now. This is a great time for sprouting seeds to eat, but not so good for sprouting seeds for planting, as there is a good initial growth spurt with only spindly follow through.
The Full Moon rises brilliant and full at sunset illuminating the sky for the whole night. It will rise later and later in the evening as it moves through its waning phase.

LAST QUARTER PHASE - Last Quarter to 12 hours before Dark Moon
This is a barren phase, where it is most appropriate to rest or to prepare for the next New Moon. It is great for cultivation - pulling weeds, turning the earth, pruning, spraying. Apply organic fertilizers any time during the Waning Moon, from Full Moon onward. Mow lawns to decrease growth.
This is the best phase for harvesting crops that you want to store for a period of time without rotting or losing flavour. Transplant close to the end of this period for an easy recovery with little trauma.
Set fence posts, spread manure. Weeds pulled now have no strength to sprout again.
The Last Quarter Moon rises at midnight in the beginning of the phase, showing us her slowly vanishing crescent in the early morning eastern sky. She then moves closer to the Sun until she becomes visible for the last day or two of the phase. The cycle is complete.

did that help DT