Hodgepodges

Walkway that leads to large Terrace   

Hodgepodges

Hodgepodges are old sayings relating to gardening or the weather, etc., that have been passed down through the years. It’s fun to keep a record of them and check to see if they are true…or, just hodgepodge.

Gardening: Some farmers believe plants which grow above ground, such as beans, peas, cucumbers, etc. should be planted in the morning, so they will grow upward with the rising sun. Plants that grow underground, such as potatoes, radishes, onions, etc., should be planted in the afternoon, so they will grow downward, with the sinking sun. Corn should be knee high by July 4th; otherwise, the crop will not be good. A dry June, much corn, a wet June, no corn at all. 

Place cornbread crumbs about your cucumber plants. They will attract ants which will destroy the cucumber bugs. Stretch a piece of yarn over beans and other young plants and they will not be injured by frost. The frost will collect on the yarn, rather than touch the plants. After a frost, and before the sun comes up, spray plants and fruit trees with water and they will not be damaged by frost.

Sunshine and rain in one day brings rain again the following day. If the sun shines at the same time it rains, it will rain again the same time tomorrow. When dew is on the grass, rain will never pass. Rain before seven; stop before eleven. If it rains a lot in July and August, wild flowers will be abundant. It seldom rains at night in June. Never stand in an open field or under a tree during a thunderstorm. If it thunders in February, winter is broken. Thunder in January; frost in April. When farm animals or pets run around frisky or restless making noises, a strong wind is on the way.

Ring around the moon; rain soon. Ring around the sun; rain none. When the crescent moon is lying on it’s back so that the horns point up, the month will be a dry one, because the water cannot run out. When the crescent is tilted or when the horn points turn down, the month will be a wet one, because the water will run out. The old saying is that when an Indian can hang his horn on the moon, the month will be dry; when he cannot, it will be wet.

When squirrels run around like crazy gathering nuts, the winter will be a long one. Spring is seen when the mesquite tree turns green. Spring is about when the pecan tree buds out. Watch the weather on the day of the Equinox for a change. Spring is the first Sunday after the last full moon after the Vernal Equinox.