The brilliant Harvest Moon is an illuminating phenomenon that occurs in either September or October, depending on how the lunar cycle lines up with the Gregorian calendar. Unlike other full moons, this one isn’t associated with a specific month and is instead named in relation to the timing of the autumnal equinox, which arrives on September 22nd, 2022.
It’s called the Harvest Moon because of the abundance of bright moonlight it brings in the early evening, which was a traditional aide to farmers harvesting their summer-grown crops. For several nights, the moonrise comes after sunset, welcoming a particularly beautiful grow across the Peninsula.
For those in our community getting ready to harvest their crops, the long-awaited Harvest Moon will help to light the way. Here’s a look at some of the vegetation that thrives in our area this time of year – some of which you may already be growing in your own garden.
Kale
Kale is merely one of the cooking greens that flourishes at the Peninsula. Some prefer to plant kale in the late winter or early spring, but thanks to Knoxville’s warmer climate, it can also be planted in the late summer for a fall to winter harvest. Kale takes roughly three months to reach maturity from seed, while cuttings will mature in about one month.
Brussel Sprouts
Brussel sprouts aren’t the easiest crop to grow, but the Peninsula provides the perfect environment for them to succeed. This tasty vegetable requires a long growing season and is considered a cool-season crop, meaning that they produce best when grown for a fall or early winter harvest.
Maple
Maple trees scatter the Peninsula every year with their beauty. As the leaves start to change, their vibrant shades of orange, yellow, and red create an eye-catching scenery that sets the stage for the season. Often seen standing gracefully in front yards, maples are easy to grow and can be useful in many ways – aside from making gorgeous additions to our community. Maple is a popular wood for furniture and cabinetry and makes for fantastic firewood. You can also use the sap of a sugar maple variety to make maple syrup, as well as maple wood chips for adding a smoky flavor to your favorite cuts of meat.
