Hagerstown Almanack Newsletter

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 Hagerstown 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 23^rd. 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 1^st 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 15^th. Always remember that if you need more time to file, request an extension using the form found at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf. Earth Day is observed on Monday, April 22^nd. Check out The Earth Day Network, at (202)518-0044, and 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 30^th. 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.

HOLIDAYS: Easter Monday falls on Monday, April 1^st in 2024.

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).

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.