Farmer's Almanac

The good people at The Farmer's Almanac seem pretty serious about planting crops according to the moon phase. Several scientific studies have been done on this, and as far as I can see, they show no correlation between successful or unsuccessful planting by the moon phase.

Still, you know the old saw about wives tales and cliches. They're cliches because they're true. They wouldn't be there if there wasn't a reason to be there. They are often (usually) correct.

So, in our fall plantings, we studiously observed planting by moon phases, and lo and behold, we had a very successful crop of everything, with close to 100% germination rates. So, THIS time, it worked. I guess we should consciously plant something opposed by the moon phase and see how that works. This is one of those bizarre, unsolved mysteries of life.

Meanwhile...we are in the waning moon.

January 2011

Full Moon – January 19

Last Quarter – January 26

19th-23rd - A Barren Time. Best For Killing Weeds, Briars, Poison Ivy, And Other Plant Pests. Clear Woodlots And Fencerows.

24th-25th - Favorable Days For Planting Root Crops. Fine For Sowing Grains, Hay, And Forage Crops. Plant Flowers.

26th-28th - Plant Carrots, Turnips, Onions, Beets, Irish Potatoes And Other Root Crops, In The South. Lettuce, Cabbage, Collards, And Other Leafy Vegetables Will Do Well. Start Seedbeds. Good Days For Transplanting.

29th-30th - Seeds Planted Now Will Grow Poorly And Yield Little.

31st - Good Planting Day For Root Crops Where Climate Permits.

February 2011

New Moon – February 3

First Quarter – February 11

Full Moon – February 18

Last Quarter – February 24

1st-2nd - Favorable Planting Days: The First Day For Root Crops; The Second Day For Aboveground Crops Such As Sweet Corn, Beans And Peppers, In Southern Florida, Texas, And California.

3rd-4th - Barren Days. Fine For Clearing, Plowing, Fertilizing, And Killing Plant Pests.

5th-6th - Plant Peppers, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes And Other Aboveground Crops, In Southern Florida, California, And Texas. Extra Good For Cucumbers, Peas, Cantaloupes, And Other Vine Crops. Set Strawberry Plants.

7th-9th - Seeds Planted Now Will Grow Poorly And Yield Little.

10th-11th - Fine For Planting Beans, Peppers, Cucumbers, Melons And Other Aboveground Crops, Where Climate Is Suitable.

12th-13th - Any Seed Planted Now Will Tend To Rot.

14th-15th Fine For Planting Beans, Tomatoes, Corn, Cotton, Cucumbers, Peppers, Melons And Other Aboveground Crops, Where Climate Allows. Plant Seedbeds And Flower Gardens.

16th-19th - Clear Ground, Turn Sod. Kill Plant Pests.

20th-22nd - Favorable Days For Planting Root Crops. Fine For Sowing Grains, Hay, And Forage Crops. Plant Flowers.

23rd-24th - Plant Carrots, Turnips, Onions, Beets, Irish Potatoes And Other Root Crops, In The South. Lettuce, Cabbage, Collards, And Other Leafy Vegetables Will Do Well. Start Seedbeds. Good Days For Transplanting.

25th-27th - Neither Plant Nor Sow On These Barren Days.

28th - Any Root Crops That Can Be Planted Now Will Do Well.

Much more can be found at the original.