Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

The Best Days to Plant Vegetables

...
moon image by Kaarel from Fotolia.com

Planting at certain times and days, according to the phase of the moon, gives better results than others. The best way to understand when to plant vegetables is to remember that when the moon is growing from new to full, vegetables and other plants will grow better. However, in modern times, our lives don’t center on moon phases and agriculture anymore, so you may not be able to follow this ancient wisdom. The best days may have to be those that fit into your schedule.

Planting With the Moon

It’s always a good idea to consult the current Farmer’s Almanac to find which days are the best to plant specific kinds of vegetables and fruits. The plants can roughly be divided into above-ground crops, like celery; root crops, like potatoes; and leafy crops, like lettuce. Planting periods are usually two to three days long, interspersed with barren periods. A good rule of thumb is not to plant anything in the period from the full to the new moon, when the moon is waning, as planting during this time slows growth and germination.

  • Planting at certain times and days, according to the phase of the moon, gives better results than others.
  • A good rule of thumb is not to plant anything in the period from the full to the new moon, when the moon is waning, as planting during this time slows growth and germination.

Days of the Week

Historically, certain days of the week are considered better for planting than others. These are suggested based on ancient religions, and are in fact the origin for some of the names we use for days of the week. A good example is Sunday. Now a day of rest for many, its name tells a different story; it is associated with the sun and growth, making it a good planting day. Monday, or the moon’s day, also is associated with growth and fertility, and would be a good planting day in ancient tradition. Root crops might be put in on a Saturday, because of that day’s association with the underground.

Your Weekends

For working gardeners, the simple fact remains that you will most likely have time to put into a vegetable garden on the weekend. There’s nothing wrong with doing it on your own time rather than by the phase of the moon or by religious traditions. You may want to combine the time that you have free with the phases of the moon or other traditions, if that’s possible for you. However, vegetables will produce if you take the time to plant them under good conditions and follow their food, water and sun requirements.

  • Historically, certain days of the week are considered better for planting than others.
  • You may want to combine the time that you have free with the phases of the moon or other traditions, if that’s possible for you.

Related Articles

The History of Forget Me Not Flowers
The History of Forget Me Not Flowers
The Best Days of the Month to Plant Below Ground Vegetables
The Best Days of the Month to Plant Below Ground Vegetables
What Time of Day Should I Plant Flowers?
What Time of Day Should I Plant Flowers?
Planting Vegetables by the Moon Cycle
Planting Vegetables by the Moon Cycle
Corn Planting Dates in Georgia
Corn Planting Dates in Georgia
How to Program a Toro GreenKeeper Control Box for a Sprinkler System
How to Program a Toro GreenKeeper Control Box for a...
What is the Meaning of the Morning Glory Flower?
What is the Meaning of the Morning Glory Flower?
The Best Vegetables to Grow in Virginia
The Best Vegetables to Grow in Virginia
Vegetable Planting Dates for South Carolina
Vegetable Planting Dates for South Carolina
When Is the Sun the Strongest During the Day?
When Is the Sun the Strongest During the Day?
The History of the Carnation Flower
The History of the Carnation Flower
Difference Between Night Blooming Plants & Day Blooming Plants
Difference Between Night Blooming Plants & Day Blooming...
History of the Pea Plant
History of the Pea Plant
Vegetable Planting Seasons for the Gulf Coast
Vegetable Planting Seasons for the Gulf Coast
The Best Vegetables to Grow in New Jersey
The Best Vegetables to Grow in New Jersey
What Is the Meaning of Lily of the Valley?
What Is the Meaning of Lily of the Valley?
What Stage of Flowering Do the Buds Begin to Swell?
What Stage of Flowering Do the Buds Begin to Swell?
What Are the Benefits of Butterfly Gardens to the Environment?
What Are the Benefits of Butterfly Gardens to the Environment?
Garden Guides
×