Living in a farming community it can be surprising to observe how farmers in England and Scotland still fall back on superstitions that must be centuries of years old. Working so close to nature, portents observed in the past have been passed down through the generations and although many may well be superstitions they can prove to be surprisingly reliable. I’ve noticed many a time a local farmer’s predictions about the weather have been spot on and more accurate than the Weather Forecasters!

Living and working with the land, farmers are superstitious about where and when to plant crops and many work with and respect the phases of the Moon.

In fact even the least green fingered of personalities could boast a modicum of gardening success if they followed a few fundamental rules based upon observations and superstitions about the Moon’s regular monthly cycles.

For instance the Moon is said to be the most fruitful when in the signs Taurus, Cancer, Libra, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces. Seeds planted, therefore, whilst the Moon is occupying any of these signs and in a favourable phase (which will be discussed later) could produce more promising results than for example if the Moon was occupying Gemini, Leo or Virgo which are said to be ‘barren signs’ or Aries, Sagittarius and Aquarius which again aren’t so ‘fruitful’.

Nevertheless these ‘barren’ signs as regards the position of the Moon are thought to give best indication of when to weed, destroy pests, spray or dig.

Having a good idea on which signs are most favourable for planting the next stage is to consider the Moon’s phases ~ the new Moon, first quarter, full Moon and last quarter.

According to superstition, flowers, trees, bushes and vegetables which mature above the ground should be planted at the time of the new Moon and within the next fortnight or so, until just before the full Moon, preferably when the Moon is in fruitful signs.

However, bulbs, root crops and plants which mature below ground are best planted so superstition goes, between around 48 hours before the full Moon and within the following ten days or so.

Mowing the lawn and trimming plants and bushes should be carried out during the new Moon and first quarter and when the Moon is in fruitful signs, as described above. Pruning however is best carried out during the full Moon and last quarter. The most superstitious farmers will use this last quarter also to weed and fight pests.

The above superstitions will have their origins on observations of the Moon’s cycles and nature. Similarly the saying that when it is frosty and the north wind blows, plants will remained unharmed whereas a south wind with frost spells disaster is likely to be based on observation. It is also believed that frosty nights between the new moon and full moon won’t damage plants.

Others aren’t so easy to justify, such as iron or rusty nails placed around seeds will make the plant grow better, finding a black snake is a sign of good harvest and seeds planted by a pregnant woman should flourish.

Can plants feel? ~ A former CIA authority on lie detectors, in the 1960s wired a house plant to a polygraph and was astonished to find the plant recorded emotional responses similar to those of humans.

The plant showed a reaction when it was watered and when a match was put near it, it registered alarm. In the mid 19th C, German physicist Gustav Fechner argued that plants as well as animals had souls.

In some parts of England it is still customary when someone dies, to whisper the news of this death to their favourite plants or, according to superstition, the plants will wither and die too.

Are people superstitious in thinking that plants have personality? This is a controversy that continues to this day.