The lore and myth around farmers following lunar phases first inspired me to see farming as more than a physical practice. That growing plants and engaging with nature connects us to parts of the ecosystem beyond what is tangible. Channeling cosmic energy and creating the conditions for flourishing growth is absolutely at humanities core.
Like bees pollinate flowers creating a ripple of reproduction that life depends on, humans fill the role of connecting the cosmos to the Earth. Our capacity for prayer, intention, and spirituality differentiates us from other animals. The inclination for stewardship and caring for plants, animals, and each other is very unique in the animal kingdom.
As daylight extends past the Persephone Zone these cosmic forces become stronger and our attention turns to sowing the first seeds of the season. The greenhouse becomes our hub and with the first full moon of February comes the first big flush of germination.
I think of the moon’s power in very simple terms. As the moon waxes and its gravitational effect strengthens, eventually pulling the ocean’s tides to their maximum. Consider water breaking down a seed’s outer shell, entering the germplasm, and pulling that sprout upwards. For the past two weeks our energy has been focused on optimizing the conditions for sprouts to emerge and take full advantage of this natural phenomenon.
As the moon reaches full we will reward those sprouts who have so generously presented themselves as living beings with a fertilization. This gentle oceanic smelling shower provides nutrients for growth until the New Moon.
In this gravity shift downward, new roots are pulled along in search of water and nutrients. A waning moon provides the optimum time to pot up plants needing a bump to a larger cell. Once true leaves appear this work can effectively be done. While time consuming I have found plants enjoy the gentle disturbance and grow more vigorously rather than being left in a single cell.
The dance of cosmic forces and plant growth keeps a rhythm to the season. A market farmer’s work is maintaining the flywheel of production. While some crops only get planted once per season, like onions on our farm, others, like lettuce, get planted upwards of 10 times. Once seeds get started it is important to continually sow new crops. The nursery is our engine, allowing the farm to grow rounds of annual vegetables with the intention of continuous production.
As crops leave the nursery and head to the field the same attention can be paid. Instead of potting up, crops are transplanted on waning moons to insure steady rooting to the soil. These rhythms keep us engaged and attentive to our crops.
The human animal is a strange one, but overall I believe our place on this Earth is very simple. We are transmitters of spirituality towards Earth. In a clear state we work with the inspiration from the cosmos to innovate our world. This miracle has stronger effect given community support.
In that vein I am asking for support of the the farm through our CSA program. Community Supported Agriculture has been a core institution since our farm began in 2019. The pull of our CSA members helps carry us through the start of the season, before the plants are producing food.
This week is National CSA Week and to celebrate we will be giving away 3 Folks Farm running hats to folks who sign up before Monday morning (if you have already purchased a share this week you will be entered in the drawing). Like the moon pulls our seeds, CSA members guide our production and give us peace of mind to focus on growing.
Like flowers need bees and seeds need the moon, we need you Folks.