Planting by the Moon PhasesSouthern & Appalachian Moon-Phase Gardening Tradition
Granny always stuck to this stuff, always from the Farmers Almanac. Granny always stuck to this stuff, always from the Farmers Almanac. Origin
The practice comes from a blend of Scots-Irish, English, and German lunar farming traditions brought into the Appalachian highlands in the 1700s and 1800s. Early settlers believed the moon governed moisture in the soil in the same way it pulled the tides, so planting at the "right time" meant better germination, sturdier roots, and fuller harvests.
Mountain families relied on the farmer’s almanac or handwritten calendars marking the signs. Every holler had its own variations, but the core rules remained the same: follow the moon, trust the signs, and never rush a seed into the ground when the heavens say "wait."
Notes
- Waxing Moon (New → Full) Plant crops that grow upward or above ground: corn, beans, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash.
- Waning Moon (Full → New) Plant root crops: potatoes, onions, carrots, turnips, beets.
- Full Moon Said to encourage leafy growth and strong sap flow - many traditional gardeners start greens here.
- New Moon Considered a "resting" time - avoid major planting.
- Never plant on the last quarter Old timers called it "the barren sign," believed to stunt growth.
Legacy
Planting by the signs endures across Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, the Carolinas, and rural mountain communities. Even modern gardeners who don’t fully believe the superstition admit the old ways often "just work."
For many families, it’s less about magic and more about memory - a way to honor elders, follow the rhythm of nature, and stay connected to the land in the same slow, steady way past generations did.
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 24). Planting by the Moon Phases
Southern & Appalachian Moon-Phase Gardening Tradition . HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/planting-by-the-signs-moon-phase-gardening-southern - MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Planting by the Moon Phases
Southern & Appalachian Moon-Phase Gardening Tradition ." HillbillySlang.com, 24 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/planting-by-the-signs-moon-phase-gardening-southern. - Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Planting by the Moon Phases
Southern & Appalachian Moon-Phase Gardening Tradition ." HillbillySlang.com. November 24, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/planting-by-the-signs-moon-phase-gardening-southern.
Dislaimer
What you're reading here is old Southern folklore and storytelling - not medical advice, and not meant to guide health, or pregnancy decisions (especially pregnancy decisions!). These tales are part of how folks once made sense of the world, passed down from grandparents and midwives.
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