Editors' Musings
May 10, 2021
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 27, 2021
It is a myth that peonies require ants to bloom by “tickling the buds” to help the flowers open. Peonies and ants do have a mutually-beneficial relationship, but it’s not quite what you may think. Here’s the story about peonies and ants—plus, tips on how to bring peonies indoors without the ants.
In late spring, we rejoice in the breathtakingly beautiful peony blossoms. However, those of us with peonies in our garden may also notice the ants’ arrival, especially around the peony’s base or on... more
April 1, 2021
I find ferns and fiddleheads fascinating (say that five times!). Harvesting the young tips of the ostrich fern is a spring tradition that has its roots in Native American times. As a family, ferns are truly ancient—growing BEFORE dinosaurs walked the Earth! Learn more about magical fern folklore, history, healing, and all about the young ferns called fiddleheads!
What Are Fiddleheads?
In April, young ferns sprout from wet soil here, appearing bright green against the decaying leaves. These are... more
March 21, 2021
What is “real” maple syrup? When is maple syrup made? How are trees tapped? What are maple syrup’s 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.” There is NO... more
March 3, 2021
Every year, we patiently look for the first signs of spring in the air—leaves budding, birds singing, and butterflies migrating. Tell us: What are you observing in your neck of the woods?
Even if it’s still winter and your ground is covered in snow, observe closely! There are always subtle signs that spring is on the way. For example:
1. Birds are singing!
Backyard birds are one of the best predictors. There is a weather proverb that states, “Bluebirds are a sign of spring; warm weather and... more
February 9, 2021
Our 2021 Online Garden Planner is easier, faster, and better—thanks to your input over the past two years! It has so many amazing features, figuring out how much space plants require, how to group vegetables, exactly when to sow seeds for your location—plus, get a printable planting schedule. This is powerful stuff!
“You have made gardening EASY and FUN! Fail-safe crop rotations, plant quantities and supply (irrigation) lists specific to my plan, planting times for my location for indoor and... more
January 19, 2021
Discover the best herbs for tea and how to make a good, flavorful cup of herbal tea! Not only do herbal teas offer a wide variety of flavors—from mint to chamomile—but also some herbal teas provide health benefits, including allergy relief. See 10 herbs for tea.
At some point, you’ve probably had bland, tasteless tea. This is likely due to either the herbs or the method used to make it—both solvable issues! Let’s start with the herbs …
When it comes to herbs for tea, homegrown herbs—such as... more
January 1, 2021
From the Babylonians who resolved to return borrowed farm equipment to medieval knights who would renew their vow to chivalry, New Year resolutions are nothing new. See this brief history—and compare the top 10 resolutions from the 1940s to today! Are you surprised?
Short History of New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s resolutions actually go back to ancient times! So, before you pooh-pooh the idea, let’s explore the history behind this tradition.
In 2000 B.C., the Babylonians celebrated the New... more
December 23, 2020
Is the year 2021 the start of a new decade? Or, did it begin in 2020; after all, we’re living in the “twenties.” It’s a simple question, but the answer can depend on the words you use! There are two ways of thinking about this. We’ll explain—and let us know what you think.
What Is a Decade?
When does the new decade begin and end, anyway? Let’s consider what the word “decade” means. The Oxford Dictionary states, “a period of 10 years, especially a period such as 1910–1919 or 1990–1999.” That’s ... more
November 15, 2020
Keeping warm is a basic need we all share. As we go into winter’s chilliest months, we present our top tips for keeping cozy that don’t include turning up the furnace!
Here are some tips—from both Almanac editors and readers—about how to stay warm. These aren’t “big” projects like buying a new heating system—just inexpensive, resourceful ways to help you warm up now!
How to Keep Warm in Winter
1. Dress in Layers
Bundle up. Wear long underwear, sweaters, and even hats indoors. Remember the days... more
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Your Old Farmer’s Almanac editors occasionally share our reflections, advice, and musings—and welcome your comments!
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