Ol’ John Brown’s Garden – Gardening & the Almanac:
“The first Quarter is good for planting such things as grains, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, corn and celery.
The second Quarter is good for planting such things as beans, melons, peas, tomatoes, squash, peppers and flowers.
The third Quarter is good for planting such things as beets, carrots, potatoes, radishes, onions and tubers.
The fourth Quarter of the moon isn’t quite as good for below ground crops (and not for above ground crops at all) so use this only when you can’t plant in the 3rd Quarter for some reason”
Other views on moon cycles:
The basic activities in the various phases of the moon are :-
New moon brings in an upsurge of energy so we sow, plant, and transplant annuals which produce above ground crops. We avoid harvesting as rot sets in more quickly and we mow and trim if growth is to be encouraged.
1st quarter – the sap is still rising so carry on with more or less the same activities as in the new moon.
Full moon sees a peak in electromagnetic energies – the sap begins to flow downwards towards the roots so it is a favourable time to plant anything for which good root growth is important. We also harvest at this time as there is less chance of rot setting in.
4th quarter – is the barren time of the lunar cycle so it is an optimum time to weed and cultivate as well as harvesting. It is not a good time to sow and plant although transplanting can begin about 3 days before the new moon arrives. ~Organic Pathways
And what does the Farmers Almanac predict for the Midwest?
April 2007
1st-3rd. Thundery, squally weather for Great Lakes region, Ohio River Valley, then clearing. 4th-7th. Fair, pleasant conditions give way to unsettled weather spreading east into Illinois, Michigan by 7th. 8th-11th. Showers for Ohio River Valley, then fair skies return. 12th-15th. Squally weather, especially Great Lakes. 16th-19th. Mostly fair, pleasant. 20th-23rd. Showers rapidly spread in from west, quickly clearing. 24th-27th. Stormy weather arrive by the 27th. 28th-30th. Stormy weather continues.May 2007
1st-3rd. Clear to partly cloudy skies. 4th-7th. Light showers, then fair skies. Showers hopefully exit Louisville in time for Kentucky Derby. 8th-11th. Heavy rains spread into Great Lakes region. 12th-15th. Thunderstorms Ohio River Valley. 16th-19th. Showers Great Lakes, then fair and cool. 20th-23rd. Fair in Illinois, Michigan area east. 24th-27th. Squally from Wisconsin east, then fair skies. Weather hopefully begins to dry out around Indianapolis for Indy 500. 28th-31st. Fair weather gives way to unsettled skies.
I’m not sure how useful I find these weather predictions. Did anything prepare us for what a cold and snowfilled spring we had?
