To find out about The Full Moon Art Challenge and learn how to join in, visit the event page. Don’t forget to tag your art #FullMoonArtChallenge2024 so we can find it online.

If you’re joining in, share your Haymaking Moon art on July 20th, 21st, or 22nd.

Let’s Make Some Hay

In the old German tradition, the name for July’s moon is the “Hay Making Moon.” Have a cute little farmer moon.

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And here’s seven months of moons:

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Hey, facts! (Hay Facts)

Honestly, before I started investigating this moon name, I don’t think I knew hay was harvested during the summer (curse my urban/suburban life experience.) According to a quick internet search, it’s good to cut hay in the summer, when the weather is driest. This helps to ensure your hay crop is dry so it won’t mold or rot in storage. I guess all those cartoons that show haystacks outside against green trees and blue summer skies knew what they were doing after all.

Also, moonlight seems to be an useful part of the hay harvest. Hay builds up sugars during the day, then uses them up for growth and restoration at night. Farmers often cut their hay at night when the hay’s sugar content is highest. A haymaking moon must come in handy for a little extra light on harvesting nights.

I learn so much about what happens each season by doing these art challenges.

When August is Upon Us…

I’ll be making the next piece for August’s Harvest Moon.

If you are participating in the Full Moon Art Challenge, share your Harvest Moon art on August 18th, 19th, or 20th, with the actual full moon rising on the 19th.