About the Almanac News
August 3, 2020
August 3 is National Watermelon Day and one of our favorite holidays in August! Watermelon is the perfect treat for a warm summer day. See how to pick the best watermelon and delicious watermelon recipes!
It’s National Watermelon Day!
To quote Mark Twain, “When one has tasted watermelon, he knows what the angels eat.” This American literary hero understood the serious deliciousness of this magical fruit (vegetable?), and, hopefully, on this beautiful day, you do, too.
It’s so refreshing and... more
June 16, 2020
In the kitchen, a fruit fly infestation can be a truly annoying experience. Here’s how to get rid of fruit flies, including how to make your own fruit fly trap!
Where Do Fruit Flies Come From?
Reach for a peach, and what happens? A squadron of fruit flies takes to the air above the fruit bowl! But where the heck did they come from?
They probably didn’t come from your grocery store produce. They tend to wander into your home from the outside when they catch the scent of fruit that’s ripening,... more
June 16, 2020
Looking for a fun way to spend your Father’s Day this Sunday? This holiday comes on the night of the new Moon! What a perfect time to enjoy stargazing. Plus, it’s the first full day of summertime, bringing more hours of sunshine. Celebrate with these Father’s Day ideas.
In 2020, Father’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday, June 21.
First Full Day of Summer on Father’s Day
This year, we’re all celebrating Father’s Day on the first full day of summer! The summer solstice is the evening prior (... more
May 31, 2020
“For they say when you marry in June, you’re a bride all your life.” Historically, June was the month of marriage. We’ll explain why—plus, share some June wedding ideas!
Getting Married in June
“Oh, they say when you marry in June you’re a bride all your life,
and the bridegroom who marries in June gets a sweet-heart for a wife.
Winter weddings can be gay like a Christmas holiday,
but the JUNE BRIDE hears the song of a spring that lasts all summer long.
By the light of the silvery moon, home... more
May 28, 2020
Why are there ants on my peonies? Will ants harm my peonies? Every year, peony season brings these questions. Plus, we hear that enduring (but delightful) myth that ants need to “tickle the buds” to help peonies open. Peonies and ants do have a relationship but it’s not quite what you may think.
In late spring, we rejoice in the breathtakingly beautiful peony blossoms. However, those of us with peonies in our garden may also notice ants, especially at the peony’s base.
Figure 1Ants searching... more
May 14, 2020
Plant a sunflower house! Having your sunflower tower is great for the birds and also just a fun activity to introduce kids to gardening. You’ll be blooming sprouts of sunshine in no time!
With their colorful centers ringed with a crown of petals, sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) may be the happiest flowers in the garden. They are guaranteed to brighten up even the gloomiest of days, whether planted in a long row along a fence or massed in a sunny border.
If you have space in the yard—and in... more
April 30, 2020
Some people rely more on weather lore than the weatherman. Here are some of our favorite weather adages for May, courtesy of The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Do any ring true for you?
Do you believe in this age-old lore? Share your thoughts—and any lore that comes to mind in the comments below.
Weather Lore for May
Dry May, wet June.
Cold, wet May,
Barn full of hay.
A cold May and a windy
Makes a barn full and findy.
(“Findy” means plentiful and substantial.)
A May flood never did anyone good.
Cold... more
April 30, 2020
It’s time for fiddlehead season again! Harvesting the young tips of the ostrich fern is a May tradition that has its roots in Native American times. Discover fiddleheads and the ancient family of ferns—which lived BEFORE dinosaurs walked the Earth! Discover the fascinating world of ferns, their healing powers, and more about fiddleheadin’.
What Are Fiddleheads?
In April, young ferns sprout from wet soil here in New Hampshire, appearing bright green against the decaying leaves. These are the... more
March 24, 2020
Got allergies? Why not try herbs for a healing cup of tea? Not only do most herbs grow well throughout the country, but also many calm and soothe those bothersome symptoms. Discover which herbs make a truly flavorful tea.
Why grow your own herbs? You can certainly buy herbs, but homegrown herbs are much flavorful than the herbal ingredients that you can buy. You definitely want your herb tea to have taste and personality, not be bland and flavorless.
Also, most herbs that can be used for tea... more
March 9, 2020
Did you know that the date of Easter—April 12 this year—is tied to the full Moon and the March equinox? Let us explain this curious connection …
Easter and the Paschal Full Moon
Easter is what’s known as a “movable feast”—in other words, a religious holiday that may fall on a different calendar date from year to year.
The date of Easter is tied not only to the full Moon, but to the March equinox (also called the spring or vernal equinox) and the relationship between them, too. Thanks to this,... more
Pages
FREE BEGINNER'S GARDEN GUIDE!
BONUS: You’ll also receive our Almanac Companion newsletter!
