Moon-gazing: The Harvest Moon
Moon-gazing: the Harvest Full Moon
Full Moon Moments and Gardening by the Moon
About the Harvest Full Moon
While other names for this Full Moon are the Singing Moon, Song Moon, Wine Moon and Barley Moon, mainly this Full Moon is named the Harvest Moon. This is the only Full Moon name that is tied to the Equinox. The Harvest Moon is the Full Moon which is closest to the Autumn Equinox and so in some years this could occur in October.
- The Autumnal Equinox is on 23 September 07:50 BST.
- The Harvest Full Moon is on 29 September at 10:57 BST.
In this blog I use British Summer Time (BST). This is where the Earth Pathways Diary is rooted in the Earth.
The Earth’s bounty
Due to its brightness at this particular time of year, this moon is called the Harvest Moon as it is the best time for farmers to harvest their crops. Since the time of our ancestors, this time has long been associated with abundance, prosperity and gratitude for the Earth’s bounty in providing food for the months ahead.
Celebrating the Harvest Moon
Gather outside with others to celebrate and give thanks for the season’s bounty. Share food and reflect on the abundance in your own life and all that you are harvesting right now.
Tregeseal Circle and Cairn Kenidjack by Sarah Vivian
Gardening by the moon for the coming lunar month
| Full Moon | Third Quarter | New Moon | First Quarter | Full Moon | |||||
| 29 Sep | 10:57 | 6 Oct | 14:47 | 14 Oct | 18:55 | 22 Oct | 04:29 | 28 Oct | 21:24 |
On the day of the Full Moon: Friday 29 Sept
Harvest all parts of the plant that are above ground as this delivers optimum flavour. It also delivers maximum potency for healing herbs and teas. Harvest everything from pumpkins to apples, vine fruits or berries, beans or herbs, or brassicas.
Waning Moon Full Moon to the Third Quarter: 30 Sept to Friday 6 Oct
Root growth is favoured in the week after the Full Moon. So this is good for planting perennial plants that need to be well rooted, for dividing bulbs and planting bulbs, and transplanting plants.
Waning Moon Third Quarter to the New Moon: 7 Oct to Saturday 14 Oct
This is considered a resting period for plants, for slow growth.
Harvest below-ground crops now if you plan to store them as they will last better. Gather in root and bulb crops such as onions, garlic, leeks, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, and carrots.
Prune plants that should re-grow slowly like hedges or lawns. This is the best time to clear weeds that are outcompeting your preferred plants. Or just mulch.
Waxing Moon New Moon to the First Quarter: 15 Oct to Sunday 22 Oct
Harvest all parts of the plant that are above ground - especially if you intend to preserve it in any way. You can sow plants that produce fruit above ground and leaf plants that will overwinter including cereals, grains, and flowers. Sow green manure crops that are intended to provide ground protection.
Prune vines and trees to increase fruiting.
Waxing Moon First Quarter to the Full Moon: 23 Oct to Saturday 28 Oct
Sow and plant plants that will fruit above ground and overwinter in your area. This includes flowers.
Grafting takes best in the two days before Full Moon.
