Oct. 10-16, 2011

The spring comes like a tide running against a strong wind; it is ever beaten back, but ever gaining ground, with now and then a mad “push upon the land” as if to overcome its antagonist at one blow. The cold from the north encroaches upon us in about the same fashion.

In September or early October it usually makes a big stride forward ... but it is presently beaten back again, and the genial warmth repossess the land. Before long, however, the cold returns to the charge with augmented forces and gains much ground.

-John Burroughs

The Leafturn Moon, full on Oct. 11, wanes throughout the period, entering its last quarter on Oct. 19 at 10:30 p.m. Rising in the afternoon and setting before dawn, this moon will lie overhead at night.

As the moon wanes through its third quarter this week, it will favor the setting out of garlic, shrubs and trees, and the planting and transplanting of perennials. Lunar conditions will be especially propitious when the moon lies in Taurus Oct. 12-14 and in Cancer on Oct. 17-18.

Although seasonal affective disorders (S.A.D.) gradually increase as the leaves come down, the weakening moon should briefly soften the transition to autumn by the middle of this month, as it enters its final phase. Fishing and hunting are favored by the moon early in the morning next week or late in the afternoon, especially as the cold front of Oct. 17 approaches, pushing down the barometer and making creatures hungry and restless.

While most afternoons are now in the 50s and 60s, the weather does warm up sometimes: Oct. 15 and 16 each have a 40 percent chance for highs in the 70s or 80s, and the other days at least have a 30 percent chance of such temperatures.

Lows in the 20s or 30s are most likely to occur on the mornings of Oct. 19 and 20, with the latter carrying the highest chances for a freeze so far this season: a full 30 percent chance for a light frost, and an additional 20 percent chance for a hard freeze.

Most days next week have a 30 percent chance for precipitation, with Oct. 16 and 17 being the wettest (with a 40 percent chance). The times most likely to produce snow are Oct. 18-20, but only 5-10 percent of all the years.

Oct. 10: Farmers often apply nitrogen, phosphate and potash now in order to decrease their springtime workload.

Oct. 11: The Leafturn Moon is full today, and it is expected to intensify the effects of the Columbus Day cold front.

Oct. 12: In the cooler, wetter nights, crickets and katydids are weakening. Only a few swallowtails and fritillaries visit the garden, and just a few fireflies glow in the grass.

Out in the fields, almost all the wildflowers have gone to seed. Wild cucumber fruits are dry and empty. Hosta pods are splitting, black seeds ready to fall in a storm. Wild asparagus yellows by the roadsides. The final sedum blossoms are closing for the year.

Oct. 13: As alfalfa growth slows, move your flock and herd to orchard grass, timothy, bluegrass and broom grass.

Oct. 14: The darkening moon now favors setting spring flower bulbs and transplanting perennials. The best lunar grain harvest conditions, as well as the most propitious lunar times for trimming hooves (and fingernails), worming livestock, putting on shingles, cutting wood and hair and having surgery, are thought to occur at the time of the waning moon.

Oct. 15: When beggartick seeds stick to your pants, then check your horses for horse-bot eggs.

Oct. 16: Coyotes often become more aggressive in October. Check your fences and keep your guard animals on alert. If one of your animals does happen to be killed, dispose of the carcass immediately. In general, a coyote will kill by attacking the throat. Dogs usually work in packs, and leave bite marks on the hind legs and rear ends of the animals.