Today's installment of Growing on the High Plains explores the longest-running, continuously-published periodical on our continent. While I remember the petite, butter-yellow booklet regularly crossing the counter at my father's pharmacy, I wanted to share some of the fascinating history of this annual reference volume and what it has meant to those who have historically made a living off the land.
I'm speaking of The Old Farmer's Almanac— and if you wonder how the authors predict the weather for an entire year, you might as well ask the sun, the moon, and the stars. In addition to often-accurate meteorological data, astronomy, and planting charts, it also served as light entertainment, sporting merry content such as folklore, recipes, fashion trends, and puzzles.
In fact, I've got a riddle in today's installment. See below for the answer.
If you want to check in with the prediction the almanac had for this month, visit their website. (That's right! They're still going strong.)
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RIDDLE ANSWER: Sweet corn (corn on the cob)