June 5th

By Mutt Mulligan

The Secrets of the Farmers’ Almanac

According to Wikipedia, the Farmers’ Almanac is an annual North American periodical that has been in continuous publication since 1818. Published by the Almanac Publishing Company, of Lewiston, Maine, it is famous for its long-range weather predictions and astronomical data, as well as its trademark blend of humor, trivia, and advice on gardening, cooking, fishing, and human-interest crusades.

Also, predictions for each edition are made as far as two years in advance. The Farmers’ Almanac publishers are highly secretive about the method used to make its predictions, only stating publicly that it is a “top secret mathematical and astronomical formula, that relies on sunspot activity, tidal action, planetary position and many other factors.” The identity of the Farmers’ Almanac weather forecaster is also a secret. The Almanac’s forecaster is referred to by the pseudonym Caleb Weatherbee.

Here is this year’s Gardening Calendar for June and July.

If you live in Alaska or Hawaii, you’re out of luck.  The U.S. edition of the Farmers’ Almanac does not include forecasts for these states.

Do you ever use this reference?