Editor Emeritus Peter Geiger shares how to remove deadly nightshade (belladonna) from your property. Plus, edible nightshade plants like tomatoes and potatoes that you may want to avoid eating and why.

Headlines warn of the bird flu (Avian influenza) in wild birds, domestic poultry, and other animals. Wondering what you can do to protect your backyard chickens? Should birders be worried? Here is what we currently know, including essential tips for helping our flocks of feathered friends. Bird Flu: What We Know The Avian influenza is

Quick Reference: 2025 Major Astrology Saturn enters Aries (May 24, 2025): 2.5-year transit, theme of identity and structure. Neptune enters Aries (March 30, 2025): 14-year transit, theme of dream and identity. Pluto in Aquarius (full year): 20-year transit (started Jan 2024) of collective and technological transformation. Eclipse pair: March and September 2025 in Virgo-Pisces. Mercury

Quick Reference: Snow Moon by Year 2026 Snow Moon: Sunday, February 1, 2026, 5:09 p.m. EST (22:09 UTC) 2027 Snow Moon: Friday, January 22, 2027, 6:23 p.m. EST 2028 Snow Moon: Wednesday, February 9, 2028, 10:25 a.m. EST 2029 Snow Moon: Tuesday, January 30, 2029, 1:03 a.m. EST 2030 Snow Moon: Sunday, February 17, 2030,

Quick Reference: Venus Retrograde Frequency: every 18 months, on average. Duration: about 40 days. Astrological themes: relationships, money, beauty, art, values. Traditional advice: avoid starting new romantic relationships, major aesthetic decisions, major financial moves. Recommended: review, revisit, and repair. Next Venus retrograde: see schedule below. Venus retrograde is one of the less frequent but more

Hey parents, do you know when to start potty training? Here are some essential tips to guide you through the process, including some often-overlooked strategies. How to Potty Train 1. When to Start Potty Training 2. The Power of Routine 3. Trust Your Child’s Readiness 4. Positive Reinforcement and Rewards 5. Make it Fun 6.

Baby led weaning (BLW) is an alternative approach to introducing solids to your baby. BLW skips the spoon feeding of baby cereals or purees and goes straight to finger foods that your baby can self-feed. Large chunks of squishy food are placed directly on the table or highchair tray for your baby to grab and

Quick Reference: Sun, Moon, and Rising Signs Sun sign: your core identity. Where the sun was at birth. The ‘I am’ sign. Moon sign: your emotional inner world. Where the moon was at birth. The ‘I feel’ sign. Rising sign (Ascendant): how you come across to others. The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon

Quick Reference: Saturn Return What it is: when Saturn returns to the same zodiac position it occupied at your birth, about every 29.5 years. First Saturn return: ages 27-30. Foundational adult life decisions. Second Saturn return: ages 56-60. Legacy and structure questions. Third Saturn return: ages 85-90. Wisdom and meaning. Themes: structure, responsibility, commitment, restriction,

Birth Month Birds at a Glance January: Owl, thoughtful and wise February: Chickadee, cheerful and social March: Robin, tough and lively April: Duck, sociable and adaptable May: Hummingbird, joyful and agile June: Dove, peaceful and sociable July: Eagle, strong and courageous August: Woodpecker, open-minded and curious September: Hawk, dependable and steady October: Vulture, resourceful and