Agricultural work according to lunar phase
The Phases of the Moon and the Potato
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New Moon: Planting was avoided, as growth was believed to be weak.
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Waxing Crescent: An ideal time for planting stem and leaf crops, promoting vigorous development.
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Full Moon: Associated with abundance, favorable for crops that develop above ground.
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Waning Crescent: Considered the best phase for planting tubers like the potato, as it was thought to strengthen growth below the ground.
Relevance Today
Despite technological and scientific advancements in modern agriculture, many farming communities in the Peruvian Sierra continue to use these techniques, combining tradition and ancestral knowledge with new cultivation methods.
Observing the moon represents not only a production tool but also a cultural link to the land and nature, passed down from generation to generation.
The relationship between agriculture and the cycles of the moon has deep roots in Andean cultures. Since pre-Incan times, farming communities observed the moon's influence on the growth of plants, adapting their agricultural work to each phase to obtain better results in potato production.
Ancestral Wisdom
The moon has been considered a natural guide for farmers. It was believed—and is still practiced today—that each lunar phase influences the development of roots, stems, and fruits, which is why planting, irrigation, and harvesting were carefully planned according to its calendar.