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The first winter month will be marked by relative calm in the garden. During this period, summer residents in the southern regions are engaged in insulating perennials before the upcoming cold weather, while in other regions they pay attention to the repair of garden equipment and the purchase of seeds. There are also those who love sowing and continue to grow crops in heated greenhouses or on window sills. Moreover, this applies not only to traditional greens, but also to vegetable crops, for example, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes and even eggplants and zucchini. The gardener’s lunar calendar for December 2023, which suggests focusing on the phases of the Earth’s satellite, will help you choose the right time for certain events and make them as effective as possible.
Moon phases in December 2023
When choosing suitable dates, the lunar sowing calendar recommends focusing on two aspects:
- the phase in which the Moon is in a certain period of the month;
- the zodiac sign she is in on a particular day.
In the latter case, Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces and Taurus, which are called fertile signs, are considered the most effective. Leo, Aquarius and Aries are considered infertile; any planting on days when the Moon is under their protection is undesirable.
A favorable period for planting root crops is considered to be the days when the Moon wanes in fertile signs, for above-ground crops - when it grows in them
The Moon makes a complete revolution around the Earth within 29 days, while a certain part of it is visible from the planet. Depending on this, its state is usually divided into phases. In fact, the state of the heavenly body remains unchanged, and its position is taken to be the opportunity to see any part of it.
Moon phases in December 2022:
- 1-12 - Moon waning;
- 13 - new moon, when any work affecting plants is undesirable;
- 14-26 - the heavenly body is growing;
- 27 - full moon, which according to the calendar also prohibits any gardening activities;
- 28-31 - The moon wanes again.
The new moon is the most negative period, so it is not recommended to carry out any work from December 12 to December 14 inclusive
Favorable and unfavorable days for sowing seeds in December 2023
The first winter month usually brings with it the first frosts and snow, so sowing of winter crops should be completed by this time. However, you can pay attention to planting seeds for seedlings at home, as well as in a heated greenhouse.
Favorable days according to the lunar calendar for December 2023 by type of crop are as follows:
- cucumbers - 1, 7-11, 18-19, 22-23, 28;
- eggplants, peppers - 1, 9-11, 18-19, 22-23, 28;
- tomatoes - 1, 9-11, 18-19, 22-23, 28;
- cabbage - 1, 9-11, 15, 18-19, 22-23, 28;
- root vegetables - 1, 9-11, 15, 18-19, 22-23, 28;
- any greens - 1, 9-11, 18-19, 22-23, 28.
Planting can be done on days other than the full moon and new moon (the day before and the day after), provided that the Moon is in fertile zodiac signs.
What can be done on a personal plot
For most gardeners, the first month of winter is a signal to prepare the garden for the upcoming prolonged period of cold weather. The following work can be carried out to help quickly reactivate the site for the new sowing season:
- Create shelter from severe frosts for perennial crops.
- Install shields that will ensure snow retention.
- If the snow has already fallen, it can be thrown onto open beds and brought into greenhouses.
Melt water, which has a special molecular structure, will contribute to the rapid awakening of the soil in spring
What is important to do before severe frosts?
According to the lunar calendar for December 2023, at the beginning of the month you can start tidying up your garden plot:
- Remove plant debris - leaves, dry branches, carrion.
- Prepare fertile turf, peat chips and other ingredients that will be useful in the spring when digging the soil.
- Carry out sanitary pruning of fruit trees and shrubs.
- Replace the layer of mulch, fill the beds with humus, provided that the soil has not yet frozen.
- Whitewash tree trunks.
- Install protection that will prevent rodent attacks during winter.
- Treat trees if necessary.
These works can also be carried out on days unfavorable for planting, since they are not directly related to crops and sowing. There is no point in delaying events - real winter, even in the southern regions, can come already in the first ten days of December.
Lunar sowing calendar for December 2023 according to zodiac signs
Important for sowing work, especially when it comes to seeds, is not only the phase of the Moon, but also the zodiac sign in which it resides on a certain day.
December 1-3 - The Moon wanes in the barren sign Leo. Loosening and digging of the soil in pots and greenhouses is allowed; seeds can be soaked, watered and sprayed. Indoor plants can be fertilized. The lunar calendar does not recommend plant transplants or canning on these days.
December 4-5 - The waning moon moves into the sign of average fertility Virgo. At this stage, you can start thinning the seedlings, loosening and replacing soil for potted crops, trimming and feeding the plants. Canning on these days of the month is undesirable, and the calendar also does not recommend grafting or replanting plants.
6-7 days of the month - the Earth’s satellite moves into the sign of Libra. During this period it is recommended:
- loosening and pruning;
- fertilization;
- watering;
- sowing and collecting seeds.
When the Moon is in Libra, it is undesirable to replant plants, especially if it involves dividing roots
December 8-9 - the celestial body gradually moves into the fertile sign of Scorpio. You can soak the seeds, water and spray the plants against pests and diseases, and apply fertilizer. During this period, the calendar does not recommend any transplants and pruning, as well as picking and grafting.
December 11 - The Moon is in Sagittarius, when transplanting, watering and spraying are prohibited. Loosening and home canning are allowed.
December 12-14 are new moon days, on which the lunar calendar does not recommend carrying out any work affecting crops.
December 15 - the Earth's satellite moves into the sign of Capricorn, which is considered a favorable period for carrying out almost any work.
16-17 - the celestial body begins to grow under the constellation of unproductive Aquarius. These days you can only loosen the soil, thin out the plants and carry out weeding. The remaining events will not be particularly successful.
On December 18 and 19, the waxing Moon moves into the effective sign of Pisces. During this period, almost any activity can be carried out with plants. Even chemical treatment against diseases is allowed. However, it is better to refrain from trimming and home canning.
On December 20-21, the Earth's satellite moves into the barren sign of Aries. It is not recommended to:
- sowing;
- pruning;
- transplant;
- application of fertilizers.
When the Moon is in Aries, you can loosen the soil and collect seeds
On December 22-23, the Moon moves into the fertile sign Taurus. Almost any work related to plants is allowed.
December 24-25 are the days of the Earth's satellite in unproductive Gemini. During this period, it is not recommended to carry out any sowing, but you can start spraying against diseases.
26 - The Moon grows in fertile Cancer. The day is suitable for any work, including transplanting and loosening.
December 27 is the full moon, when the gardener's calendar recommends a break from any work related to gardening.
On 28-29 the waning Moon returns to fertile Cancer. It is allowed to loosen the soil to prepare it for planting. The calendar does not recommend using pesticides to treat plants on these days.
December 30-31 - the Earth's satellite continues to decline and moves into the sign of Leo. The days are considered neutral, but it is better to give the plants a rest and not even water them.
What else can you do in December according to the lunar calendar?
Additionally, the lunar sowing calendar for the first month of winter advises the following events:
- Make adjustments to the plan for future sowings, purchase seeds only from those varieties of crops that showed the best yield in the past season.
- Buy cassettes for seedlings, which are much more convenient than household containers for dairy or other products.
- Wake up the onion heads for subsequent forcing. This is easy to do by cutting off the neck and keeping them in warm water for a day.
- Purchase phytolamps if you plan to plant seeds of heat-loving crops - peppers, eggplants, etc.
Conclusion
The gardener's lunar sowing calendar for December 2023 is an excellent assistant that allows you to navigate the phases of the Earth's satellite and choose the most favorable days for planting and other work. However, it is important to consider secondary factors and not blindly follow his advice. For example, you should not water on permitted days if the soil has not yet dried out; this will lead to waterlogging and rotting of the root system of crops.
