Tonight, April 11th, is the date of this year’s Pink Moon, and everyone is talking about it on social media. But what makes the Moon pink on this particular date?
Sorry to disappoint you, but turns out the Pink Moon isn’t actually of a rosy hue. The title “Pink Moon” is credited to Native American tribes, many of them practiced the custom of naming every Full Moon according to the cycles of the year (like Cold Moon in December or Harvest Moon in September). In the case of this moon, the “pink” comes from the wild ground phlox that rapidly blooms in the springtime. The different full moons were a way of tracking the seasons ahead, and you can still find this knowledge in the Farmer’s Almanac.
More gardeners today are turning to the moon for sage advice on the best time to plant, prune, weed, and harvest. The practice, known as moon or lunar gardening, centers on the moon’s gravitational effect on the flow of moisture in soil and plants.
In the Northern hemisphere, April has been associated with agriculture since time immemorial, marking the time when the first tender shoots and blades of grass appear (or in Dawson City, it is the time when you break out the gum boots and put away the parkas). April brings seedlings, sprouts, new life and new beginnings, as symbolized by festivities such as Easter, Passover or Beltane. Which makes April’s Full Moon extra special for farmers or anyone with an interest in gardening.
So if you haven’t done it yet, why not sow some seeds tonight?
Tickled Pink – How April’s Full Moon is special for growing
Tonight, April 11th, is the date of this year’s Pink Moon, and everyone is talking about it on social media. But what makes the Moon pink on this particular date?
Sorry to disappoint you, but turns out the Pink Moon isn’t actually of a rosy hue. The title “Pink Moon” is credited to Native American tribes, many of them practiced the custom of naming every Full Moon according to the cycles of the year (like Cold Moon in December or Harvest Moon in September). In the case of this moon, the “pink” comes from the wild ground phlox that rapidly blooms in the springtime. The different full moons were a way of tracking the seasons ahead, and you can still find this knowledge in the Farmer’s Almanac.
More gardeners today are turning to the moon for sage advice on the best time to plant, prune, weed, and harvest. The practice, known as moon or lunar gardening, centers on the moon’s gravitational effect on the flow of moisture in soil and plants.
In the Northern hemisphere, April has been associated with agriculture since time immemorial, marking the time when the first tender shoots and blades of grass appear (or in Dawson City, it is the time when you break out the gum boots and put away the parkas). April brings seedlings, sprouts, new life and new beginnings, as symbolized by festivities such as Easter, Passover or Beltane. Which makes April’s Full Moon extra special for farmers or anyone with an interest in gardening.
So if you haven’t done it yet, why not sow some seeds tonight?