Key gardening tasks in January include ordering seeds, testing soil, pruning fruit trees/roses, and starting slow-growing crops like onions and peppers indoors. Also, indoors you can start petunias, begonias, and impatiens. Early, cold-hardy crops such as peas, kale, and lettuce can be started inside or in cold frames. 

When resting or sleeping on the water, sea otters hold paws with each other to prevent drifting away from their group. 

Over 50 tons of trash are left in Times Square after New Year’s Eve celebrations including 3,000 lbs. of confetti.

In the Philippines, it's common to wear polka dots on New Year's Eve to symbolize wealth and prosperity. 

Waterford comes up with a new ball pattern every year for the New York City ball drop. The sphere is made up of 2,688 crystal triangles and has over 32,000 lights. It also displays over 16 million color patterns.

Farmer’s Almanac predict that winter 2025-2026 will be a “wild ride” with dramatic swings, wintry weather, and a cycle of “chill, snow, repeat.” 

When planning your garden it is recommended that at least 70% of your garden should be native plants to support local wildlife like birds and pollinators. The remaining 30% can be non-native, non-invasive plants.

Evenly water plants with tepid water. Uneven watering can lead to oedema, and watering with cold water can shock the plant. 

Geese, and many other migrating birds, fly in a V to conserve energy. This decreases the wind resistance, meaning they can fly for much longer before stopping to rest.
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Both rain and snow contain nitrogen that plants need. Nitrogen attaches to snowflakes as the snow falls through the atmosphere. In addition, nutrients are slowly released into the soil as the snow melts. This is especially effective early in the spring when the ground is thawed, allowing nature to provide a gentle fertilizer boost to plants.

On December 17, 1903 the Wright Brothers made the first successful flight with their powered aircraft. They flew over the dunes of Kitty Hawk in North Carolina for 12 seconds.

Christmas tinsel was once top-tier luxury. In 17th-century Germany artisans hammered thin strands of pure silver to drape across Christmas trees. 

Since 1947, the Norwegians have sent a towering spruce to England as thanks for Britain’s support during World War II. It’s decorated in traditional Norwegian style with vertical strings of lights. 

Candy canes are believed to have started in Germany in the 1600s, when a choirmaster gave sugar sticks bent into shepherd’s crooks to keep children quiet during long Christmas services.

When storms encase trees and shrubs in ice, do not go out and shake branches. You may harm plants. Wait for the ice to melt and check on plants again. Branches should return to normal position once the ice is gone. If any branches break under the icy weight, prune only what’s necessary to prevent further damage.

Reindeer can see ultraviolet light, which helps them spot predators and food in the snowy Arctic. They also have red noses when it’s cold—their noses are filled with blood vessels that help regulate temperature.

Every snowflake has 6 sides. This is due to ice having a natural 6-sided crystal structure.

Thomas Edison and his friend Edward Johnson invented Christmas lights.

Eggnog has been around since the 13th century! Monks enjoyed this festive drink in medieval times.

Protect your poinsettias from cold draughts and allow them to dry out slightly between waterings to make them last well into January.