Customer Reviews

The Old Farmer's Almanac 2009

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The Old Farmer's Almanac goes back a long way! On page 206, the 2009 version notes that the weather forecasts go back to a "secret formula" devised by the Almanac's founder, Robert Thomas, in 1792. Now, that's a legacy! I've always found this volume a lot of fun. In fact, it has become an institutionalized Christmas gift to my son each year (he seems to enjoy it, too), so don't spoil the "surprise" by letting him know that I've purchased the 2009 edition!

First, the weather. On page 206, the methodology of predicting weather is discussed (vague). The Almanac's founder, Thomas, thought that sunspots were the key. Now, that metric plus others (more scientific) are the basis for predictions. So, what to expect? I live in central Pennsylvania. According to the Almanac, I (and others living in a corridor from Elmira, NY to Asheville (NC) can expect: a mild November, a cold and snowy December through March. The heaviest snow would be in January, with some snow at about Thanksgiving and frequent snowfall in December and the middle part of February. Mark that on your calendars and see if the old Almanac is right!

Second, there are many other features, such as estimates of frost and the growing season, cataloging the tides, and so on.

Another fun version of this "golden oldie"!

Wow, I'm glad I checked the "look inside"! Nothing but junk and ads. Sad to see it's come to this. I won't bother with it.

I am starting a small garden and wanted to use the Old Farmer's Almanac as my guide as to when to plant the vegetables I have chosen for my garden. My Dad was a big gardner, he could grow anything. He always bought a new Farmer's Almanac every year. I had been to several book stores and gardening centers but could not find this book. This is the reason I went to Amazon.com, they have always had what I'm looking for.

I have bought the Old Farmers Almanac for over 20 years and always have fun with the information and the almost always on track weather predictions. I at least know what to expect. Our local weatherman said they aren't accurate but I disagree. They follow all the natural ways that people have predicted weather for years and are usually really close. They always have interesting articles too.

The Farmers Almanac is one of my favorite books to read. I don't read the whole book at once, but parcel it out over the year. I make family calendars for Christmas presents, and each year I use the quotes for each month as written in Almanac. My son looks forward to receiving the Farmers Almanac every one year for his birthday.
Thank you.

Although there is some good information regarding gardening and weather and other things, the book is inundated with advertisements. I would not have minded if there was a section of ads in the front or back, but they seem dispersed on almost every other page throughout it. It is disappointing that the Farmer's Almanac has such a high cover price when it is filled mostly with ads.

As always, it's an accurate forecast of what kind of winter to expect. The articles in it are interesting and informative and I enjoy reading it.

If you want to waste money for slick advertisements and unuseable information this is the book for you. Made the mistake of buying one, flipping through, asking, "what happened to the "old" information they used to pack into the book?", and proceeding to return it for a refund.

I started buying Old Farmer's Almanac in 2000. I found the 2009 edition here, as I missed getting it that year. The weather predictions and gardening advice is always very accurate-how do they do it?-and the other articles are very fun and informative. If you are a homesteader, or just have a garden, this is a valuable yearly publication.

This was a gift for my mom, who requested it. She's happy, so I'm happy.