Best Summer Days
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, based on the Moon’s signs (in case you were wondering)
I’ve always loved horoscopes, eagerly looking for my personal annual forecast on my birthday. Thinking about myself as part of a larger cycle of nature and futures written in the stars. We’ve always had the latest copy of the Old Farmer’s Almanac up at our Northwoods wilderness cabin (it has a place of honor in the bathroom, for easy reading.) The seemingly random need-to-know wisdom at one’s fingertips, just for the asking, is all in that small publication. And what’s good for Benjamin Franklin is certainly good for me—and who can argue with any publication established as far back as 1792. The No. 233rd edition tells me that it contains, besides “large numbers of Astrological Calculations and the Farmer’s Calendar for every month of the year”, it’s also filled with a variety of “New, Useful, & Entertaining Matter.” It’s true.
So in case you’re at a loss as to how to spend this summer (or need to determine the best days to cut your hair), please pick up your Almanac at the closest hardware store. I’m sharing here a small sampling of suggested “best days” to accomplish important tasks in the coming months (in addition to leisure activities, like cooking & eating, of course.)
Best days to bake: May 29-30; June 25-26; July 22-23; August 1-2, 28-29
Best days to make jams & jellies: missed the May window; June 17-18, July 14-15; August 10-11
Best days to can, pickle, & make sauerkraut (or kimchi): June 17-18; July 14-15; August 19-20
Best days to brew: June 7-8; July 4-6, 31; August 1-2, 28-29
Best days to wash windows: June 19-20; July 16-17; August 12-13
Best days to go camping: June 9-11; July 7-8; August 3-4, 30-31
Best days to travel for pleasure: May 31; June 1,27,28; July 24-26; August 22-22
Best days to ask for a loan: June 21-22, July 18-19, August 14-15
Best days to plant above ground crops: May 30, June 7-8, July 4-6, August 1-2, 28-29
Best days to plant below ground crops: June 17-18, July 22-23, August 19-20
Best days to destroy pests & weeds: June 19-20, July16-17, August 12-13
Best days to prune to encourage growth: June 9-11, July 7-8, August 3-4, 30-31
Best days to pick fruit: June 2-3, July 1, 27-28, August 23-24
Best days to harvest above ground crops: June 2-3, 29-30, July 1,27-28, August 23-24
Best days to harvest below ground crops: June 21-22, July 18-19, August14-15
Best days to mow to promote growth: May 30, June 7-8, July 4-6, August 1-2, 28-29
Best days to mow to slow growth: May 25-26, June 21-22, July 18-19, August 19-20
Best days to get married: June 4-6, July 2-3, 29-30, August 25-27
Best days to cut hay: June 19-20, July 16-17, August 12-13
Best days to purchase animals (this is non-specific, so could be either from the Humane Society or your local livestock purveyor): May 29-30, June 25-26, July 22-23, August 19-20
Best days to breed animals (I’ll skip the best days for castration): June 7-8, July 4-6, 31, August 1-2, 28-29
Best days to slaughter livestock (this does not include the cat who wakes you up too early): June 7-8, July 4-6, 31, August 1-2, 28-29
Best fishing days (the most important info up here at the lake), when the Moon is between new & full:
· May 26-31
· June 1-11, 25-30
· July 1-10, 24-31
· August 1-9, 23-31
Please accept this advice in the spirit it’s offered & enjoy your Memorial Day!
