Best days to plant root crops by the Moon · next 60 days

Days are worked out for America/New York, at local noon.

What the eight Moon phases mean

Old almanac lore, not science. The last column is the next time each phase shows at noon in your time zone.

PhaseWhat you seeAlmanac loreNext
New MoonThe Moon is dark and almost invisible.Old almanac lore treats it as a time to rest, plan and start something quietly.Nov 7 – Nov 10
Waxing CrescentA thin sliver lit on the right (northern hemisphere), growing each night.Lore calls it a time to set intentions and begin building.Nov 11 – Nov 14
First QuarterHalf the disc is lit; the Moon is high at sunset.Lore calls it a time to act, decide and push through obstacles.Nov 15 – Nov 18
Waxing GibbousMore than half is lit and still growing.Lore calls it a time to refine, adjust and get ready for the peak.Nov 19 – Nov 22
Full MoonThe whole disc is lit and rises around sunset.Lore calls it a time of peak, completion and celebration.Oct 27
Waning GibbousMore than half is lit, but shrinking each night.Lore calls it a time to share, give thanks and pass things on.Oct 28 – Oct 30
Last QuarterHalf the disc is lit again, on the opposite side from the first quarter.Lore calls it a time to let go, review and clear away what no longer works.Oct 31 – Nov 2
Waning CrescentA thin sliver before dawn, fading toward the next New Moon.Lore calls it a time to rest, finish up and prepare for a new cycle.Nov 3 – Nov 6

Questions

This list picks out days in the coming weeks when Moon lore favors putting carrots, beets, potatoes, onions and other root crops in the ground, with the reason shown for each day. Scan the dates, check the note beside each one, and add the ones that suit your garden to your phone calendar.

Which days in the next 60 are best to plant root crops?

By traditional Moon-sign and phase lore, 20 days from Tue, Oct 27 to Fri, Dec 25 rate good or better. The nearest is Tue, Oct 27; the top pick is Fri, Oct 30.

How are Moon days worked out?

We take the Moon’s sign and phase at local noon in America/New York. If the Moon changes sign within two minutes of noon, the day is rated on the less favorable side.

Is this science?

No. It follows old almanac lore about the Moon. The Moon positions are real astronomy; the meaning given to them is tradition.

When to plant root crops by the Moon?

In Moon lore, root crops go in while the Moon is waning, between full Moon and new Moon. Tradition also looks at the Moon sign on that day. The best days combine a waning Moon with one of the favored signs.

Which Moon signs are good for root crops?

Moon lore names Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces as the best signs for planting root crops. Tradition calls them fruitful water signs. Taurus, Libra and Capricorn are listed as good, a step below the best.

Should root crops go in on a waxing or waning Moon?

Tradition says waning. Moon lore plants root crops and bulbs while the Moon shrinks from full to new. A waxing Moon is the time lore keeps for other kinds of planting.

What is the best Moon phase to plant vegetables?

It depends on the kind of vegetable in Moon lore. For crops that grow below the ground, such as root crops and bulbs, tradition points to the waning Moon. Practice varies among gardeners, and this list covers root crops only.

Are any Moon signs ruled out for planting root crops?

No. Moon lore for this activity does not rule out any sign, so no day is dropped for its sign. Days differ only in how favorable they are, with Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces ranked highest.