What is a root, leaf, flower or fruit day?

In lunar gardening tradition, each day is associated with a plant organ through: root days (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn), leaf days (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces), flower days (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius), and seed/fruit days (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius).

What is the difference between an ascending and a descending moon?

It is the moon's declination, not its phase. During an ascending moon (about 13 days), tradition favours sowing and grafting; during a descending moon, planting out, pruning and harvests for storage.

Is gardening by the moon scientifically proven?

No. It is a gardening tradition without scientific consensus. Our calendars give the real astronomical instants and present recommendations as belonging to that tradition.

Why are some days discouraged in lunar calendars?

Traditional calendars avoid the moon's node passages, as well as perigee and apogee: periods considered unfavourable for gardening in that tradition.

Do I have to garden at the exact time shown?

The published times are the real astronomical instants (local time). In practice, the tradition uses the day type to guide tasks, not the exact minute.

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Blog Garden calendar Lunar garden calendar: week of 19-25 October 2026

Lunar garden calendar: week of 19-25 October 2026

Published by Germie in Garden calendar the 18/10/2026 at 14:32

Lunar garden calendar: week of Monday 19 to Sunday 25 October 2026

A fine week for gardening with the moon: the whole week runs under an ascending moon, with two root days for garlic and shallots, two flower days for bulbs and perennials, then three leaf days for lamb's lettuce and spinach. Here is your biodynamic agenda, day by day.

Mon 19 – Tue 20: root days
Wed 21 – Thu 22: flower days
Fri 23 – Sun 25: leaf days
The moment to avoid: Wednesday 21 morning
Moon phases this week
FAQ

Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 October: root days

The moon is crossing Capricorn: two root days on the biodynamic calendar. The window for everything growing underground.

Plant garlic, grey shallots and white onions — autumn planting under an ascending moon is the great classic of the days calendar.
Sow a last row of radishes under a frame or tunnel for late-autumn harvests.
Harvest beetroot, carrots and celeriac and clamp them frost-free; parsnips, hardy, can stay in the ground under mulch and be lifted as needed.

Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October: flower days

The moon crosses Aquarius: two flower days. Careful Wednesday morning though — see "to avoid" below.

Plant pansies, violas, daisies and perennials: the still-warm soil helps rooting before winter.
Set out the spring bulbs — tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses.
Prepare to overwinter tender bulbs: watch the foliage of tuberous begonias, dahlias, cannas and gladioli — bring them in once it yellows or after the first frosts (often rather in November, depending on the region).

Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October: leaf days

The weekend opens on three leaf days — winter leaf vegetables take the stage.

Sow lamb's lettuce and spinach under cover: in October, simple protection makes all the difference.
Plant the last winter lettuces in mild climates and under cover, on the freed beds.
Harvest leeks and Brussels sprouts — early varieties are starting — and start blanching cardoons and self-blanching celery (tying up, earthing up): harvest follows about a month later.

The moment to avoid: Wednesday 21 before 09:50

On Wednesday 21 October, the moon crosses the ascending node at 09:50 (London time). Lunar-calendar tradition advises against gardening for about five hours either side of the crossing: move Wednesday's plantings to after 15:00 — the flower day is only just beginning then anyway.

Moon phases this week

First quarter: Saturday 18 October at 17:12 — the moon is waxing all week.
Full moon: Monday 26 October at 04:11, right at the end of the covered period.

The moon is ascending all week: in the biodynamic calendar, this is the favourable period for sowings and for harvests to eat quickly.

FAQ

What is a "root day"?

In the biodynamic calendar, each day is classified by the constellation the moon is crossing. Root days (Capricorn, Virgo, Taurus) are reputed favourable to root vegetables; leaf days to leaf vegetables, flower days to flowering plants, seed and fruit days to fruit vegetables. The day-by-day detail is in our vegetable garden lunar calendar, October 2026 to September 2027.

Ascending moon and waxing moon — what's the difference?

The waxing moon describes its illumination (growing towards full moon); the ascending moon describes its height in the sky, which rises day after day for about 13 days. They are two independent cycles — this week, the moon is both waxing and ascending.

All times shown are real astronomical instants, London time (GMT). Seasonal tasks follow traditional gardeners' calendars; lunar recommendations belong to tradition — see our guide to the method.

Further reading: gardening with the moon, the complete garden calendar · understanding the biodynamic calendar · and for winter sowings at home, the Germie germination kit.