Here is some criticism of full moon effects

I am not a critic of Biodynamic farming, neither am I a supporter. I just don't have enough information, and find that things are always stranger than I thought! I really like the work of Ecology Action, which borrows from Biodynamics. In particular, the borrow the moon planting dates. Here is a crittical Permies thread on this. I would like to hear some Biodynamic folks respond.

https://permies.com/t/34076/soil/Tidal-forces-soil-moisture

Since I don't consider myself smart enough to follow all of the scientific data and conversation..... I just figured I would try it and judge for myself. My Aunt and Grandparents always planned by the moon and signs.

So I did try it. I grew more stuff. Coincidence? I don't know but the results convinced me - over and over again. That was good enough for me.

Mother nature doesn't read the scientific journals either so I figure I'm in good company.

Does nature plant by the moon and signs ? What about those little maple seed pods fluttering to the ground in early summer ? Dandelion puffballs dispersing in the wind ? The birds eating berries and other seeds and spreading them around ? Seeds from ginseng that take two years to germinate ? This concept raises more questions for me rather than simple answers .

The moon has variations in its distance to earth . Apogees{most distant} and perigrees[closest} . We will see the lunar phases at the apogee and the perigree . So we will see a new and full moon at it's furthest point from the earth and a new and full moon at its closest point . Does not the new moon phase at the perigree exert more gravitational force than the full moon at the apogee ? What gravitational effect on the tidal forces is the reflected light of the sun adding to the equation ?

And maybe the effect is directly on the seed itself? That would explain why formal studies haven't identified a link yet. Maybe it has more to do with the lifecycles of soil organisms, or even fungi...

It's worth taking into account some research done about weed germination rates under the influence of Moonlight: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/ar/archive/dec95/tilling1295.htm?pf=1

If they are recommending to plow a field under a New Moon (total darkness), then there is a corollary that should be made explicit: plant under a Full Moon.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/ar/archive/dec95/tilling1295.htm?pf=1

In this article cited by Stewart Lundy the effort was to avoid exposing seeds to any light at all . That included headlights from tractors . So , using this argument , exposing seeds to the light of a full moon [or any light at all] would hasten germination . Since the light of the full moon is reflected sun light would not exposure to the following days sunlight have an even greater effect on that germination ? Using this argument then , could you conclude that the effects of a full moon and the following days sunlight provide an optimal germination enviroment ? Is a full moon night and a cloudy day following less than optimal ? From what I know most seeds do not require light to germinate . Gibberellins and soil conditions are more important to break dormancy . Some need exposure to fire . I believe most vegetable seeds are not light dependent . Correct me if I am wrong .