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September 18, 2019
It’s time again to shine the spotlight on a certain caterpillar—the woolly worm! According to folklore, this fuzzy fellow has the ability to predict the weather.
Also called the woolly bear caterpillar, the banded woolly bear, or just woolly worm, he’s the larva of the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella).
In terms of appearance, the caterpillar has segments of either rusty brown or black. Often, he is black on both ends with rust-colored segments in the middle, although he might be... more
September 17, 2019
Signs of autumn are in the air. Anyone who’s sweated their way through a long hot summer might be ready for a change of season. What says autumn to you?
The September equinox arrives on September 23, 2019, but signs of autumn are all around us.
Sunlight
Have you noticed it’s darker now in the mornings? The sun is rising later—and setting earlier, too. The days get noticeably shorter as it gets dark earlier each night. See your Sunrise/Sunset Times and Length of Day.
If you closely observe the... more
August 29, 2019
For some kids, the two best times of the year are Christmas and the potato harvest. Yes, you heard it! Digging up potatoes! There’s a certain joy in unearthing these garden treasures.
A Family Tradition
Every year, Cully Colantino, age 13, visits his uncle in Monticello, Maine, with his little sister Florence to harvest potatoes at an uncle’s 1,000-acre farm.
His mother, Kirsten, says their visits to her family farm are also one of her favorite traditions. “I was raised spending summers and... more
June 11, 2019
Looking for a fun way to spend your Father’s Day 2019? With the full Moon shining, enjoy camping, fishing, or a night under the stars! See our Father’s Day ideas.
Full Moon on Father’s Day
Did you know that the full Moon shines on Father’s Day 2019?
The full Moon will rise around sunset on Sunday, June 16 and then set in the west around sunrise on the 17th.
Find out full Moon information.
Stargazing with Dad
Here’s another treat for Father’s Day. On June 16 and 17, the full Moon meets planet ... more
May 24, 2019
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche said, “The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time.” If you don’t want to prove his point, read on for ways to boost your memory!
We referenced The 2003 Old Farmer’s Almanac to compile some interesting tidbits and tips about your brain and memory. Look inside this year’s Old Farmer’s Almanac here!
Memory Myths and Reality: Don’t Be Fooled
Here are some common misconceptions about memory and the reasons why... more
May 21, 2019
The peonies in my backyard always have ants crawling on the flower buds. Many people think ants are a pest on peonies. There’s also a endearing myth that ants “tickle the buds” or “lick the sugar” to help them open. Learn more about ants on peony flowers.
In late spring, we await the arrival of 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 1 Ants searching for nectar on a peony flower.... more
April 30, 2019
Some people rely more on weather lore than the weatherman. Here are some of our favorites, courtesy of The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
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 weather always falls on May 11, 12, and 13.
St.... more
April 30, 2019
How to do you plant flowers in a pot or container? What do you put in the bottom of your planter? How do you ensure drainage? I attended an outdoor container gardening lecture at The Boston Flower and Garden Show and thought I’d share tips on how to create a basic planter.
5 Steps to Planting a Container
Whether you’re planting a container for outdoor flowers, vegetables, or herbs, the basic planter components can be the same. The trick is in the layering.
Before you start, use the right... more
April 18, 2019
A “Pink Easter Moon” will rise the morning of Good Friday! Did you know that the date of Easter—April 21 this year—is tied to the full Pink Moon and the Vernal (Spring) Equinox? Understand the curious connection …
Easter and the Paschal Full Moon
Easter is what’s known as a “movable feast”—in other words, a religious holiday that falls on different calendar dates from year to year.
See our EASTER PAGE to learn how to calculate the date of Easter.
The date of Easter is tied not only to the full... more
April 12, 2019
What is “real” maple syrup? What makes good maple syrup weather? How are trees tapped? What are maple syrup health benefits? Discover nature’s liquid gold!
The Old Farmer’s Almanac headquarters in New Hampshire is surrounded by maple trees. Wherever you look, there are sap buckets on those trees—at the local school, in neighbors’ woods, and along the road.
And if you drive by a “sugarhouse” and see steam billowing, they’re boiling the sap to produce maple syrup—or, what I call “liquid gold.”... more
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