July 23-29, 2012

Only an act of observation can confer shape and form to reality – from a dandelion in a meadow to sun, wind and rain.

-Robert Lanza, M.D.

The Monarch Butterfly Moon waxes throughout the end of the month, entering its second quarter on July 26 at 3:56 p.m. Rising in the afternoon and setting in the middle of the night, this moon moves above the region throughout the evening, inciting fish (and dieters, too) to bite after supper.

Biting is likely to occur even more as the barometer falls in advance the July 28 weather system. Late-season plantings of flowers and vegetables, as well as the setting in of shrubs, are favored under Scorpio between July 25-28, and the moon’s weak phase between new and full may contribute to improved behavior in children and elders.

Weather patterns

Five years in 10 along the 40th Parallel, at least one cool afternoon in the 70s follows the late-month cool wave due on or about July 28. Evening lows in the 50s, unusual only two weeks ago, often occur after this front.

Throughout the country, average high temperatures drop 1 degree on July 28, their first drop since late January. Nevertheless, the Dog Days are not finished yet, and their power continues to hold for at least another two weeks.

Zeitgebers of next week include the blooming of purple ironweed, the ripening of blackberries, the beginning of the passage of monarch butterflies, the flocking of starlings, the loud calls of the katydids and crickets at night and elderberries darkening for wine.

July 23: When Joe Pye weed sends out its purple flowers in the wetlands, then farmers are preparing for August seedings of alfalfa, smooth brome grass, orchard grass, tall fescue, red clover and timothy.

July 24: As the last week of July begins, cardinals still greet the dawn, but they stop singing a little after daylight. Swallows are beginning their fall migrations.

July 25: As summer heat continues to build, remember that water consumption needs for your animals are between 2-3 times that of dry food. High protein feed that contains salt will add to your pets’ and livestock’s need for liquid.

July 26: Blueweed, white vervain, motherwort and white sweet clover end their seasons. Petals of the hobblebush darken. Parsnip heads, honewort pods and sweet cicely pods are dry enough to split and spill their seeds.

July 27: If your pasture is fading with the heat, consider Bermuda grass, crabgrass and dallisgrass for next year’s July forage.

July 28: Normal average temperatures start to fall and frost season is only 4-6 weeks away in much of the country as the dry onion harvest starts, geese start getting restless and the first Judas maple of the year turns a little red.

July 29: If you decide to gather leaves, flowers and buds of herbs for drying, collect them in the early morning before the heat of the day. Select the youngest, freshest parts of the plants, and hang them in a dry place.

July 30: When wild cherries darken on the wild cherry trees, then expect potato leafhoppers to be causing serious damage to your potatoes.

July 31: When you hear robins make their clucking migration calls, then make corrective lime and fertilizer applications for August and September seeding.