What does it mean to eat by the weather?

Eating by the sky: refers to living by natural conditions.

Source: Qing Wenkang's Biography of Heroes of Children: "Why do people say that eating depends on the sky and dressing depends on the ground?"

Since ancient times, farmers who depend on the weather have always hoped for good weather all year round, which seems to be a natural blessing. Agriculture is inextricably linked with the weather. At present, the harvest or production of agriculture in China depends largely on the help of heaven. Because field crops are greatly restricted by weather and climate conditions, human beings can't change a wide range of weather and climate conditions, so the situation of relying on the weather to eat can't be changed.