Are you wondering what plant growth, moon phases and their connection has to do with you and your small business? Well, funny enough more than you think. Ready to learn? Yes, even though as I am writing this we are nearing the end of the year, it is time most gardeners begin to think about the upcoming year. They begin to think about what seeds they would like to plant in early spring. Whereas what seedling need to be plant later. This is similar to you and your business. What you are going to embark on next year needs planning now. What goals you are likely to be achieving need year actually begins this year.
Cultures & Plant Growth
There are many cultures around the world which share common beliefs about the effect of moon phases on plant growth. Farmers in several remote rural areas still swear by moon phases. There is a belief the moon’s gravitational force, lunar light as well as the zodiac sign of the moon, all play a crucial role in plant development. The connection for you and your business is to look outside of the box. Especially when wondering what might be affecting your ability to stay focused and achieve the goals you are setting. Begin to look around in your life and throughout the upcoming year as to what events might be happening that could impact you and your business. What trends in your industry are beginning to show promise that could you incorporate into your marketing strategies.
Ready for Spring?
Supporting your inner gardener, here are few of those lunar gardening/planting beliefs to help you prepare for your spring planting:
- First quart moon – plant annual crops that grow above the ground and produce seed outside the fruit as well grains. If you want to plant crops like tomatoes, broccoli, asparagus, wheat, cauliflowers and spinach, etc, this is the best time.
- Second quarter – is ideal for planting annual crops which grow above the ground and produce seeds inside the fruit. So, Beans, eggplant, peas, peppers, squash, etc are best for plating during this period.
- Third quarter – is a good time for planting perennials, biennials, bulb and root plants like berries, garlic, onion, carrots, potatoes, radish, turnip, grapes, etc.
- Fourth quarter – concentrate on caring for the plants. So activities like pest control, weeding, etc, are best during this period.
Translating the above list into what it might look like for your business might look like this:
- The first quarter of the year – look at setting a solid foundation. This foundation for your marketing is where everything else grows from. Planting policies and procedures. Making decisions as to the timing of launch etc.
- The second quarter of the year – you are beginning to work on the shorter terms tasks and goals. These are most known as milestones. They help you reach your over all goals for the year.
- The third quarter of the year – begin to reap the benefits of your hard work. Expect to do more work. This ramp up will fill in the gaps that are beginning to appear in your business and marketing plans.
- The fourth quarter – this is where you begin to put an extra push into your achieving your goals. It maybe a little harder due to where you are at with your strategies and passing established milestones.
Moon Phases & Business Growth
In short moon lore suggests to plant crops during the waxing moon phase. And activities like weeding, pruning, etc are best done during the waning moon phase. The waning moon is represented in your business during the 3rd quarter of your business. If you are achieving your goals to date then the growth of business can be seen. Now is the time to refine your policies, procedures, letting go the business dead weight.
If you want to approach lunar gardening from the point of view of zodiac signs, then here’s a few tips. You plant root crops when the moon is in the earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn). Plant crops that grow above the soil when the moon is in the water signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces). And focus on pruning, weeding, pest control and harvesting when the moon is the Fire (Leo, Aries, Sagittarius) and Air (Gemini, Aquarius and Libra) signs. Here you are looking at the human resources of your business. Whether they are actual employees, contractors or vendors. Taking a look at how best to interact with each of these during the four phases of your business year goes a long way to ensuring your success.
Fact or Sci-fi?
The next most obvious question is whether or not there is any scientific evidence to support these beliefs. The answer is both Yes and No. Experiments done by the University of Illinois in 1993 proved the moon’ gravitational force has some affect on germination; however, sufficient proof of moon phases affecting plant growth could not be gathered.
You can of course do your own experiments by planting crops by moon phases in your own garden. Then check if you get better results. To gather more information about lunar phases, you can refer to manuals and calendars. A few publications like Stella Natura Calendar, Working with the Stars Calendar and Astronomical Gardening Guide, etc.
I love to get my feet and hands dirty while working in the yard – it feeds my soul. While we are in hibernation mode this winter, I encourage you to begin thinking about how you are going to bring a little gardening into your life. This approach to digging in is one of the reason I love doing what I do – supporting each of you to digging into your business, establishing a great growth plan and succeeding.
If you’re ready to get planting your goal seeds for next year, I’d love to chat with you. Connect here, or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.