Oct. 24-30, 2011

Now retrospect and prospect have their share,

For autumn like the Janus of the year

Holds spring to spring in double-handed keeping.

-Vita Sackville-West

The Leafturn Moon wanes down October until it becomes the new Second-Spring Moon (which is “double-handed” because it is actually brings spring-like growth during the autumn) on Oct. 26 at 3:56 p.m.

Rising in the morning and setting in the evening, the new moon is always overhead near the middle of the day, favoring hunting, fishing, feeding of livestock and children – but causing havoc to dieters at that time – particularly as the cold front of Oct. 30 approaches.

Passing into Scorpio on Oct. 26-27, then into Capricorn on Oct. 30-31, the dark moon will support the transplanting of shrubs, trees and perennials. It may also promote long-term growth of new garlic and the survival of herbs and flowers brought indoors against the frost.

Weather patterns

This week is generally a brighter one than last week. Chances for sun are about 70 percent throughout the period, and some of the driest days are Oct. 26, 28 and 29 (each having just a 15 percent chance for precipitation).

The sixth high-pressure system of the month usually arrives near Halloween. If it is approaching on Oct. 31, that evening will be warm, with maybe a little rain. If the front arrives on Oct. 29 or 30, the eve of All Saints Day (Halloween) is usually chilly.

Daybook

Oct. 24: Cabbage worms (and people) still eat the cabbages and kale, but the seasons of tomatoes, beans, eggplant and squash are usually winding down.

Oct. 25: Colder ground temperatures in the 40s and 50s combine with a reduction in the average amount of daylight and sunlight this month to bring an end to the grazing season in most of the northern half of the nation. Make the autumn feeding transition to supplements and hay as gradual and stress-free as possible, and that includes a gradual transition at the end of Daylight Saving Time in November.

Oct. 26: The moon is new today, and likely to influence the weather. Expect unsettled conditions throughout the final week of the month.

Oct. 27: Pastures may be re-greening in some areas now, part of the second-spring process that brings resurgence in wildflower development in the woods. Provide plenty of free-choice hay to livestock in order to reduce the chance they will gorge themselves on fresh growth.

Oct. 28: When thimbleweed heads are tufted like cotton (now), that’s the time to plan marketing your goat and sheep cheese, Christmas cacti, dried flowers and grasses, poinsettias, mistletoe and ginseng for the holidays.

Oct. 29: Feed the trees after all their leaves are down. If you put the leaves in bags and leave alone, they will turn to compost and be ready for the garden in March of 2013 or 2014. To speed up decay, run the leaves through the lawnmower first.

Oct. 30: As the moon waxes, complete preparation of cold frames. Move a selection of greens and other hardy vegetables now before the weather turns more damaging. Provide ventilation, of course, when the days are mild.