New moon: Aug. 1, Aug. 30
Full moon: Aug. 16
The stars: Lyra (the harp), Sagittarius (the archer), and Telescopium (the telescope) can be seen in the northern sky.
Gem stone: Peridot
Flower: Gladiolus
Astrological sign: Leo, July 23 to Aug. 22; Virgo, Aug. 23 to Sept. 22..
Harvard history snippet:
In the late 1780s Colonel Henry Bromfield became convinced that there was silver in Oak Hill, and along with several other people, organized a mining operation there. The dig, which went on for four or five years, produced only a small amount of silver, but left a large hole.
What to do in the garden:
Sow cool-weather crops, such as lettuce, spinach, and beets. Use row covers to extend the growing season as long as possible.
Household tips:
- To get rid of fruit flies in the house, fill a small dish with ½ inch of cider or wine vinegar and two drops of dishwashing liquid. Flies will be drawn to the liquid, and killed by the detergent.
- Sprigs of tansy or rosemary placed along the back side of countertops will help deter ants.
Going green:
- Purchase mismatched dishes and tableware at a local thrift store and use them at cookouts to replace disposables.
- Fill up empty space in your freezer with water-filled plastic jugs to help it run more efficiently.
- To reduce your use of packaging, avoid purchasing convenience foods. Instead, plan one weekend a month to make your own in bulk.
Thought for the month:
“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616), English playwright and poet
Do you have an almanac tidbit you’d like to share? E-mail to editor@harvardpress.com
