A Drier Summer Could Change How We Garden

Some summers are tougher on gardens than others—and this year, longer dry stretches are likely in parts of the country. Dry soil, stressed plants, browning lawns, and tougher decisions about what gets watered first may become familiar challenges during periods without steady rain.

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Woman adding mulch to raised-bed vegetable garden during summer

Gardeners are adapting to drier summers with mulch, raised beds, smarter watering, and more resilient planting strategies. Photo: Valeriy_G

Calendar

Today is Day 169 of 2026

3 days until summer begins

Question of the Day

I’ve heard people talking about orange cucumbers that are supposed to be full of vitamins. What are these?
Answer

Upcoming Holidays

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Juneteenth (Emancipation Day)

West Virginia Day

Summer Solstice

Father's Day

Word of the Day

Pluviophobia
What does it mean?

Puzzle of the Day

To love ruin (Rearrange this phrase into a single word meaning violent change or turnover.)

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Gardening

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Weather

Seasonal Outlook

 

summer forecast old farmer's almanac

Your SUMMER 2026 forecast is here
When will it warm up? See what’s ahead.

Long-Range Weather

Long-range weather forecast map of the United States by regionRegion 1 - NortheastRegion 2 - Atlantic CorridorRegion 3 - AppalachiansRegion 4 - SoutheastRegion 5 - FloridaRegion 6 - Lower LakesRegion 7 - Ohio ValleyRegion 8 - Deep SouthRegion 9 - Upper MidwestRegion 10 - HeartlandRegion 11 - Texas-OklahomaRegion 12 - High PlainsRegion 13 - IntermountainRegion 14 - Desert SouthwestRegion 15 - Pacific NorthwestRegion 16 - Pacific SouthwestRegion 17 - AlaskaRegion 18 - Hawaii123456789101112131415161718
  1. Northeast
  2. Atlantic Corridor
  3. Appalachians
  4. Southeast
  5. Florida
  6. Lower Lakes
  7. Ohio Valley
  8. Deep South
  9. Upper Midwest
  10. Heartland
  11. Texas-Oklahoma
  12. High Plains
  13. Intermountain
  14. Desert Southwest
  15. Pacific Northwest
  16. Pacific Southwest
  17. Alaska
  18. Hawaii

Astronomy

Today's Moon Phase

Today's Moon Phase

Today's Moon Phase

17% of Full • 4 days old
View Moon Phase Calendar

Next Full Moon

The Full Strawberry Moon, will occur on Monday, June 29, 2026.

Food

About The Almanac

About the Almanac

The Old Farmer's Almanac cover

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