Is it true that old-time farmers...

There are tales of gardeners using this method. If the soil was comfortable for the gardener or farmer, it would also be comfortable for the plants, they reasoned. Similarly, an old wives’ tale in England held that turnips should be planted by naked gardeners. This may stem from the fact that turnips fail miserably when planted too early, so if it was warm enough to go naked, it was warm enough for turnips! For obvious reasons, we at The Old Farmer’s Almanac will refrain from attesting to the efficacy of either of these methods.