蜜桃恋人

Farming by the Moon

When to Plant, Wean, Castrate, Build Fences, Harvest

Martha White
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The age-old practice of performing farm chores by the Moon stems from the simple belief that the Moon governs moisture.

Pliny the Elder, the first-century Roman naturalist, stated in his Natural History that the Moon 鈥渞eplenishes the earth; when she approaches it, she fills all bodies, while, when she recedes, she empties them.鈥

The Moon’s Phases

The Moon’s phases guided many a farmer and gardener in the past, and still do today:

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  • Moonrise occurring in the evening brings fair weather, says one proverb, harking back to the belief that the waning Moon (full and last quarter, which rise in the evening) is dry.
  • The New Moon and first quarter, or waxing phases, are considered fertile and wet.
  • The new and first-quarter phases, known as the light of the Moon, are considered good for planting above-ground crops, putting down sod, grafting trees, and transplanting.
  • From full Moon through the last quarter, or the dark of the Moon, is the best time for killing weeds, thinning, pruning, mowing, cutting timber, and planting below-ground crops.
  • The time just before the full Moon is considered particularly wet, and is best for planting during drought conditions.

To garden by the Moon in your area, see our 鈥淏est Planting Dates鈥 guide on the main gardening page.

Moon Folklore

Folklore is rich among farmers, given their close ties to Earth and her natural rhythms.

  • Rail fences cut during the dry, waning Moon will stay straighter.
  • Wooden shingles and shakes will lie flatter if cut during the dark of the Moon.
  • Fence posts should be set in the dark of the Moon to resist rotting. Ozark lore says that fence posts should always be set as the tree grew. To set the root end upward makes a short-lived fence.
  • Don’t begin weaning when the Moon is waning.
  • Castrate and dehorn animals when the Moon is waning for less bleeding.
  • Slaughter when the Moon is waxing for juicier meat.
  • Crabbing, shrimping, and clamming are best when the Moon is full.
  • Best days for fishing are between the new and full Moon. 
  • Dig your horseradish in the full Moon for the best flavor.
  • Set eggs to hatch on the Moon’s increase, but not if a south wind blows.
Moon Folklore
About The Author

Martha White

Martha White has been a full-time writer and editor since 1987 and has a broad background in journalism, opinion columns, syndicated features, humor articles, book reviews, essays, and fiction. Read More from Martha White
 

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Comments

Thank you for the info. We live in the Texas Panhandle, I'm still concerned about freezing weather, not unusual here to have below freezing weather until late March, which normally is several days. Still plant now?
Seedlings were brought to us from Mississippi. Thanks again

Plant the seedlings in the ground and cover with mulch or plant them in containers that you can move into shelter if freezing temps. are predicted.

Leartes (not verified)

9 years 11 months ago

I'm a homebrewer, and I'm wondering if there are particularly good times to brew beer and mead according to the phases of the moon. Thank you for your time!

robert merriam (not verified)

9 years 11 months ago

About 40 years ago I read an article in Yankee Magazine about cutting brush by the phases of the moon. A supposed skeptic of doing things by moon phases responded that he tried it and it worked! I also am a skeptic, unless someone can explain a scientific rationale for it. However I have had great success in getting rid of hybrid poplar by cutting it shortly before leaf fall, which was the approximate time suggested by the article. I have had less success with other trees/brush, and wonder if someone can help refine this process from experience and not just theory.

Thanks

brenda gluck (not verified)

10 years 2 months ago

I've heard that if a tree is cut down in one moon, the stump will rot and if cut down in the other it will petrify. Does anyone know the specifics of that?

Bonita (not verified)

10 years 2 months ago

We would like to know the best sign to cut hay and store it. We are searching the foxfire books on folklore of hay storing. My father says that in a certain sign the hay will not catch fire and will keep longer. If you can help we would greatly appreciate it.
Thank You,
B. Maddox

Yes, there are best days for cutting hay. See our chart below. If it works for you, try to cut hay on these days:
http://www.almanac.com/bestdays/timetable

lilly60_32442 (not verified)

10 years 3 months ago

My mom did not want her hair cut on the growing of the moon! She said it grows too fast if this happens. I tried to reason with her that her hair grows from the roots, not by the tips of her hair! Any of you readers ever hear this tale?

My dad was a farmer, and he planted his crops by the moon.

Your mother is not alone! Many people swear by this age-old practice of cutting hair by the Moon's sign based on a belief that the Moon influences energy. Here's a timetable that includes growing hair: http://www.almanac.com/bestdays/timetable

Melina Bender (not verified)

10 years 5 months ago

I am planning to bushog my fields for weed control. When is the best time to kill weeds in our cow pasters?