​The hottest temperature ever recorded in the United States was in Greenland Ranch, California. The thermometer soared to 134°F on July 10, 1913. It was hot enough to fry an egg on a rock in a matter of seconds! 

Deadhead flowers to encourage continued bloom.

On July 16th,1969 the crew of the Apollo 11 launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Four days later, on July 20th, 1969, Neil Armstrong was the first human to set foot on the moon. The moon landing will forever be known as one of America’s greatest scientific achievements.

The Battle of Gettysburg, one of the most significant battles of the American Civil War, occurred from July 1st to 3rd in 1863.

Check plants for watering during the hot, dry summer month of July by sticking your finger at least six inches deep in the soil to check the moisture. The ideal consistency is like a wrung-out sponge. Some gardeners may need to water every day in the heat of July. Others can water every two to three days depending on conditions. It’s best to water in early morning or evening. Water at the base of plants to avoid wetting the leaves.

Summer heat spoils hummingbird nectar quickly. Clean and refill feeders regularly, maybe as often as every two to three days. If the solution is cloudy, it needs to be replaced. A simple recipe for hummingbird nectar is four parts water to one part sugar, or 1 cup water to 1/4 cup sugar.

Amazing Indiana inventions include rear-view mirrors, breathalyzers, Wonder Bread and sliced bacon.

Mosquitoes hate even a slight breeze. So, for outdoor living spaces like a porch or patio, install a small, quiet, outdoor fan (especially made for gardens) to keep air moving.

Most of Indiana’s rivers flow south and west.
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Americans spend $2.8 billion on fireworks each year.

June has both the longest and the shortest days of the year, depending on where you’re standing! If you live in the northern hemisphere, the June 21 is the longest day of the year. If you live in the southern hemisphere, then the 21st is the shortest day of the year.

Alternate mowing directions each time you mow to help keep grass growing upright and to prevent soil compaction. Mow at a 45- or 90-degree angle to your last pattern.

During a summer drought, let the grass grow longer between mowings, and reduce fertilizer use.

To lower the risk of overuse of a muscle group when gardening, don’t spend more than 30 minutes on any single task.
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June was called sera monath by the Anglo-Saxons, which translated into “dry month”.

A single tumbleweed can carry as many as a quarter million fertile seeds, ready to be implanted. That is why a large part of the American west is facing an avalanche of hard and spiky bouncing beach-balls of the noxious, unpleasant weed.

Known for their vibrant colors, fragrant flowers and winter hardiness, peonies have been grown in China, Siberia, and Japan for more than 2,500 years. They were first brought to Europe and then the United States around 1800.

When lightning is in the area and you are indoors, stay away from showers, sinks, bathtubs, plumbing pipes, electrical equipment such as radios, corded telephones, and computers.

Carry a small bottle of baby powder with you to the beach this summer. It’ll help everyone get sand-free before they climb back into the car.

Keep the messy spills and drips from ice cream or popsicles contained by threading a cupcake liner or plastic lid onto the stick.

It’s almost time for the “greatest spectacle in racing”, the Indianapolis 500. During 110 years of this amazing annual event, many things have changed, many traditions have stayed the same but the race itself is always entertaining.  Here are a few fun facts to share with your racing buddies.

• The first Indy 500 took place in 1911 but actually the track’s first event was on June 5, 1909. The track served as a launch pad for a balloon race. The event drew 40,000 spectators, with the winner landing 382 miles away in Alabama.
• The Indianapolis Motor Speedway spans 253 acres. IMS could contain Churchill Downs, Yankee Stadium, the Rose Bowl, the Roman Colosseum, Vatican City, the White House, the Taj Mahal and Liberty Island with an acre to spare.
• The track was once paved with 3.2 million bricks, giving it the name “The Brickyard”. Today, a 36-inch wide strip of bricks cuts across the front stretch of the 2.5-mile oval.
• The tradition of "kissing the bricks" was started by NASCAR champion Dale Jarrett after his Brickyard 400 victory in 1996.
• Originally Gasoline Alley referred only to the one corner where the fuel depot was located.
• The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the highest-capacity sports venue in the world with seating up to 250,000 fans. It also means that it is one of the hardest sports facilities to exit taking up to 3 hours to leave once the race is over.
• The first race was won by Ray Harroun who was also known as the first person to use a rear-view mirror on a motor vehicle. His take home pay was $14,250. He also started the tradition of drinking a pint of milk in the winner’s circle. His preferred drink was buttermilk.
• In 1977, Janet Guthrie became the first female driver to qualify for and compete in the Indy 500. That same year, she also became the first woman to compete in NASCAR's Daytona 500.
• The Borg-Warner Trophy was first awarded in 1935 when it was valued at $10,000. Today, that same trophy is worth more than $1,000,000. 
• 8 miles of hot dogs and bratwursts are consumed by racing spectators. That means up to 475 gallons of ketchup are also consumed. To drink, how about 16,000 gallons of Coca-Cola products and more than 14,000 gallons of Miller Lite and other beer products.

Quietly hang a homemade basket filled with flowers and candy on your neighbor’s doorknob. Ring the bell. Run like crazy before anyone sees you—otherwise, you might get a kiss!

This playful custom was part of “May Basket Day” in our Iowa hometown, when we were growing up.  We enjoyed creating our own baskets and choosing which neighbors would receive daffodils or pansies along with a sweet treat, always giving a special basket to a favorite friend.

May 1st originally represented the arrival of spring and new beginnings. The holiday draws from various ancient celebrations, including Beltane, a Celtic festival honoring fertility and life’s return. Beltane marked the year’s division between winter’s darkness and summer’s light, often featuring bonfires and lively, outdoor festivities.

Dancing around the Maypole is another popular May Day activity, originating in medieval times. Boys and girls would weave ribbons or streamers around a tall pole, eventually covering it entirely. Legend said you might meet your future spouse during the dance, leading to a June wedding.

The crowning of the May Queen—a symbol of nature, purity, and growth—is another medieval tradition. While May Day isn’t specifically religious, Catholics celebrate the season with “May processions,” where children place flowers at the feet of a Virgin Mary statue.

In the United States, May Day gained new meaning in the 19th century when it became International Workers’ Day, part of the labor movement for better working conditions and fair hours. Today, 66 countries, including Cuba, Kenya, China, Mexico, and North Korea, mark May Day as a day to honor workers’ rights.
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Reviving May Day traditions brings joy and welcomes the warmth of spring. Create a basket, fill it with spring’s beauty, and share it with someone special for a memorable May Day celebration—just don’t get caught!

Flash floods are also known as pluvial floods. These occur when extreme precipitation causes a flood independent of a body of water. This can happen anywhere, including in urban areas when the drainage system or dam is overwhelmed. 

The tiny plastic thing placed in the middle of a pizza box is called a “box tent”.

Moles can be pesky, but they also have some redeeming qualities. They eat many soil pests, including grubs, termites, and slugs. They also aerate the soil, allowing deeper air and water penetration into the soil.

Mulch peonies each spring with 2-3 inches of material to control weeds.

The U.S. Army established Fort Benjamin Harrison in Lawrence Township in 1904. During WWI, the Fort was used for officer training camps and to train engineering specialists. Spring is a good time to hike Fort Ben’s nature trails, take a horseback ride, pack a lunch to eat around the lake, or enjoy a learning experience at the visitors’ center.

A group of zebras is called a “dazzle”.

Dig and divide hardy perennials flowers, especially ones that bloom in the fall, such as mums and sedum.
It’s important to sterilize plant pots. Over time, garden pots can accumulate mold, salt deposits, and pests that may harm your new plants.

The “Easter Bunny” who visits children on Easter morning was an invention of German Protestants. The “Oster Hase” or “Easter Hare” brought eggs and sweets to “good children”.
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The 3-hour gardening rule advises avoiding gardening between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. during the summer to prevent sunburn, dehydration, and sunstroke. It also benefits plants by reducing stress as midday is the least ideal time to water.