Farming by the Moon (2024)

The age-old practice of performing farm chores by the Moon stems from the simple belief that the Moon governsmoisture.

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

The Moon’sPhases

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

• 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) isdry.
• The New Moon and first quarter, or waxing phases, are considered fertile andwet.
• 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, andtransplanting.
• 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-groundcrops.
• The time just before the full Moon is considered particularly wet, and is best for planting during droughtconditions.

To garden by the Moon in your area, see our “Best Planting Dates” guide on the main gardeningpage.

MoonFolklore

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

• Rail fences cut during the dry, waning Moon will staystraighter.
• Wooden shingles and shakes will lie flatter if cut during the dark of theMoon.
• 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-livedfence.
• Don’t begin weaning when the Moon iswaning.
• Castrate and dehorn animals when the Moon is waning for lessbleeding.
• Slaughter when the Moon is waxing for juiciermeat.
• Crabbing, shrimping, and clamming are best when the Moon isfull.
• Best days for fishing are between the new and fullMoon.
• Dig your horseradish in the full Moon for the bestflavor.
• Set eggs to hatch on the Moon’s increase, but not if a south windblows.