|
|
Harvesting and Preservation
Harvest and preserve your bounty by following the moon and stars.
Harvesting and Preserving Crops by Moon Phases and Zodiac SignsJust as the moon and zodiac signs affect the planting and growth of your garden they also provide a window in which to harvest your crops. The natural rhythm of sun, moon and stars influences every aspect of plant growth, including the times best suited for gathering up the bounty of your labors.The best way to preserve your harvest is to follow natureThere are times when the process of food preservation is said to be more successful. It follows that the best time to preserve your harvest should compliment the pattern established by nature. In other words, when harvesting is done in time with the natural rhythm of plant growth, crops will be more likely to store and/or preserve well.Harvesting by Moon and Stars
Using the moon and stars as a guide to your crop harvest the following principles apply.
- Fruit and vegetables - Harvesting in the dry air (i.e. Libra, Aquarius and Gemini) and fire signs (i.e. Aries, Leo and Sagittarius) in the fourth quarter moon phase helps in the preservation of fruit and vegetables.
- Fruits picked during a waning moon phase will cause any damage that occurs to dry up and not rot.
- Do not harvest fruit, grain, and vegetables in the watery signs (i.e. Cancer, Pisces, and Scorpio) or during the new moon. They will either decay or sprout.
- Root crops - Gather root crops (See: Below Ground Crops) in the last quarter moon phase. They will store better if they are harvested when the signs are barren (i.e. Libra, Aquarius, Gemini, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius).
- Harvesting most crops during the waning moon is best. They will keep better and last longer.
- Seed and grain - Seed and grain should be harvested during the time of the new moon.
- Bark should be taken when the plant is dormant, in fall or early spring. It should be harvested during a waning moon and when the zodiac signs of Aries, Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius, or Aquarius are in the sky.
- Leaves and flowers - Leaves and flowers for fresh use or freezing should be picked in the morning after the dew has dried and the essential oils are at their peak. This is best done when the moon is waxing and in one of the zodiac signs of Taurus, Cancer, Libra, Scorpio, or Pisces.
- Leaves and flowers used for drying should also be picked in the morning after the dew has evaporated. Do this when the moon is waning and in one of the zodiac signs - Aries, Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius, or Aquarius.
- Roots should be harvested during their dormancy in the fall or early spring. Pick them when the moon is waxing and nearly full in either Aries, Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius, or Aquarius.
- Seeds should be harvested when they are fully ripe and falling off of the plant. This should be done when the moon is waning and in Aries, Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius, or Aquarius.
- Wood to be used for heating or lumber should be felled when the moon is waning. Timber will keep longest if it is cut towards the end of the winter. This will prevent its rotting, and it will become hard and durable.
|
