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What does Mother Nature Have in Store for this Winter?

Back to 2008 Press Releases

Read Your Farmers' Almanac and Cut Open a Persimmon Seed

For Immediate Release – September 3rd, 2008

Media Contact:                                  
Cynthia Greenwood
GreenMark Public Relations                       
847-404-8404
cgreenwood@greenmarkpr.com

 
SAVANNAH, Ga. (Sept. 3, 2008) - Who do you turn to for your winter weather forecast -  Farmers' Almanac, the National Weather Service or perhaps a persimmon?

Some folks believe seeds from this North American wild fruit can help predict the severity of an oncoming winter.

According to folklore, cut persimmon seeds in half with a sharp knife and look inside. Farmers' Almanac readers from Illinois, Arkansas and Colorado report seeing spoon shapes in their persimmon seeds, indicating they'll be shoveling snow all winter. A knife may predict a cold, icy winter with cutting winds, while a fork indicates weather so warm you'll be making hay all winter.

Farmers' Almanac released its 2009 edition last week, predicting below-average temperatures for at least two-thirds of the country. In conjunction with its release, AOL News Poll asked visitors to vote on who they trusted most for their winter weather forecasts - Farmers' Almanac or the National Weather Service. Farmers' Almanac garnered 53 percent of the 238,000 votes cast.

Farmers' Almanac fans say its famous long-range forecast is accurate between 80 and 85 percent of the time. Predictions are based on a mathematical and astronomical formula that dates back to 1818. Each new edition of the Farmers' Almanac contains 16 months of weather forecasts for the contiguous United States. For a video and more information on persimmon folklore, visit http://www.farmersalmanac.com/featured-topics/persimmon.html.

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Editors, please note: A high-res image is available by contacting Cynthia Greenwood, cgreenwood@greenmarkpr.com or 847-404-8404.

About the Farmers' Almanac:
The Farmers' Almanac, which features an orange and green cover, has been published every year since 1818. Available at grocery and bookstores nationwide, it contains useful and interesting articles, as well as long-range weather predictions, gardening advice, recipes and more. Editors Peter Geiger and Sandi Duncan are available for lively and informative interviews, either by phone or in person. Both love to talk about the weather, share useful Almanac trivia and advice, and offer tips on how to "get back to the simple life." Visit on the Web at www.FarmersAlmanac.com.