The Old Farmer's Almanac Companion Newsletter

If the first week in August is unusually warm,
The winter will be white and long.
–proverb

Thursday, August 2, 2018
214th day of the year
Autumn begins in 51 days

Tim Wakefield (baseball player) was born on this day in 1966.
Shari Lewis (actress and puppeteer, best known for Lamb Chop) died on this day in 1998.

Question of the Day
I am interested in any folklore concerning marriage and the Moon. Answer

Caring for Lilies

Lilies
Everyone loves lilies. With large, showy blooms, lilies add striking elegance to the yard and garden from early to midsummer. Grown from bulbs, lilies are perennial flowers that will return year after year and require minimal care, provided that you plant them in the right place.

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SPONSORED

Feel Years Younger by Boosting Your Stem Cells at Home

Los Angeles doctor explains the at-home trick to feeling younger and improving your quality of life.

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Growing Potatoes

Potatoes
Wondering how to grow potatoes? We’re here to help! The taste and the texture of homegrown potatoes are far superior to those of store-bought spuds, especially the early varieties. Here’s how to plant, grow, and harvest potatoes in your garden.

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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

Threshing Dried Beans

Threshing Dry Beans | John Withee's Bean Bag Method
The late John Withee was once known in seed-saving circles as the “Bean Man” for his devotion to saving heirloom bean seeds. He developed a unique system for threshing dry beans. In 1980, John showed us how his threshing method works. We’ve never found a better system, and we recommend it to anyone who faces a big pile of dried bean plants this fall.

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Leg Cramps at Night

Leg Cramps at Night: Causes and Remedies
Eeow! Startled from a deep sleep, you suddenly come to with a shriek, as your calf, thigh, or maybe the arch of your foot contracts in violent pain. Leg cramps can be a common and painful occurrence—here’s what causes leg cramps at night, as well as how you can prevent and relieve them.

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Can You Identify Poison Oak?

Poison Oak: Identification and Treatment
“Leaves of three, let it be!” “Hairy vine, no friend of mine!” Learn how to spot poison oak, tell the difference between poison oak and poison ivy, and treat a poison oak rash.

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The 2019 Old Farmer's Almanac

Pre-order today for August delivery. Get your Almanac first and a free hole for hanging up in your outhouse! String not included.

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$7.95