One of the most bits of weather lore our readers most frequently ask about is how to predict the severity of the coming winter using persimmon seeds. There’s a long-standing belief that if you cut open a seed and see see knife-shape, it means the coming winter will be cold and icy – so cold that it cuts like a knife – while a spoon-shape indicates you’ll be doing a lot of shoveling. A fork shape means winter will be mild.
For the last few years, Johnsonville, N.C., resident Melissa Bunker – affectionately known as the Persimmon Lady around here – has been reporting her persimmon seed findings. This year, Melissa cut open 10 persimmon seeds and found 10 spoons.
Do you believe that persimmon seeds can predict the weather? Is there some other indicator you use, such as acorns or woolly bear caterpillars? Or do you think the whole thing is a hogwash?
Tell us your favorite weather signs below, or go to our Facebook page to share photos of persimmon seeds, caterpillars, or any other indicator from your neck of the woods!
If you notice a hole in the upper left-hand corner of your Farmers' Almanac, don't return it to the store! That hole isn't a defect; it's a part of history. Starting with the first edition of the Farmers' Almanac in 1818, readers used to nail holes into the corners to hang it up in their homes, barns, and outhouses (to provide both reading material and toilet paper). In 1910, the Almanac's publishers began pre-drilling holes in the corners to make it even easier for readers to keep all of that invaluable information (and paper) handy.
28 comments
I am in Coweta, OK and I split 4 seeds… all spoons. 10-28-12
Just cut open ten seeds.all spoons on knotts Island nc
All spoons on Northern Neck Va.
Southern Illinois–Use pliars to squeeze them open-much easier than a knife and safer. 10 had spoons and 1 had two points (is that a fork) one didn’t have anything(?) Oh, yes, they were ripe and quite tasty. Have not seen a knife in one in twenty years. Have seen some with three points and thought that was the fork but have not seen any pictures from anyone
I cut one open the other day and it was a little early to do so but it was a knife with a little scoop to it. This was in El Reno, Oklahoma. 9-6-2012
Persimmon, and pecans trees haven’t lied to me once. My persimmons say a cold winter in So Ga. And the pecans will tell me when the frost is over when they start to bud out. I don’t know how, but they know. It’s too bad we’ve lost so much knowledge of nature in this new world of technology.
Just cut three open and spoons for all three in in Hogansville GA.
live in south east kansas…..what do you think we are in store for?
Hello everyone!
June here. Just split my first “P” Seed of the Season. WAS A FORK! How ’bout y’all?
J
My parents have a persimmon tree and checked a few weeks ago – Spoon. We live in Kansas.
Thanks for the report in Arkansas Judy. My brother in Oklahoma has been cutting persimmon seeds open for many years and we have all relied upon its results….Just haven’t got to it this year. I will definitely prepare for it.
Spoons in Hot Springs, Arkansas!
Opened 5 seeds here in Indiana just south of Indy, spoons here too!!!!!
Brownsboro, Texas show all spoons!!! Yay!
5 persimmons, 5 spoons,Again here in Pryor, Northeast Oklahoma, 45 miles east of Tulsa…=)=)=)
I live in Middle Tennessee. We just opened our Persimmon to find a spoon. We did have more snow than usual last year, and I hope this means we’ll have plenty more this year too.
I cracked 18 seeds this morning and 16 had spoons. Two had nothing. The persimmons say a lot of snow for Southern Illinois!!!
So I am understanding correctly we r to be prepared this year for snow
We checked 5 persimmon seeds in Greer, SC on 9/29/2011 and they were all spoons.
Persimmon seeds in Bullard Texas have spoons.
Dear Mrsbama,
I put them sideways in my mouth and bite down. The seed will split in two. Its safer than using a knife! ~The Persimmon Lady
My sister & I picked up persimmons yesterday. Six of the seeds I opened were SPOONS too. We’re in Hickory, NC
How do you get the seeds open?
I’m starting to become a big fan of the persimmon lady! I live in Waynesville, NC and her report was dead-on last year!
You have been right the last two years, so I guess we are gonna have some white stuff this year!
It is quite interesting and quite similar to the theory of far east countries’ weather prediction empricism.The theory of weather prediction in far east countries uses Five Element theory correspondint to five planets in solar system. There, the shape of long knife stands for strong wind, the shape of spoon means humid weather, and finally the shape of fork describbes fire , etc. I hope this comment will help you.
Yes and there are 9 seeds in the photograph
My daughters were examining a seed for themselves when the photo was taken.
Hey guys, the persimmon read for this year was held in Harnett County. ~ The Persimmon Lady
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