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

I am 63 years old. I always heard my dad, and other older farmers say to kill unwanted weeds and sprouts and such, to skin the bark on trees and mow fields on EMBER DAYS. THEY fall on SEPT. 19, 20, AND 21 as for the rest of this year. I too am going to bushhog my farm on these days to try to get rid of unwanted sprouts and weeds. I cannot prove this works but I've heard this since I was a boy, and older than me men still say it. that's as much as I know about this. good luck to both of us.

steve torrence (not verified)

10 years 7 months ago

Can the almanac be used in the southern hemi? I'm in Rio de Janeiro.

katydidk (not verified)

10 years 7 months ago

Is there any difference in the amount of damage done by freezing temperatures in the light of the moon verses the dark of the moon????

Hal Trouard (not verified)

10 years 9 months ago

The old wives tales came from very wise old wives. Some may seem absurd by today's hi-tec standards but I trust the ancient knowledge. As far as the moons affects on water pressures on earth trust the almanac. Seeds sprout sooner planted during the waining moon. Just think about gravity and the high and low tides it all begins to make sense. Old wives paid close attention to detail and passed their knowledge down, I trust it.
A Renaissance of common sense , how refreshing ,happy living.

I thought you should plant seeds on a waxing moon unless they are root crops. I should plant on waining moon? Now I'm confused :)

Plant flowers and vegetables that bear crops above ground during the light, or waxing, of the Moon: from the day the Moon is new to the day it is full.
Plant flowering bulbs and vegetables that bear crops below ground during the dark, or waning, of the Moon: from the day after it is full to the day before it is new again.
See our Planting by the Moon calendar: www.almanac.com/content/planting-moons-phase-gardening-calendar

OK got it. Thanks. I always germinate everything except root crops on the first light of the moon or a few days before.

my grandfather was a firm bliever on planting by the phases of the moon. there must have been somthing to it because pap pap as he was called had the best garden around. noone could top his vegatables for size and i do mean noone. one carrot or potato was all that was needed for a large pos of soup or beef stew.

gibson (not verified)

10 years 9 months ago

Need to put gravel down..when is the best time to do this?

Thanks for your question.
Put down gravel when the Moon's sign is in a fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, or Aquarius). This information is not on our Web site. See our annual chart in The Old Farmer's 蜜桃恋人, or download the complete Moon Sign calendar (for a small fee) at http://www.almanac.com/product/2014-astrology-moons-sign-calendar