An Almanac to Agriculture
How rainy will spring be? How do you regrow garlic from bulbs? And what exactly is a perennial? Whatever weather and plant-care questions you may have, turn to a resource that has been trusted for centuries: The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Carol Connare, the publication’s editor in chief, digs into its history and how it has stayed fresh to this day.
Tell us about the publication’s background:
The word “almanac” actually means calendar, and that’s exactly what The Old Farmer’s Almanac is. It was first published in 1792, a time when just about everyone was growing their own food. Before us, there were other almanacs—including one of the earliest and most famous, Poor Richard’s Almanack by Benjamin Franklin—that published information about astronomy, farming, and important dates. However, they were each locale specific, limiting their scope.
Our founder, Robert B. Thomas, thought he could do a better job with nationwide weather forecasting and create an almanac that was useful to a wider audience by providing more reliable information. As an astronomer, he was an early adopter of sun science, which entails studying solar magnetic storms and how they affect weather patterns on earth—a practice we still use today. His mission was to create an almanac that was informative with a pleasant degree of humor as well. I think that blend is what made the original Farmer’s Almanac (the “Old” wasn’t added until 1832) a winner. And his mission endures over 230 years later.
What sort of information does The Old Farmer’s Almanac share?
We’ve always made it our mission to share the best information at hand, including long-range weather forecasts for every day of the year, accurate and geographically specific sunrise and moonrise times, and best dates for planting food, flower, and fruit crops. We also offer reference guides on topics like rotating crops, innovations in livestock care, trending houseplants, and natural household solutions. One of the most popular, which we continually update, is for planting by the moon’s phases. Just as the moon influences the tides, it also impacts water we can’t see, specifically moisture in soil. And since water is so vital to growing any crop, you can imagine why farmers would want to understand these subtle shifts.
Who researches and compiles your data?
Primarily, we employ a staff of six editors who research, write, and fact-check. They painstakingly review every page multiple times before we publish because trustworthiness is our backbone. We also have many expert contributors from all over North America, including astronomers Bob Berman and Bethany Cobb. Among other writing, Berman creates our Sky Watch, which is a layman’s guide to what to see in the night sky each month.
On top of that, we have our own team of meteorologists at AccuWeather. We’ve been working with our partners there for almost four decades, creating a unique formula for long-range forecasting that includes meteorology, climatology, and the aforementioned study of the sun’s magnetic storms.
Do you feel that the purpose of this publication has changed as society has?
We certainly publish more products than we used to. Each year, we circulate numerous editions of The Old Farmer’s Almanac in formats ranging from hardcover to large print, create several digital issues, post to social media, and make information freely available on our website—all of which offer unique details. We have lots of interaction with our audience online, putting us very much in touch with their interests. On almanac.com, for instance, I and the other editors answer questions every day from the public. We also respond to reader mail and phone calls and hold reader essay and recipe contests, giving us many opportunities to learn what they like and don’t like.
What would you say to people who think they can just google planting and weather information?
I think technology like AI in search engines has created more competition for us in digital spaces, especially since it is using our and others’ authoritative information to give an aggregated set of “facts” while only secondarily supplying the sources. Even still, we have exclusive features and tools you can’t find anywhere else, all in an entertaining, educational, and simple format. Sure, you can pull up a weather app to read about tomorrow’s temperatures, but we are projecting a year or more ahead using data from hundreds of years of climate patterns. Planning your family reunion six months from now? We can tell you if it’s going to rain or shine on that date with 80 percent average accuracy.
Further, we compile complete planting guides that are convenient to access in one place rather than looking up plant varieties individually. Most importantly, our facts are well researched and verified, so you know they’re reliable. Plus, we cater content to different readers in different formats. Google might give you our trusted almanac.com answer to a quick question such as “How can I stop killing my spider plant?” But in print, you’ll also get wit, wisdom, growing advice, history, and much more, information our readers tell us they highly value.
Are any additional changes on the horizon?
We’re mainly strategizing how to reach more people, including a younger demographic and those who are new to growing. There are certain staple topics consistently featured in our publication, such as beginner gardening and folklore, that are surging among younger readers. But we’re also creating new content to align with gardening trends, like small-space growing on patios and windowsills. Our team is always looking to find out what’s new and useful!
Is there anything else you’d like to share about the almanac?
If you are just starting out in your journey to connect with the natural world, we provide many pathways to help, from guides on the planets’ orbits to info on understanding pollinators. Or if you’re an old pro like me, our general advice comes in handy when you might need a refresher. Anyone can find knowledge in The Old Farmer’s Almanac—whether you’re a beginner or seasoned grower, stargazer, nature lover, or weather watcher—alongside stories that will make you laugh and think more deeply about the world around you.
For more info, visit almanac.com