When the moon is full in February, the weather is still so very cold. But among the snow, the first signs pop up that winter may be ending. About time, because food is getting scarce. With sleepy eyes, the groundhogs looks out of their doors to see how long it will be until spring is coming. But carefully, because eagles are hungry and might see them. Better stay inside where it’s safe and warm.
The name “Snow Moon” comes from the fact that February is often one of the snowiest months of the year. The Snow Moon serves as a friendly reminder to stock up on hot cocoa and firewood. Culturally, the Snow Moon has long been associated with winter survival. Native American tribes used the Snow Moon as a way to mark the passing of time, and to prepare for the challenges of the coming months.
February is a month for starting the gardening season in different parts of the world. For gardeners in milder climates, such as the West Coast of the United States or the Mediterranean region, February is a great time to start planting hardy greens like spinach, lettuce, and kale directly in the garden. In these areas, you can also begin preparing your garden beds for warmer weather crops like tomatoes and peppers. Meanwhile, indoor gardeners in these regions can start seeds for herbs like basil, dill, and cilantro, as well as flowers like marigolds, zinnias, and sunflowers.
For gardeners in colder climates, such as the Northeast United States or Northern Europe, February may still be too cold for outdoor planting. However, it’s still a great time to start seeds for herbs and flowers indoors. Pruning fruit trees is also a good task to tackle in February, as it encourages healthy growth and makes room for new buds and fruit.
In warmer climates, such as the South and Southwest United States, gardeners should be mindful of planting too early in the month, as a sudden cold snap could harm delicate seedlings. In these regions, it’s best to wait until later in February or even early March to start planting outdoors. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t start indoor gardening projects, such as growing herbs and starting seeds for warm weather crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
No matter where you are in the world, February is a month of new beginnings in the garden. Get ready to get your hands dirty and bring some life back to your garden!
Now, for the fun part: celebrating the Snow Moon! Bundle up and head outside for a moonlit snowshoe hike, build a cozy fire pit in your backyard and enjoy the moonlight, or have a movie night featuring all your favorite winter-themed films. And of course, no Snow Moon celebration would be complete without indulging in a hot cup of cocoa or a steamy cup of soup.
Happy Snow Moon! 🌝
The full moon in February is also known as:
Bear Moon (Ojibwe)
Bony Moon (Cherokee)
Budding Moon (Chinese)
Chaste Moon
Eagle Moon (Cree)
Goose Moon (Haida)
Grain Moon (South Africa)
Groundhog Moon (Algonquin)
Hungry Moon (Cherokee)
Ice Moon (Old English)
Little Famine Moon (Choctaw)
Moon of Ice (Celtic)
Moon When Trees Pop (Dakota) (Sioux)
Navam Poya (Buddhist)
Raccoon Moon (Dakota) (Sioux)
Snow Moon (Dakota) (Neo Pagan) (Old English)
Storm Moon (Old English) (Wicca)
Trappers Moon
Upcoming Snow Moons: 2022 February 16, 16:57 UTC 2023 February 5, 18:29 UTC 2024 February 24, 12:30 UTC 2025 February 12, 13:53 UTC 2026 February 1, 22:09 UTC
