OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC 2022

It’s that time of the year again! Come autumn we eagerly wait for the release of the Old Farmer’s Almanac to see what the up-coming year’s weather forecast might look like. The Almanac’s weather predictions are made up to 18 months in advance, but are traditionally 80 percent accurate nevertheless.

This year, Old Farmer’s Almanac comes with a winter warning: Brrr! “Prepare for a Season of Shivers. This winter will be inundated by positively bone-chilling, below-average temperatures across most of the United States.” says Janice Stillman, the editor.

For 230 years, the Almanac has apparently been helping readers get ready for winter’s worst. However, in addition to its weather forecasts, the Almanac is also known for being informative, with a delightful degree of humor. Features include recipes that make the most of the season, along with award-winning dishes and desserts that use five or fewer ingredients. The art and science of animal tracking, plus how to read Mother Nature’s signs to choose a fishing spot. As well as, reports from small farmers (like ours – Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers), including how they fared during 2020 and continue to diversify for the future.

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There are also monthly calendars strewed with humor and wisdom, astronomical timetables, planting guides, and tads of valuable advice that continue The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s long-standing traditions.

The Nature of Giving

The holiday season is in full swing and when it comes to gift giving, flowers are always a perfect choice. Flowers perfectly convey our emotions. It is not surprising that flowers are always present in the most important milestones of our lives. Sharing and giving flowers as a gift is a powerful act of communication with those we love, and with everyone around us.

Flowers allow you to express your unique style while delivering the freshness and beauty of nature at the same time. Your family and friends may love traditional holiday decor, but nothing quite compares to a gorgeous bouquet or arrangement. When you give fresh flowers and foliage that reflect your personal taste, it makes for an unforgettable holiday gift your friends and family will cherish.

Nature is truly the best source of joy and wonder over the holidays. Here are a few floral gift ideas that will surely bring cheer and joy to anyone!

Lovers of nature (specially proteas), it's your time to glow!

Horn of Plenty

It's time for another glimpse at our favorite symbol of abundance and nourishment… the Cornucopia or also called horn of plenty. It was traditionally made of a goat's horn overflowing with fruits and grains of the harvest.

At what time the cornucopia made its way into our country's consciousness as a Thanksgiving holiday icon is difficult to say. But with its meaning of abundance, prosperity and good fortune, the horn of plenty embodies all those things and is a symbol of Americans’ thoughts of thankfulness.

Cornucopias have become customary fall centerpieces and usually feature a horn-like basket or container. There are no rules when it comes to designing cornucopias. But we're partial to organic, fall-vibes and a horn of plenty that's brimming with fresh flowers (protea preferred), fabulous foliage and fruit. Plus, arranging them to flow out of the horn and onto your table, delivers a look that's as graceful and natural as it is beautiful.

Fall Vibes: Protea Repens – Sugarbush

Protea repens, Sugarbush or Suikerbossie. It’s October and these beautiful blooms are starting to make their debut. The word Repens means "creeping" but there is nothing creeping about this protea, the majority of flowers have long stems and some even display multiple blooms. The open, funnel-shaped flowers range in colors from red to white + even two-tones with some that flare open in a very spectacular fashion. Amazingly, the process from a tight bud to an open flower takes six to eight weeks and the seed develops over the next seven months.

Repens could be considered the first protea. In 1774, it was cultivated under glass in the Royal Collection at Kew Gardens where, in 1780, it became the first protea ever to bloom in cultivation away from the Cape. Sugarbush was also considered South Africa's National Flower until 1976 when it was replaced by the Protea King.

The name Sugarbush comes from the abundance of nectar that these alluring flowers produce. In fact, in the 19th century, settlers in South Africa’s Cape Province collected the nectar to use medicinally (called bossiestroop) to cure coughs and chest complaints.

No need for a medicinal remedy? How about a mood booster? Sugarbush provides the perfect pick-me-up and will set the scene for special fall gatherings.

Simply Gourd-geous Designs

There’s a bounty of pumpkins being harvested this time of year, so why not use them as inspiration for your autumn designs? Plus, there are so many types of pumpkins—why stick to the basic orange pumpkin associated with Halloween? White ones, green ones, speckled ones, tall ones and squat ones... hundreds of pumpkin varieties exist making them ideal containers.

Pair them with an array of gorgeous blooms (like proteas), fruited branches and other interesting foliage + botanicals to make a festive arrangement. A beautifully fashioned pumpkin creates a charming way to greet visitors and delivers a festive yet elegant take on fall decorating. They’re simply gourd-geous!

Here is what you need to make your own:

• Fresh pumpkin 
• Knife 
• Clear plastic sheet or container 
• Chicken wire or Floral foam (optional) 
• Flowers, foliage, berries, cones, fruit 
• Clippers 
• Spray paint (optional)

Make it!

Carve your pumpkin so that you have a wide opening near the center of the pumpkin. Scoop out the seeds and pulp. Line the inside of the pumpkin with a sheet of plastic or container. If desired, cut a piece of floral foam with the knife to fit inside the pumpkin. Choose flowers and foliage with strong straight stems (proteas are perfect)! Insert the chicken wire or pre-soaked floral foam into the pumpkin and create your arrangement. Start with foliage, then add flowers, fruit, and other embellishments to create a full and interesting centerpiece.

Autumn Bliss

When it comes to the changing of the seasons, there's nothing more stirring than when summer dwindles into fall. We transition into the cooler autumn weather with soothing colors and riveting textures. These warmer hues often play up the excitement of the season; plus, falling temps means we all have an excuse to bring ‘more’ of nature indoors. Fall is a time for all of these things, and for harvesting protea (especially Pink Ice), making it the ideal time to let the autumn vibes begin with festive floral designs.

Turning an ordinary arrangement into a ‘seasonal gathering’ is as easy as focusing on the accents you're bringing into it. Are you adding colors into your design that creates a warm and inviting aura? Concentrate, on the elements needed to achieve the look from protea, banksia and grevillea, to Leucadendron and other fabulous fall foliage. How can you add an extra texture to the centerpiece?

In this season of abundance, there’s so many wonderful options. You’ll also want to be sure to make full use of those richly colored fruit that flourish during this transition from autumn into winter. Persimmons, pomegranates, apples or any other produce can be added to the arrangement or simply displayed off to the side to deliver more of an autumnal ambiance + while bringing even more nature inside to enjoy.

'Tis the Season: Protea Pink Ice

There is something about autumn that seems to always set things into motion. And… if fall was a protea, Pink Ice would be that protea. They are autumn to a 'T' and simply stunning! The goblet shaped bloom is surrounded by fuzzy silvery-pink bracts that overlap and a beautiful rose-colored central dome with a splash of wine at the tip.

Protea Pink Ice, Neriifolia x Susannae, is one of the hardiest and most abundant plants here on the farm! And… the blooms? They’re fabulous no matter how you arrange them. I love mixing them with a variety of other flowers like roses, dahlias, zinnias, etc. or simply arranged all on their own. Here are few design ideas that will hopefully stir your creativity and get you 'falling' for Pink Ice!