The Old Farmer's Almanac Companion Newsletter

O thou who passest thro' our valleys in
Thy strength, curb thy fierce steeds, allay the heat
That flames from their large nostrils! thou, O Summer,
Oft pitched'st here thy goldent tent, and oft
Beneath our oaks hast slept, while we beheld
With joy thy ruddy limbs and flourishing hair.

–William Blake (1757–1827)

Sunday, July 29, 2018
210th day of the year
Autumn begins in 55 days

Martina McBride (singer) was born on this day in 1966.
Tom Snyder (talk show host) died on this day in 2007.

Question of the Day
What and when was the year with no summer? Answer

Harvesting Basil

Basil
Basil is a warm-weather, fragrant herb that tastes great in Italian dishes—and let’s not forget homemade pesto! Plant seeds or transplants after all danger of frost has passed and soil is warm, and it will yield an abundant harvest within weeks. Keep harvesting the leaves to keep the plant going strong.

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How to Beat Bugs

How to Beat Bugs in Your Garden
While some insects are beneficial, others are an ever-present pest in the vegetable garden—but there’s no reason that they should get the better of you or your crops.

WATCH VIDEO

The Old Farmer's Almanac All-Natural Insect Repellent

This DEET-free, extra-strength bug spray will effectively repel ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, blackflies, yellow flies, chiggers, and other pesky, biting bugs!

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$9.97

Climate, Change, and CO2

Climate, Change, and CO2: How Each Affects the Weather
We see the weather change every day; weather is the condition of the atmosphere over relatively short periods of time, from seconds to a few years. Less apparent are changes in climate: Climate is the average and range of weather events over longer periods, from decades to centuries—or longer.

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Delta Aquarids Peak Tonight

Meteor Shower Calendar 2018
When is the next meteor shower? See the Almanac’s 2018 Meteor Shower Calendar for the dates of all the principal meteor showers during the year, plus meteor shower viewing tips.

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Ode to a Cow Almanac Wooden Sign

This poem was originally printed in The 1936 Old Farmer’s Almanac. Its inspirational advice is still relevant for today’s busy lifestyles.

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$24.95