The Full Moon and Farming

 

The cyclic nature of the moon affects many of the cycles that occur on Earth’s surface. Like the tides that come and go according to the pull of the moon on Earth’s gravity, our moon can affect our food sources. Farmers have long held beliefs about the way that the moon can affect their yields, and the traditions of adhering to these beliefs has resulted in more modern beliefs that consuming food according to the lunar cycle is not only traditional, but also has some health benefits.

 

The Harvest Moon is probably the most familiar part of the lunar cycle. This annual occurrence has significance in nearly every culture. In the American Midwest, it is sometimes referred to as the “Corn Moon” if it occurs in September; it is the full moon that most closely coincides with the autumn equinox. This full moon allows for more light during the harvest of grains that can be stored in the winter. The light of the harvest moon allows the day of harvesting to last well into the night since it rises nearly an hour later than usual and is much brighter, according to most legends. When the harvest moon falls in October, it can replace the Hunter’s Moon. This moon is believed to provide more light for hunters to find meat in preparation for the winter, as well as allow them to see predators that could be lurking in the night.  

 

Farming itself depends on the full moon in a great deal of folklore. While Lunar Farming has grown in popularity over the last couple of decades, it is likely the oldest calendar used for farming, since it relies completely on the lunar cycles. Many of the lunar farming guides adhere to the folklore that planting types of vegetables according to the moon cycle will determine the success of the crop. The Summit County Farm Bureau says that the best time to plant vegetables that bear crops above the ground, like corn, should be planted in the light of the moon, either waxing or full, in order to achieve a peak yield. This can be tricky, however, since planting too early could result in a frost overtaking the crop, and planting too late could result in yields that are not ready for harvest, since the first full moon in Spring has a 28 day variance. Nevertheless, folklore provides a remedy to determine this as well. Local Harvest says that the folklore that informs when to plant is determined by the type of plant and the phase of the moon:

 

Once the Moon quakes with its First Quarter through the Full Moon phase you can plant above ground crops with inside seeds. In this quarter the gravitational pull is less, but the moonlight is strong, creating strong leaf growth. It is generally a good time for planting, especially two days before the full moon. Examples of these plants are beans, melons, peas, peppers, squash, and tomatoes.

 

Strong leaf growth means that the plant will produce edible food, since the leaves are the method in which plants take in their own food. Crops that produce below ground do not have to rely on leaves for nutrition as much, so they are planted on the last day of the full moon.