World Migratory Bird Day Is Saturday: How to Count Birds From Your Own Yard
You don’t need a wildlife refuge, expensive binoculars, or even a particularly impressive backyard to contribute to bird science this…
Read more
Where to See Fall Foliage This Week Across the U.S.
Updated October 7, 2026 The best fall color this week isn’t limited to New England. The Adirondacks are nearing peak,…
Read more
Why Owls Became Creatures of Witches, Omens, and Wisdom
An owl can seem to appear from nowhere. One moment the branch is empty; the next, a pair of bright…
Read moreMost Popular
Long Range Weather Forecast
Get ready for your next adventure. Check our Long Range Weather Forecast and plan accordingly.
Check your areaWeather History Database
Thursday 8th October 2026
At a glance
Best day to
Today is Day 281 of 2026
74 days until winter begins
Gardening
A most barren period, best for killing plant pests or doing chores around the farm. Good harvest days.
Fishing
- Poor – Morning
Moon phase

Waning Crescent (5% of Full)
Check the next 12 months of any calendar
Become a Farmer’s Almanac member and get access to all the Farmer’s Almanac 1818 information.
Cancel any time
Upcoming Dates, Events, and Holidays
The dates worth putting on the calendar, with the full guide behind each one.
-
Next up
: Columbus Day federal holiday; Indigenous Peoples’ Day observances
A growing list of states has quietly re-cast the day.
-
: When Is Canadian Thanksgiving 2026?
Six weeks earlier than the American version.
-
: Orionid Meteor Shower 2026
Halley’s Comet leaves this one in its wake.
-
: Full Hunter’s Moon
Check when it’s the exact full phase
-
: Halloween
The church picked October 31 for a reason. Meet Stingy Jack.
Most Popular
Farmers’ Almanac Gardening, Weather & Seasonal Living Guide
For over two hundred years, the Farmers’ Almanac has been a trusted companion through every season of American life. First published in 1818, it has arrived faithfully, year after year, offering time-tested wisdom on weather, gardening, and living well with nature. Few publications in history can claim that kind of unbroken dedication to their readers — and fewer still have remained as relevant, as loved, and as useful with every passing generation. Check frost dates, gardening calendars, weather forecasts, moon phases, and seasonal advice.
Summer’s Calling Your Garden
Find the best planting days on the Gardening Calendar.
Gardening CalendarGardening
Where to See Fall Foliage This Week Across the U.S.
Updated October 7, 2026 The best fall color this week isn’t limited to New England. The Adirondacks are nearing peak,…
Dig in
How Do Leaves Know When to Change Color? 7 Fun Facts About Fall Foliage
A tree doesn’t check the calendar to know when autumn has arrived. It responds to changes in its surroundings, especially…
Dig in
What to Plant in October: A Region-by-Region Garden Guide
October’s garden depends on where you live. In Minnesota, it may be time to cover the last tomatoes against frost,…
Dig inAstronomy
Draconid Meteor Shower 2026: Watch Right After Dark
Almost every meteor shower asks you to get up at three in the morning. The Draconids do not. They are…
Explore
Saturn at Opposition on October 4: How to See It
Saturn’s rings are made of billions of pieces of ice and rock, from dust-sized grains to chunks as large as…
Explore
Saturn Is at Its Brightest of 2026, With Its Rings Barely Open
Saturn reaches opposition at 8:32 a.m. EDT on Sunday, October 4. Opposition means the Earth passes directly between Saturn and…
ExploreFishing
Fishing Calendar 2026 – Best Days & Times to Fish
Your next fishing trip shouldn’t be based on luck. Check our fishing conditions calendar and plan your fishing trip accordingly.
Check Fishing Conditions CalendarFarmers’ Almanac
What Happened to Red Delicious Apples?
With a name like Red Delicious, you expect a good apple. But bite into one and you may find soft, mealy flesh…
Read more
First Snowfall Where I Live: When Will the First Snow Arrive in 2026?
When will the first snowfall happen where you live? See our U.S. first snow map and typical first snowfall timing from September through winter.
Read more
Monarch Butterfly Migration 2026: When and Where to See One of Nature’s Greatest Journeys
When does the monarch butterfly migration happen? Discover when monarchs migrate in 2026, how far they fly, where they go, and how to see and help them.
Read more