April 2024
“God bless my bit of garden
And make its flowers grow
That it may give some pleasure
To all the folks I know”
– John Gruber (1768–1857)
Mid-Atlantic Weather Watch: Showers, then turning seasonably warm and dry (1, 2, 3, 4, 5); dry, then very warm with showers and severe thunderstorms (6, 7, 8, 9, 10); dry, then a quick round of gusty showers, falling temperatures and flurries (11, 12, 13, 14, 15); dry, sunny and much colder with a morning hard freeze (16, 17, 18, 19, 20); turning very warm with isolated afternoon showers (21, 22, 23, 24, 25); dry and quite mild, then showers to end the month (26, 26, 28, 29, 30).
Severe Weather Watch: The Town and Country Almanack sees severe thunderstorms in the Mid-Atlantic Region (7, 8) and the possibility of a hard freeze (19, 20).
Full Moon: April’s Full Moon occurs on April 23rd. Many Native American tribes referred to April’s full moon as Pink Moon because of the many pretty flowers that begin to display their bright pink hues as they bloom throughout the month. It also has been called Fish Moon because the fishing starts to improve as the weather warms up
Special Notes: April Fool’s Day falls on Monday, April 1st in 2024 (which also happens to be Easter Monday!). Watch out for practical jokes and pranks that may be coming your way from family, co-workers, and friends! Tax Day is Monday, April 15th. Earth Day is observed on Monday, April 22nd. Check out The Earth Day Network at www.earthday.net offers some interesting, fun, and easy activities that you and your family can do that will help promote a healthier relationship with our fragile Mother Earth! Arbor Day falls on Tuesday, April 30th. Go to www.arborday.org for more on The Arbor Day Foundation’s mission, which focuses on helping others understand and use trees as a solution to the many global issues we face today that include air quality, water quality, a rapidly changing climate, deforestation, poverty, and hunger.
The Garden: A good test of “soil readiness” is to take a handful of soil and squeeze it. If it remains in a ball, it’s too moist and should be allowed to dry further. If it crumbles, start planting! Set out annuals and other perennials now. Cool season vegetables, such as spinach, lettuce. Water new plantings and blooming shrubs (such as azaleas & rhododendron) regularly. Don’t forget to water plants under overhangs. Don’t forget to do an all-points check on the old lawn mower. Sharpen or replace dull, worn blades, install new spark plug, clean or replace the air filter, and change the oil. Fill it up with gas and be sure to check the pull cord (if manual start) for any undue wear. Replace it immediately if frayed.
The Farm: Best days for planting root crops (1, 2); weeding and stirring the soil (12, 13); planting above-ground crops (14, 15); harvesting all crops (26, 27); to set hens and incubators (1, 2, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30); the slaughtering and butchering of meats (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14); transplanting (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 1, 3, 14); harvesting and storing of grain (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7); weaning of animals and livestock (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30).
J. Gruber’s Thought For Today’s Living
Gardens are for all ages: the young for hope of the future, the elderly, for fond memories of the past, and for those in between, the rewards of a good life, now.
March 2024
MID-ATLANTIC WEATHER WATCH: Seasonable at first with a light wintry mix, then turning mild (1,2,3,4,5),becoming very warm with rain, then windy, cooler and more seasonable (6,7,8,9,10); seasonable and dry at first, then milder (11,12,13,14,15); wintry mix, followed by rain and then turning cooler and dry (16,17,18,19,20); rain at first, colder with light snow or flurries, then dry (21,22,23,24,25); turning wet with rain, followed by mild and dry weather (26,27,28,29).
SEVERE WEATHER WATCH: No severe weather events are predicted by The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack for the month of March.
FULL MOON: March’s FULL MOON for 2024 will occur on the 24th. It has been referred to as SAP MOON by many Native Americans because, due to warming temperatures in many regions this time of year, sap would begin to rise and run. It has also been called WORM MOON due to the abundance of earthworms that begin when the earth starts to soften.
SPECIAL NOTES: Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins on Sunday, March 10th in 2024. Don’t forget to ‘spring’ ahead an hour at 2AM EST. DST will end on November 3rd, at 2AM EST, unless the Sunshine Protection Act is signed into law. Passed by the Senate in March, 2022, the act is awaiting the President’s signature after a final review by the House. The Vernal Equinox will occur Monday, March 19th which is considered the first day of Spring! The Almanack suggests that you “Go fly a kite” during this very windy month. Check out some of these classic designs you can make at home at wwww.my-best-kite.com/how-to-build-kites.html.
HOLIDAYS: The first day of Ramadan is Sunday, March 10th, Palm Sunday is Sunday, March 24th, Good Friday is March 29th, and Easter Sunday is Sunday March 31st in 2024. And don’t forget that St. Patrick falls on Sunday, March 17th, so be sure to wear something green and festive!
THE GARDEN: March is prime time for feeding shrubs and perennials that bloom in the Summer. Also, begin pruning early-flowering shrubs, roses, fruit trees, grapes, and raspberries. Start an all-purpose spray regimen. Be sure to feed well and use supplementary nitrogen in early Spring, in addition to yearly feeding. Spray fruit trees with a dormant oil when temperatures exceed 40 degrees and before they leaf out. If you did not do so in February, apply a pre-emergent herbicide (that prevents crabgrass) to established lawns before March 15th. But If you plan to seed fescue lawns, do not apply a pre-emergent. It will prevent the grass seed from germinating. It’s also time to start tomatoes, lettuce, and many other vegetable seeds indoors. And do try to plant your peas on St. Patrick’s Day!
THE FARM: Best days for planting root crops (5,6); weeding and stirring the soil (15,16); planting above-ground crops (17,18,19); harvesting all crops (3,4,30,31); setting hens and incubators (1,2,3,17,8,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31); slaughtering/butchering meat (10,11,12,13,14,15); transplanting (10,11,12,13,14,15); harvesting and storing grain (3,4,5,6,7,8,9); the weaning of all small animals and livestock (3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,30,31).
J. GRUBER’S THOUGHT FOR TODAY’S LIVING
“Great things are not accomplished by idle dreams, but by many years of patient study”
February 2024
“You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time”…..Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
Mid-Atlantic Weather Watch: Seasonable at first with a light wintry mix, then turning mild (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) becoming very warm with rain, then windy, cooler, and more seasonable (6, 7, 8, 9, 10); seasonable and dry at first, then milder (11, 12, 13, 14, 15); a wintry mix, followed by rain and then turning cooler and dry (16, 17, 18, 19, 20); rain at first, colder with light snow or flurries, then dry (21, 22, 23, 24, 25); turning wet with rain, followed by mild and dry weather (26, 27, 28, 29).
Full Moon: February’s Full Moon will occur on February 24th in 2024. It was called snow Moon, where the snow was deepest, while many other tribes called it Wolf Moon because of all of the howling heard during the month, which just happens to be the middle of their breeding season! And because there is such an extreme scarcity of game to hunt everywhere during this month, it was also aptly referred to as Hunger Moon.
Special Notes: “Punxsutawney Phil” makes his annual and much-anticipated appearance on Friday, February 2nd when he issues his ‘prediction’ of the coming of Spring! If it is a sunny day and this little marmota monax sees his shadow, he will retreat post haste underground, to remain there for another 6 weeks of Winter! If it is cloudy and he doesn’t get scared by his own shadow, Spring will come early in 2024.
The Christian Festival of Lights, or Candlemas, is celebrated on the 2nd as well. As part of a long tradition, many churches would display many more candles on this day during their daily services. Not only did it make the service a special one, but it was also believed that the additional light would provide protection from illness and plague in the coming year. Shrove Tuesday (or Fat Tuesday, the start of Mardi Gras) is February 13th and Ash Wednesday is February 14th, marking the beginning of Lent.
Holidays: Valentine’s Day, February 14th, falls on Tuesday in 2024. Show that special someone just how special they are and how much you appreciate them. The birthdays of Presidents Abraham Lincoln (Monday, February 12th) and George Washington (Thursday, the 22nd) are collectively celebrated on President’s Day, which falls on Monday, February 19th, providing us with an extended holiday weekend. Enjoy!
The Garden: It’s a good time to stroll around and trim back any branches that were damaged by the ravages of Winter. If you haven’t yet applied your dormant spray to your fruit trees, Do it now! Stored summer flowering bulbs may try to start into growth if they are subjected to heat. They should be kept very dry, and stored at 45E F. If they are shriveling, put them into slightly damp peat moss, but keep them cool!
The Farm: Best for planting root crops (1, 7, 8); Best for weeding and stirring the soil (17, 18); Best for planting above-ground crops (11, 12) Best for harvesting all crops (4, 5, 6); Best days to set hens and incubators (1, 2, 3, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29); slaughter and butcher meat (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15); transplant (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15); harvest and store grains (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8); wean animals (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12).
J. Gruber’s Thought For Today’s Living
“You only reap what you sow, so be sure to spread more kindness and consideration for your fellow man than envy or ill will”
January 2024
“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”….Benjamin Franklin (1705—1790)
MID-ATLANTIC WEATHER WATCH: Dry and mild, then rain showers (snow showers west) and seasonably colder (1,2,3,4,5); rain, turning to wet snow, brisk and colder (6,7,8,9,10);
11-15: turning warm with rain (11,12,13,14,15); warm and dry at first, then turning colder with a rain/snow mix (16,17,18,19,20); turning mild with rain showers, then dry and becoming seasonably cold (21,22,23,24,25); light wintry mix, heaviest north and west followed by blustery snow showers west then turning milder (26,27,28,29,30,31).
SEVERE WEATHER WATCH: The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack warns of heavy snow, wind (4,5,6,7); wintry mix, then heavy snow, wind (26,27).
FULL MOON: The first FULL MOON of 2024 will occur on Thursday, January 25th. It has been It has often been referred to as WOLF MOON because of the increased presence of wolf packs that boldly wander close to tribal villages and encampments searching for food. And because of this extreme difficulty finding food at this time, it has also been called HUNGER MOON.
SPECIAL NOTES: The 2024 Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack is its 228th edition! It has been continuously published since it first appeared in 1797 and while it is the second oldest almanac in the United States, it is the ONLY almanac in America that is still published by heirs of its founder, John Gruber. Both he and his partner and son-in-law, Daniel May, would be proud to see their almanac continuing to provide even more reliable weather forecasts and astronomical data vital to agricultural success in the region. It is our continued commitment to improving our look, the accuracy of our weather forecasts, and providing useful information and inspiration to help one survive in the 21st Century! Go to www.almanack.com/order and purchase a printed copy, the new, online digital version in flipbook format, the 3-year subscription guaranteeing no price increase for 3 years, or sign up as a Friend of The Almanack, receive a printed copy of the latest edition, access to the latest digital version (and for the following year, as well!), the monthly newsletter and so much more! A great deal for a great almanac!
HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day falls on Monday, January 1st and Epiphany follows on Saturday, January 6th. Martin Luther King, Jr., famed civil rights activist leader, was born on January 15, 1929. His birthday is celebrated on the third Monday of the month. In 2024, that is Monday, January 16th, his actual date of birth! MLK will be forever remembered for paying the ultimate sacrifice pursuing unity and racial harmony which still eludes us today.
THE GARDEN: Mulch landscape beds for winter if you haven’t already (and if the weather allows). Mulching prevents erosion, protects against soil freezes and thaws, and helps retain moisture – all particularly beneficial over a dry winter. Our feathered friends need a reliable supply of water and food during winter but be prepared to continue providing ample amounts of both until natural water and food becomes available later in the Spring.
THE FARM: Best for planting root crops (3,4,5); weeding and stirring the soil (1,2,21,22); planting above-ground crops (14,15); harvesting all crops (8,9); the best days for setting hens and incubators (1,,2,3,4,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31); the slaughtering and butchering of meat(11,12,13,14,15,16); transplanting (11,12,13,14,15,16)); the weaning of all small animals and livestock (8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15); harvesting and storing grains (3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10).
J. GRUBER’S THOUGHT FOR TODAY’S LIVING
“Resolutions are only as good as the intent to keep them”