Full Moon: January’s Full Moon will occur on the 26th. Originally, Native Americans called it Hunger Moon because of the scarcity of food everywhere at this time. . It has also been referred to as Wolf Moon because of the increased presence of wolf packs around villages and camps who boldly wandered closer in search of food.

The Garden: Keep your seasonal plants out of the reach of small children. Poinsettia, holly and mistletoe berries aren't poisonous, but can cause stomach irritation when ingested. One common plant that is VERY TOXIC is the Jerusalem cherry. Both the fruit and leaves are extremely toxic and should be kept well out of the reach of young hands. When cutting evergreen foliage from the garden for Christmas decor, cut just above a bud. This ensures that no spurs will be left to encourage decay. Watch out for heavy snow accumulation that can damage shrubs, bushes and small trees. Be careful where you pile snow removed from sidewalks and driveways. Plant shallots on the shortest day of the year (December 21st) and harvest on the longest (June 21st). Shallots can also be planted in late winter, just before Spring. Pay special attention to houseplants now. They will require additional watering due to hotter and drier indoor temperatures. Also, remember to rotate them occasionally so they get equal light on all sides.