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Gardening by the moon: what’s the evidence?

Many people sow by the moon. Here is what studies say, and when the new and full moons are in 2027.

In short

Tradition, not proven
  • A review from the University of Valencia (2020) searched textbooks and journal articles and found no reliable evidence that moon phases affect plants. Physics doesn’t back it either.
  • The moon’s gravity acts on Earth about 300,000 times more weakly than Earth’s own, too little for processes inside a plant (University of Illinois Extension).
  • Researchers still think more research makes sense, because so many people garden by the moon.

Frost and soil temperature where you live matter more (WSU Extension). That is what Beetfox works with.

Last frost date by postcode
Planting calendar for your area

Moon phases 2027

Tradition, not proven The phases are astronomy. That they help with sowing is not proven.

MonthNew moonFirst quarterFull moonLast quarter
Jan7152229
Feb6142028
Mar8152230
Apr6132028
May6132028
Jun4111927
Jul4101826
Aug2, 3191725
Sep3071523
Oct2971522
Nov2861421
Dec2761320

Dates in UTC; in the Americas a phase late in the day can fall on the evening before.

How we work out the moon phases

Following Jean Meeus, Astronomical Algorithms (1998), chapter 49. The calculation is accurate to a few minutes.

Checked against the tables of the U.S. Naval Observatory for 2026 to 2028: all 149 phases within one minute.

How we work it out

Questions and answers

Is there evidence for sowing by the moon?

No reliable evidence. A 2020 review found nothing in textbooks or journal articles showing that moon phases affect plants. The authors still think more research makes sense.

When are the full moons in 2027?

Full moons in 2027 (UTC): 22 January, 20 February, 22 March, 20 April, 20 May, 19 June, 18 July, 17 August, 15 September, 15 October, 14 November and 13 December.

When are the new moons in 2027?

New moons in 2027 (UTC): 7 January, 6 February, 8 March, 6 April, 6 May, 4 June, 4 July, 2 August, 31 August, 30 September, 29 October, 28 November and 27 December.

Does the moon pull on plants like it does on the tides?

According to University of Illinois Extension, the moon’s gravity acts on Earth about 300,000 times more weakly than Earth’s own. That is not enough to influence processes inside a plant.

Why doesn’t Beetfox show days by star sign?

Because there is no evidence for them. We show what can be measured and calculated: the frost where you live, the weeks from expert sources, and the moon phases as astronomy.

Sources

Show 5 sources
  1. Mayoral, Solbes, Cantó, Pina (2020): What Has Been Thought and Taught on the Lunar Influence on Plants in Agriculture? Perspective from Physics and Biology. Agronomy 10(7), 955
  2. University of Illinois Extension (Ryan Pankau, 2022): Lunar Influence on Gardening
  3. WSU Extension Yakima County (Carol Barany, 2026): Gardening by the Moon?
  4. U.S. Naval Observatory: Phases of the Moon (Abgleich der Rechnung)
  5. Jean Meeus: Astronomical Algorithms, 2. Aufl., Willmann-Bell 1998, Kapitel 49 (Rechenweg)

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