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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
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 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 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
March 28, 2019
Ferns are fascinating! This ancient family of plants—which lived BEFORE dinosaurs walked the Earth—has a prominent place in folklore and legend. Discover fern symbolism, healing powers, growing tips, and even recipes for cooking the young fiddlehead fern!
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 fiddleheads, so-called because the very tops—furled tight when young—look like the tuning... more
March 20, 2019
Learn how to predict frost, differentiate between a light frost and a hard freeze, and protect your garden from frost with these tips!
How to Predict a Frost
First, plan ahead. Look up the average frost dates for your area to know when frosts are most likely to occur. Use our Frost Dates Calculator to find frost dates for spring and fall in your area.
Keep in mind that frosts can vary greatly by microclimate. In fact, while you may have frost in your garden, your neighbor across the street may... more
March 7, 2019
Was Saint Nicholas a real person? Actually, he was! Find out about the history of St. Nicholas (and St. Nicholas Day) as well as his ties to Santa Claus!
Saint Nicholas Day: The Feast of Sinterklaas
Many countries in Europe celebrate the Feast of Sinterklaas—also known as St. Nicholas—on the eve of December 6. After dinner, families hunt for their presents, following clues in funny, anonymous poems. In Belgium and the Netherlands, a fellow dressed as St. Nicholas would arrive by ship on... more
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