Each quarter phase has its own benefits in Lunar Gardening.

The Lunar Phases

• From the New Moon until the first quarter is called the first quarter increasing. Sow and transplant plants that produce their seeds on the outside, such as lettuce, broccoli, annual flowers and herbs. Planting now encourages balanced leaf and root growth.
  
  
• From the first quarter moon until the Full Moon is called the second quarter increasing. During this quarter plant plants that set seeds inside a pod or skin such as beans, tomatoes, squash and cucumbers. Planting now encourages strong leaf growth.
  
  
• From the Full Moon until the third quarter moon is called the third quarter decreasing. Plant all vegetable root crops such as potatoes, onions, radishes and beets, also Perennial flowers, flower bulbs, shrubs and trees. Planting now encourages root growth.
  
  
• From the third quarter moon until the New Moon is called the fourth quarter decreasing. Not a good time to plant but an excellent time for garden clean up. It's said that weeds pulled during the fourth quarter wont come back. This is a good time to mow lawns to slow their growth.
  

The movement of the moon has a undeniable connection with the rising and falling of the tides. It doesn't stop there, all water is affected by the movement of the moon. Both the sun and moon produce a magnetic pull that affect our waters. Although the sun is much larger, the moon is much closer to earth and so its pull is felt more strongly. The magnetic pull of the moon affects bodies of water both large and small on the Earth, it also affects the water within it. Crops planted during the waxing moon, when the water is rising, have a easier time taking up water than those planted during a waning moon. Crops that need more water should be planting during a waxing phase. During the waxing phase fluids are drawn up from the earth, this is the best time to plant above ground crops that have shallow root systems. Only plants that can thrive in dry conditions should be planted during a waning moon. During the waning phase fluids flow down into the roots, this is the best time to plant below ground crops that have deeper of more developed root systems such as trees. The last quarter is a time to cultivate the soil, weed, destroy growths that we find undesirable. It is also a good time to start compost heaps and worm beds.

Our Zodiac is broken into twelve signs, each sign is ruled by a planet and each of these signs dominates a period of the year. Each sign also appears once a month or more for about 2 1/2 days. Although not as strong as the affect on Earth from our Moon, these planets affect not only the tides but also lunar winds. We may not realize it but they affect our weather.

During the phases of the moon we have the signs of the Zodiac with each having its own particular qualities.

• Cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn compare to the four cardinal points of the compass. They are often called leading, moving, acute or initiating signs.
• Fixed signs: Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius and Taurus represent a balance of conflicting forces. They are often called foundation signs. It is believed that earthquakes occur more frequently when the sun or moon is in a fixed sign. These signs are great reservoirs of energy and considered the powerhouses of the Zodiac.
• Mutable signs: Sagittarius, Pisces, Gemini and Virgo are quick and versatile, they are mediators between the cardinal and fixed signs. During mutable signs , there is a slowing down in readiness to turn to the next sign.

Taurus is moist, semi-fertile, earthy and feminine. It is good for planting many crops, especially root crops, but also leafy vegetables and flowers.

Gemini is dry, barren, airy and masculine, and nether good for planting or transplanting. During this time cultivate and destroy noxious growth, weeds and pests. Melon seeds are said to respond well in this sign.

Cancer is moist, fertile, watery and feminine. It is the most productive of all the signs and most frequently used for planting, seeding, transplanting, grafting and irrigation.

Leo is dry, the most barren of all the signs, fiery and masculine. Not a good time for anything except exterminating weeds and noxious growth, harvesting and cultivating.

Virgo is a moist, barren, earthy and feminine, a good sign for destroying weeds and pests, vegetables wont do well if planted in Virgo, but many flowers and vines will, it is seen as a good planting sign.

Libra is moist, semi-fertile, airy and masculine. Its a good time to plant for root crops and plants for pulp growth such as trees, it is also a good sign for planting beautiful and fragrant flowers, vines and herbs.

Scorpio is moist, fertile, watery and feminine, almost as productive as Cancer. It is the best planting sign for sturdy plants and vines. Most vegetables and flowers grow in abundance planted now. Tomatoes transplanted in Scorpio do especially well, it is also excellent for corn and squash. Grafting or pruning during the third and fourth quarter will retard growth and promote better fruit. This is a good sign for irrigation and transplanting, but don't dig root crops such as potatoes.

Sagittarius is barren, dry, fiery and masculine , it's a good time for cultivation and harvesting and planting "fiery" crops such as chili, garlic, onions and radishes. Fruit trees also do well when planted here.

Capricorn is semi-moist, semi-fertile, earthy and feminine, an especially good time for planting tubers, potatoes and other root crops, stone fruit trees and bulbs. Capricorn encourages hardy growth. Good for grafting, and pruning to promote healing, and applying organic fertilizer.

Aquarius is dry, barren, airy and masculine and best for extermination of pests, harvesting and cultivation. Some say onion sets can be planted during an Aquarius moon. This is a good time to harvest root and fruin crops for storage.

Pisces is moist, fertile, watery,and feminine, as one of the most fertile signs, it is the second best sign for planting and transplanting. It is especially good for root growth and irrigation.

• The Water signs: Cancer, Pisces, and Scorpio, are very fertile and are best for planting above ground, leafy annuals.
  
  
• The Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, are very fertile and good for planting and are especially good for planting root crops, or for transplanting to encourage root development.
  
  
• The Air signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are generally barren and dry. Libra however is semi-fertile and good for blooming flowers and herbs. The bloom is the part of the plant associated with air signs. Melons like Gemini, and onions like Aquarius. The moon is in an air sign is a good time to harvest and cultivate.
  
  
• The Fire signs: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are barren and dry. Weed and cultivate when the moon is in Leo so seeds won't sprout. You can also harvest during a fire sign.
  
  
• Havrvesting during dry air and fire signs in the fourth quarter helps preserve fruit and vegetables for longer storage.