Another Moon Trial

[zazen999]

Hi all

I am looking to do a 'blind' moon trial this year.

What I am planning on doing is to sow 5 onion seeds into a module every day of September, and to keep all modules in the greenhouse over the winter, and plant them out in the spring. I'll be buying a new packet of seed just for this trial.

Then, I will harvest each once the tops fall over and die back and weigh them.

Once they are all out and weighed, I need to compare the weights against the correct moon dates that they were all sown on...to see whether the dates made any difference.

So, what I need is someone to note which moon day it is for the whole of September, and to keep this document for me, and we will put the data together about this time next year.

I don't want to even look at a moon diary for the whole month, and will endeavor to sow at the same time every day and will keep records on the blog as I go. The moon diary to be used is the one in my sig, just the main page [not going into any of the 3 different types, just the basic one as shown].

If there are no takers, then I will have to ask the OH but I would rather do it completely blind.

Note, the modules will all be in the same module sheets, so will all be kept together over the winter, and no additional fertiliser or additives are used, just organic compost, and the clay/home made compost at my lottie. Photos will be taken and put online.

Of course, if anyone else wants to join in - and compare notes next year, the more the merrier.

So, any takers? Someone who is a cynic but who is still planning to be here next summer would be a good partner on this.

[HeyWayne]

Go on then, my birthday's in September - we'll see if the biggest one grows on my birthday!

Just need to figure out what a moon day is...

[zazen999]

OOh, excellent

I'll guide you through the process, don't worry. You can just click on the 'A popular moon calendar' in my sig and see which day it is, then you'll have to write it down on a calendar [I'll send you one by email], and once the whole month is done, keep it locked down and saved for me/us [if we get any more Grapes wanting to do the trial]...

EG - today - is a leaf day...

[maytreefrannie]

I'd love to sow along with this trial - I guess it's just keeping each module dated and one seed per day - I think even I could do that!

Daughter is expecting her first child in September (my third grandchild) so I'm already betting (in my head) that the birth-day will produce the best onion.

[zazen999]

I'd love to sow along with this trial - I guess it's just keeping each module dated and one seed per day - I think even I could do that!

Daughter is expecting her first child in September (my third grandchild) so I'm already betting (in my head) that the birth-day will produce the best onion.

YAY - I'm sowing 5 seeds per module but as long as you sow the same amount every day, you're in.

Any more for any more???

[womble]

I'm not organised enough to do it, but I'll be rooting for you (and disputing any results you get )

[zazen999]

Oh, don't be daft.....you can do it. I need some cynics.....

[shirlthegirl43]

Hmm, I might join in if life isn't too chaotic come September. Haven't read anything much about this moon stuff and though not a true sceptic, I tend to steer clear of most things I can't explain

[womble]

Honestly, I'm just not organised enough, I would forget and put it off and forget to water them. Everything only holds on by the skin of it's teeth in my garden, especially in a pot.

[zazen999]

You could get a decent module tray and keep it in the bathroom/kitchen [remember the winter with all those early delicate seedlings???], and just pop one/two/five in a different module each day and just water in.....all you have to do after that is to plant out in the spring and weigh each one when it is ready.

C'mon - lets have some mega data to compare

[shirlthegirl43]

Are you going to remind us closer to the start Andrea? Also, any suggestions on varieties to try as I will need to buy a new packet of seed for this.

[Mac]

Hi, just read this. I'm up for a bit of mooning! A suggested variety would be good as have never done onions from seed (first year doing anything from anything to be truthful!!).

[zazen999]

YAY!

Yes, I'll start a reminder thread in late August, and kick it off in Sept.

If you've not grown from seed before, it should be interesting......and a good variety would be Bedfordshire Champion as it is a good hearty white onion...although any onion will do really. I'm going to buy whatever is at Wilkinsons/B&Q the last week of August.

What you will need is a good packet of labels though

[gojiberry]

What size module are you planning on starting with Andrea. My smallest ones (102 per tray) just wouldn't hold enough nutrients to last more than about 2/3 weeks. I usually only put one seed per module, any particular reason for as many as 5 in 1. By the way I'm not trying to put obstacles in your way and I'm neither a believer or a sceptic. I am open minded on such things but just don't have the time to be scientific. Good luck and I shall be very interested in the results next year. When choosing your variety of onion you may want to take note that some onion seed packets only contain about 100 seeds and for 5 a day you are going to need at least 150.

Ian

[zazen999]

I plant ALL my onions a pinch at a time into modules, I usually use the ones that are about an inch or 2 square and I find that onions can stay in modules for months on end in them before going into their interim or final positions....especially if they are indoors through the winter.
I'll just go for what I have got at the time, and make sure I've got 30 empty ones, and go from there. As long as everything is the same apart from the date sown, then the trial should work.