Biodynamic gardening - effects of the tides?

[Fina]

There's an old bit of Shetland folklore that says that pulling weeds, cutting turfs cleanly {for roofing, in the olden days} and roo'ing sheep {pulling the wool off by hand as was done in the days before clippers} was best done when the 'water was flowing' - when the tide was in the process of coming in.

I have found that dandelions & dockens do indeed come out a lot easier then - I bought a Tide Clock specifically to know when best to go out & weed!

People have asked me, why DO weeds come out easier then? I have Gooogled using every combination of 'weeds' & 'tides' I can think of but not managed to find anything. I know it has to do with the moon's gravitational pull on water, but I cannot find any written explanation anywhere.

Has anyone else heard of this, or read anything anywhere about this?
Anyone living in a rural area near the coast might be able to ask their grandparents if they remember anything about this?


{I was wondering if the state of the tide would have any effect on how easily hairs come out during leg-waxing... anyone game to experiment?? I would, but, our Beautician is up an awful lot of steps and my legs aren't too good nowadays


I have followed the Lunar Organics Gardening chart for a few years now and I believe it definitely makes a difference following their guide to planting, fertilising etc.

[Carmen]

Yes, the moon and therefore tides do have a effect. I find also that deep rooted weeds are easier to pull out when they have set seed as their energy is concentrated in the seeds and their anchor to the ground is weaker.

[giovonni]

Great posts and thanks ~ Fina & Carmen

It would seem - it really is (all) about the laws of gravity

[The Truth Is In There]

the planets and constellations of the zodiac influence plant growth and in fact everything else as well (astrology), and of course also the sun and the moon. check out the works of rudolf steiner and for the gardening topic in particular the books of maria thun (i don't know if they're available in english) and perhaps michel gros. i'm using maria thun's "aussaattage [year]" books for gardening.

http://www.amazon.de/G%C3%A4rtnern-n...0643581&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.de/Aussaattage-201..._bxgy_b_text_c

http://www.amazon.de/Mit-Mond-durchs...ef=pd_sim_b_11

[Dawn]

Here is a link to an English version of Maria Thun's book 'Gardening for Life".
http://www.amazon.com/Gardening-Life.../dp/1869890329
Here are English versions of her Biodynamic Sowing and Gardening Calendars
http://www.steinerbooks.org/author.html?au=928