Nothing can be more traditional than waiting each year for “The Old Farmer’s Almanac” to be released. The periodical predicts the coming year’s weather and planting guides as well as food, home and health. The original predictions were made by tracking astronomical events, which were uncommonly accurate for its time. Now, however, more modern methods are used like satellites and radar tracking.
The Almanac was started in 1792 with the first editor being Robert B. Thomas. At the time, George Washington was serving his first term as President of the United States. Thomas became instantly successful in his predictions. He calculated his predictions in a way that is still under lock and key in a black tin box in Dublin, New Hampshire. Check out this humorous YouTube video explaining the black tin box: https://youtu.be/cVFRFfiSuOY And for those who are wondering, at that time, the Almanac ran about nine cents per copy.
“Thomas’s last edition, in 1846, was not much different from his first, over 50 years earlier. However, in that time he established 'The Old Farmer’s Almanac' as America’s leading periodical by outselling and outlasting the competition. He died in 1846 at the age of 80, supposedly reading page proofs for the 1847 edition,” according to the almanac.com website.
The Old Farmer's Almanac’s predictions for the 2021-22 Saskatchewan winter says, “Slightly above-average temperatures throughout the season in all but the northernmost portions of the Prairies. Winter storm clouds may sometimes bring rain or freezing rain across the nation’s midsection. However, this doesn’t mean that snow is completely out of the forecast: Major snowstorms for the Prairies in late November, mid-January, and early March.”
“This coming winter won’t be remarkable in terms of temperature, but for our Canadian friends who just want to dry out, it will be a long season indeed,” says Janice Stillman, editor of The Old Farmer’s Almanac Canadian Edition.
The 2022 Old Farmer’s Almanac is the 230th consecutive yearly edition. Published every year since 1982, the unique Canadian Edition is now celebrating its 40th year. The Old Farmer’s Almanac editors produce a series of related titles, including The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids, The 2022 Garden Guide, the Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook, the monthly digital magazine EXTRA! and a collection of wall and desk calendars.
