The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alarmed doctors with a change to its website that they say raises unfounded doubts about childhood vaccine safety.
Ben Hendren/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Ben Hendren/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made a dramatic about-face in the agency’s position on the relationship between vaccines and autism.
The CDC’s website now says a link between vaccines and autism cannot be ruled out. That’s a reversal from the CDC’s longstanding stance that there is no link.
The change comes even though a connection between vaccines and autism has long been debunked by a large body of high-quality research. But Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long promoted the discredited claim.
The CDC’s change is alarming public health experts. They are already worried about a drop in childhood vaccination, which has led to a resurgence of dangerous childhood diseases like measles and whooping cough.
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has been changed to promote false information suggesting vaccines cause autism,” said Dr. Susan J. Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, in a statement. “Since 1998, independent researchers across seven countries have conducted more than 40 high-quality studies involving over 5.6 million people. The conclusion is clear and unambiguous: There’s no link between vaccines and autism.”
She went on to say, “Anyone repeating this harmful myth is misinformed or intentionally trying to mislead parents. We call on the CDC to stop wasting government resources to amplify false claims that sow doubt in one of the best tools we have to keep children healthy and thriving: routine immunizations.”
In a statement to NPR, Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon repeated one of the changes to the website: “The claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.”
He said the department “has launched a comprehensive assessment of the causes of autism, including investigations on plausible biologic mechanisms and potential causal links.”
“The new statement shows a lack of understanding of the term ‘evidence,'” the Autism Science Foundation said in a statement the organization provided to NPR, adding, “No environmental factor has been better studied as a potential cause of autism than vaccines.”
It’s a statement that’s confusing by design, said Dr. Paul Offitt, a pediatrician and director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “These are the usual anti-vaccine tropes, misrepresentation of studies, false equivalence,” he says. “They might as well say chicken nuggets might cause autism because you can’t prove that either.”
The changes on the website “blindsided” career scientists at CDC, says Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, a former top CDC official who resigned from the agency in August. “The scientists did not participate in its creation,” he says. “And the data are unvetted.”
Two current CDC staffers, who contacted NPR Thursday, say the updates are a glaring red flag that indicate the vaccine information on the agency website is no longer credible, and is instead “anti-science.” They requested anonymity out of concern they could lose their jobs for speaking to the press.
The moves are the latest in a series of steps Kennedy has taken on the safety and effectiveness of vaccines that run counter to mainstream medical and scientific organizations like the pediatrics academy, the Infectious Disease Society of American and the American College of Physicians.
Vaccine proponents say the moves are recklessly undermining public confidence in vaccines and fueling vaccine hesitancy, putting the nation’s children at risk. The U.S. appears to be poised to lose its status as having eliminated measles.
Kennedy sacked all the members of the CDC’s influential Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, earlier this year and replaced the members with his own slate. In one of its first actions, the new advisory committee called for the removal of the preservative thimerosal used in a small fraction of flu vaccines, even though safety concerns about it have also been debunked.
Under Kennedy, federal health agencies have also made it harder for people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and canceled grants funding new vaccines that rely on mRNA technology at the heart of the most used COVID vaccines.
The Trump administration has also claimed there is a link between acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, and autism, and promoted the use of leucovorin, a prescription form of vitamin B9, to treat autism even though the evidence supporting that is scant.
Public health experts say both moves are scientifically unsound and would essentially upend the nation’s childhood vaccination regimen, leaving children vulnerable to diseases that had long been brought under control.
The CDC acknowledges in a footnote on its main webpage on autism and vaccines that it still carries a header reading “Vaccines do not cause autism*” and says it hasn’t “been removed due to an agreement with the chair of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee that it would remain on the CDC website.”
NPR emailed Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy’s office for comment but didn’t receive an immediate response. Cassidy chairs the Senate HELP Committee, which vetted Kennedy’s nomination to lead HHS and voted along party lines to support it.
Cassidy posted on X Thursday afternoon: “I’m a doctor who has seen people die from vaccine-preventable diseases. What parents need to hear right now is vaccines for measles, polio, hepatitis B and other childhood diseases are safe and effective and will not cause autism. Any statement to the contrary is wrong, irresponsible, and actively makes Americans sicker.”
I’ve always thought about redoing the lyrics of “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt to make it more gardener-friendly. Not that there’s anything wrong with wanting a ’54 convertible in light blue, but I’d rather have an Ariens mechanical edger in bright orange. And I have no use for a ring under the tree. I’ve already got one of those, and for most of the gardening season it sits in a jewelry box because compost and diamonds don’t mix well. Speaking of compost, I wouldn’t mind finding a couple yards of that dumped under my redbud tree instead.
This might all sound a bit silly, but I think it makes the point that gardeners can be notoriously hard to buy gifts for (or at least that’s what my husband tells me). We generally value practicality over prettiness. So in an effort to help out those of you who have been tasked with purchasing a present for that favorite plantsperson in your life, we have collected a lengthy list of items that any gardener would be delighted to receive.
On this list you’ll find suggestions from Fine Gardening staffers like Don Burgard, our talented copy editor. The thing Don wants most this year is a pole saw, but not just any pole saw—the saw he wants has features that make it especially useful.
You’ll also find suggestions from our cadre of regional reporters. These are folks from all corners of the U.S., who bring their expertise and extensive experience in gardening to inform their choices. No matter where you, your regional reporter has you covered.
The most important bit of advice I have for those of you looking for that perfect gardening gift is that it is sometimes the smallest things can make us the happiest. Years ago my spouse stuck a small bag of bare-root peonies in my stocking, and I almost cried. To the rest of the family it appeared like I had received a weird pile of brown tentacles. But to me, it was the best gift ever.
FG Staff Picks
The only “shovel” you’ll ever need
Photo: courtesy of the manufacturer
Many years ago I inherited my grandfather’s rabbiting spade. At the time I wasn’t quite sure what good a small-headed shovel would do in my garden. But I quickly came to consider it THE most invaluable tool I own. The folklore goes that poor tenant farmers in the 19th century would file down a traditional-size shovel to a rounded point so it could be used to easily dig up rabbits for supper. This narrow-handled tool is often called a “poacher’s spade” because this action would all take place illegally on the rich estate owner’s land. In modern times, this sharp shovel is ideal for edging a bed, transplanting in tight quarters, or even slicing through thick roots for easy division. The closest version to my heirloom that I can find is the rabbiting spade from Red Pig Garden Tools. Known for custom-built, blacksmith-forged tools, this company has thought of every detail. The handle length is 48 inches, but if you’re on the shorter side, you can request one that is only 44 inches long. The blade has a tapered, rounded cutting edge that is about 9 to 11 inches long, and two straps with rivets secure the head to the handle, ensuring strength and stability. The only bad thing I can say about this beautiful rabbiting spade is that it makes my older version look sad in comparison.
Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone’s hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.
Price: $65.99 at the time of writing
A useful tool for many tasks
Photo: Carol Collins
This high-quality garden knife from A. M. Leonard is the tool you will want to have at your side whenever you are in the garden. The 6-inch stainless steel blade has a wonderfully sharp serrated edge that will cut through roots and stems quickly and cleanly. The blade also has a notch for cutting twine and is marked in 1-inch increments that are useful for measuring planting depth or for lending scale to reference photos. The knife’s comfortable molded handle has a wide guard, and its bright orange color makes it hard to misplace. You can safely keep the tool close at hand using the durable leather sheath, which can be threaded onto a belt or clipped to your waistband or pants pocket. This knife is perfect for planting, dividing, weeding, digging, and prying, and you will keep finding new uses for it all the time.
For delicate pruning jobs, you can’t do better than these pruning snips from Fiskars Non-stick Micro-Tip Pruning Snips. They are a great supplement to your regular pruners. Like scalpels with handles, they will cut even the smallest and thinnest of shoots with sharp precision. They’re great for cut-flower gardens, bonsai pruning, and herb gardening. Just 6 inches long with 1.75-inch blades, they’re lightweight and nimble. The blades spring back open after cuts and are also covered with a nonstick coating to reduce jamming. This means that less pressure is required, making it much easier on your hands. Be sure to keep the sheath on the end of the snips, as the blades are very sharp. Best of all, this tool is sold in a two-pack, so you’ll have a backup if you misplace it.
Living in a house surrounded by trees is wonderful, but a downside is the ongoing need for maintenance. As a younger man, I proudly tackled the job of tree trimming with a bow saw, which not only required some muscle but also a ladder. I later added a pole saw to my tool arsenal, which meant that I could leave the ladder in the garage—but handling the pole saw still demanded a lot from me. Upon seeing how hard I was working to trim a tree one afternoon, my neighbor introduced me to his latest gadget—a pole chain saw. It’s just what it sounds like—a chain saw at the end of a pole. With one of those, I could do my tree trimming and still have enough upper-body strength left for lugging around my regular chain saw to cut up the branches into more-manageable pieces.
Although the tool that my neighbor let me borrow is powered by gasoline, I’ve got my eye on this battery-powered version by SunJoe, with an advertised runtime of up to 15 minutes. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but a chainsaw is going to move through a tree branch a lot faster than a saw that’s powered by me. This saw has a telescoping pole that extends almost to 7 feet, and the company claims that it can saw through branches 9.5 inches thick. If Santa is on board with the idea, I hope next spring to be chain-sawing my way to healthier and more shapely trees.
BAR + CHAIN: 8 in. auto-lubricating bar + chain with 2.7 fl oz oil tank capacity and oil level window. TELESCOPIC: Telescoping pole extends from 3.7 ft to 7.2 ft, providing up to 14 ft of overhead reach. ADJUSTABLE HEAD: Multi-angle head adjusts from 0º to 30º
24-VOLT SYSTEM: 24V 2.0 Ah IONMAX lithium-ion battery allows for up to 32 cuts of 4″ x 4″ pine on a single charge.
Price: $110.49 at the time of writing
Garden snips for the cut-flower gardener
Photo: courtesy of the manufacturer
A good pair of garden snips is essential if you’re growing a cut-flower garden. This year, I went against everybody’s advice and decided to grow my own wedding flowers. I knew that to do it right I would need the correct tools, and one of the most essential ended up being these snips. Though my wedding was postponed due to the pandemic, I was still able to enjoy the flowers throughout the growing season. I loved grabbing these snips and heading into my garden beds to see what flowers were ready to harvest, and then playing with the design of the bouquets. These snips have a comfort-gel ergonomic grip that makes them very easy on the hands during repeated use—as when one is harvesting stems and branches for bouquets. They are sharp and cut precisely, even on thicker-stemmed plants and woodies like hydrangeas, viburnums, and beautyberries. They also feature a thorn stripper and a floral wire cutter right on the snips, making these a great choice for the professional florist too.
I have a confession to make—I’m a serial plant killer. I’ve always loved and appreciated plants, but watering and I have never gotten along. I can find a million other things to do in a day rather than spend a little bit of time tending to my plants. But that all changed when I got this simple, small, but absolutely adorable watering can. It’s pretty enough to leave on your plant stand so that it’s always handy, and its friendly face will encourage you to check on your thirsty plants even when you’re feeling too tired or busy. With a half-gallon capacity, it’s perfect for a small patio garden or collection of indoor plants. It’s never too heavy to carry around my house, yet it still holds enough water so that I’m not constantly running back to the kitchen sink for refills. Do your part to reform a serial plant killer in your life with this cheery gardening gift.
—Kaitlyn Hayes, digital content production specialist
Let your houseplants water themselves
Photos: Kara Demos
I love houseplants and have acquired many beautiful varieties in my home. As much as I love my houseplants, however, I find it quite a task to water them all. Then I discovered these fiberglass globes. They look beautiful and can water your plants slowly for up to two weeks. With these tools, I am hoping to cut back on the amount of time it takes to water my plants while adding a beautiful decorative touch to them. I am putting these beautiful glass globes on my wishlist this year!
—Kara Demos, digital content production specialist
Mid-Atlantic Regional Reporter—Michele Christiano
Amp up your container game with this guide
Photo: Michele Christiano
A must-have book for anyone passionate about container gardening, The Flower Yard: Growing Flamboyant Flowers in Containers by Arthur Parkinson is packed from cover to cover with design ideas and practical tips on topics such as composting, planting, staking, and organic pest control. This charming book provides an intimate look into Parkinson’s garden, which consists solely of containers spilling over with the likes of tulips, cosmos, and dahlias throughout the year. He shares his design methods for choosing colors and textures for his containers with easy-to-replicate visuals like a mood board to envision plant combinations. This book not only keeps the reader visually entranced with the whimsy of his plant combinations, but it also offers an abundance of solid advice on container gardening for the novice and advanced gardener alike.
The SpearHead Spade is the only shovel the garden-tool enthusiast will ever need. Made with carbon manganese steel, the spade boasts a thicker and stronger blade than the typical shovel. Due to its narrow, pointed shape, the SpearHead Spade pierces any soil type, making planting and transplanting a breeze. Need to dig in a very small space? No problem! It maneuvers beautifully in fully planted beds where room is limited. Three different models are available for that special gardener in your life: long-handled, short D-handled, and a mini spade, which is perfect for very tight spots or container gardening. As a bonus, the short D-handled model comes in five bright colors.
—Michele Christiano has worked in public gardens for most of her career. She lives and gardens in southern Pennsylvania.
Midwest Regional Reporter—Mark Dwyer
Keep yourself organized with this bucket caddy
Photo: courtesy of the manufacturerPhoto: courtesy of the manufacturer
Fitting snuggly on a standard 5-gallon bucket, this amazing garden bucket caddy from Fiskars will free up the internal space of the bucket while keeping tools and supplies accessible and organized on the exterior of the bucket. Weatherproof and durable, this accessory is constructed of easy-to-clean canvas and includes nine deep pockets and two “pencil pockets.” The larger pockets can accommodate a wide range of hand tools such as a trowel, weeding tool, and hand pruners, as well as items such as a cell phone, sunscreen bottle, insect repellant, or a notepad. Customize your caddy as you see fit! Backed by a lifetime warranty, this bucket caddy is a welcome and appreciated product that sees increasing popularity with the efficient and organized gardener (and those who are still striving for efficiency).
This small, lightweight saw from ARS has limitless potential with a myriad of garden applications. The 6.5-inch curved blade has tri-edge serrated teeth that cut on both the push and pull motions. The incredibly sharp blade (made of high-carbon steel) is chrome-plated for rust and sap resistance and offers a very clean and efficient cut. A rubber-coated grip provides additional stability to any cut. When opened, the entire saw is 15 inches in length but folds and stores safely. Despite the blade length on this saw, it has few equals and is not only suitable for most garden uses but is popular in heavy-duty situations and orchard applications. I would not be without this saw, which also has a replaceable blade.
—Mark Dwyer, former director of horticulture at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin, operates Landscape Prescriptions by MD.
Mountain West Regional Reporter—Michelle Provaznik
Membership to your local public garden is a gift that keeps on giving
Photo: Michelle Provaznik
A membership to your local public garden is a gift that gives year-round. Memberships allow free admission to the garden and/or free parking. Discounts on classes, events, gift shop purchases, and so forth are often included as well. Be sure to check out your local garden’s website for specific details about its membership program. In addition, most garden memberships can be used for free or discounted admission to over 300 public gardens nationwide—a terrific perk for the gardener who also loves to travel. It’s also nice to know that your purchase provides much-needed funding for your local garden’s operations and programs—a true win-win.
This rolling garden seat saves your back and knees
Photo: courtesy of the manufacturer
If you have a loved one with a back that’s sore from hours working in the garden, this is a terrific gift that will ensure many more pain-free hours to tend their passion. The Rolling Garden Seat from Gardener’s Supply allows easy access to raised beds; imagine never having to hunch over to harvest green beans! It also eliminates stooping or bending to weed and deadhead flower gardens. The seat rotates 360 degrees and can be raised or lowered for the perfect height. The heavy-duty wheels can be used on a variety of surfaces, and a turnbar gives you front wheel control to easily meander your way through planting beds.
—Michelle Provaznik is executive director of the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Northeast Regional Reporter—Matt Mattus
A watering can as beautiful as your houseplants
Photo: Matt Mattus
After 30 years of practicing as a product designer, I can appreciate designs that are ergonomic, timeless, and practical. But it’s pure kismet when you discover a product that is also stunningly beautiful—even just as an object. The classic Haws watering can is all that and more. As with so many crafts, it all comes down to having the finest-crafted tools to work with. Chefs geek out over pricey knives and obscure kitchen paraphernalia, but we serious gardeners dream about things like hand-thrown pottery and, yes, authentic Haws watering cans.
My garden struggles include having too many wild rabbits who like to munch on my plants and three curious terriers who like to dig wherever I have dug. So when I saw these wire-covered cloches from Gardener’s Supply, I knew that I had to have them. Not only do they keep the bunnies, dogs, and deer from destroying a crop, but they look as if they came right out of a Beatrix Potter illustration. Now I can say goodbye to those rusty tomato cages that I would lay over the garden. These cloches stay out year-round—and they’re gorgeous. Shhh—no one needs to know that they are functional.
—Matt Mattus is the author of two books: Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening and Mastering the Art of Vegetable Gardening. He gardens in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Northern California Regional Reporter—Fionuala Campion
Protect your face and neck with this stylish hat
Photos: Fionuala Campion
Every gardener in your life would appreciate at least one of these comfortable and colorful hats this holiday season! Though I normally am extremely ambivalent about hats, I absolutely LOVE this lightweight, washable, breathable, and very flattering cotton hat from Foxgloves. Whether I’m gardening, traveling (this hat can be squeezed into the tiniest available luggage space), going to an outdoor event, or hiking, it has become my go-to head covering for every outdoor occasion—miraculously staying put even on the windiest of days! And it provides SPF50+ sun protection. Not only is this hat pretty, but it is available in an array of colors. You’re bound to find at least one that you or your gardening buddies will fall in love with (I have four at last count). I promise you’ll find yourself buying multiples to make sure you’ve got one to match every outfit! So put a Cotton Crochet Hat from Foxgloves on your own wishlist, or start shopping for your gardening friends and family.
Beyond Borders Fair Trade helps the talented metal artists it works with in the town of Croix des Bouquets, Haiti, to better their lives, alleviate poverty, and improve the Haitian economy—all through sharing their beautiful metal artwork with appreciative homeowners and gardeners all over the world. Using discarded oil barrels, hammers, chisels, and nails, each artist puts their gifts to work and creates gorgeous pieces ranging from small garden stakes for a flower border to large, collectible wall or fence pieces perfect for either indoors or out. There are styles, sizes, and price points to suit every friend or family member this holiday season. The hardest part is choosing which beautiful piece to give or to put on your own wishlist!
Make a stylish statement with these plush plant pillows
Photo: Marti Neely
Whether you have fallen in love with monsteras, anthuriums, alocasias, or any other wildly wonderful tropical plants, there is now a new way to bring their boldness into your living spaces with creative flourish. Give the gift of gardening with unique pillows inspired by nature from the Green Philosophy Co. The Succulent Plush Pillow is available in three colors and two sizes, with each easy-care micro plush cover created individually by hand. Additional styles of plant species are available. Partnering with Trees for the Future, this woman-owned company pledges to plant trees in developing countries for every purchase, with over 137,700 planted to date.
This book will help you make your garden more sustainable
Photo: Marti Neely
For anyone interested in learning how to create landscapes based on ecosystems and plant communities, there is no better place to start than Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change by Larry Weaner and Thomas Christopher, (Timber Press, 2016). This book is thoughtfully organized and written to be not only educational but also to tell the story of discovering nature’s seasonal surprises. It documents Weaner’s and Christopher’s personal journeys through horticulture, explored through lessons learned and used to inform you of best practices for developing more ecologically responsible gardens. Whether you are a novice gardener or a practicing professional, this is a must-have addition to your library.
—Marti Neely, FAPLD, owns and operates Marti Neely Design and Associates in Omaha, Nebraska.
Northwest Regional Reporter—Susan Calhoun
Help a novice become a practiced gardener
Photo: Susan Calhoun
This beginning gardener’s kit from California Picnic is good fun and a great gift for young gardeners, with its Wolverine-type claw gloves. Waterproof with plastic claw fingertips on one glove, the pair helps with digging out planting holes. Many gardeners wear out the fingers on gardening gloves, so this would also be perfect for any plantsperson on your list. The bright purple color could even help with finding the glove that always goes missing while working. Tools—including claw, rake, trowel, weeder, and even pruners—are all included in a tote that can carry other gardening bits and bobs.
Plan and document your gardening season with this journal
Photo: Susan Calhoun
Many gardeners keep records of plant purchases, save tags, and have loose notes about plants in a box. A gardener’s journal is a great way to organize all these bits and pieces. This waterproof log book has specific sections for design notes, plant pages, and memos, as well as a seasonal calendar to help with tasks. It is based on a five-year plan, so it has plenty of room to really track the garden. That New Year’s resolution to be more organized will be easier this year. It is available on many online sources, including the New York Botanical Garden website. This gift gives two ways by also helping to support the botanical garden.
—Susan Calhoun is the owner of Plantswoman Design in Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Gardener’s Log Book from NYBG
This weatherproof five-year log book includes the following features:
· Sturdy waterproof cover to protect pages from rain and muddy soil
· Lined pages and gridded paper for plotting beds
· Five years of 12-month bloom and harvest grids for recording what you planted and when
· Authoritative appendices on composting, pruning, pest and disease control, and container gardening
· Useful reminders by season on fertilizing, mulching, and transplanting
· Space for listing your favorite sources and suppliers.
Price: $ at the time of writing
South Regional Reporters—Jason and Shelley Powell
Weed more easily with this long-handled swoe
Photo: Jason and Shelley Powell
Long-handled tools are incredibly useful for many reasons. At the top of the list is the fact that they allow us to weed while saving our backs. Of all the long-handled tools we have used, none are easier and more effective than this swoe. With a 6-foot lightweight handle, we can reach to the back of our flower beds with ease. And with the narrow head that has cutting edges on three sides, we can weed between vegetable plants without uprooting them. If you want to make the gardeners on your gift list happy campers, put a bow on a swoe for them.
We love big pots, especially ones that we’ve planted with hard-to-replace frost-tender plants. There are few things more attractive than a nice lemon tree in a 20-inch glazed pot. Unfortunately, finding help to wrestle those big pots inside the night before that first hard frost can be difficult. Now there are these Down Under Plant Caddies, which can carry up to 500 pounds and still roll. A couple of different sizes are available for all kinds of pots. They make the prospect of moving that giant pot with the beautiful lemon tree into the garage a reality.
Every gardener likes big pots and moving them around. An empty pot isn’t terrible to move; however, once you fill it and plant it, putting it in the other corner of the patio is more challenging. Once you put the empty pot on wheels and get it planted, the fact that it may or may not look better in the far left corner or a couple of feet to the right is much easier to discover.
—Jason and Shelley Powell own and manage Petals from the Past, a garden center in Jemison, Alabama.
Southeast Regional Reporter—Dr. Andy Pulte
Heavy-duty gardening gloves that will last for years
Photo: Andy Pulte
Life is too short, and I garden too much to waste my time on cheapo gloves. They need to be comfortable, fit well, and last a season or more. Bionic is my go-to glove. Coming in at about $40 a pair, they might seem like a luxury item to most gardeners. However, over the last six years I have only worn out three pairs. Trust me, I put them to the test. I wear them when I am running a chain saw and when I’m pulling weeds. I tend to wear the fingertips of gloves out quickly. These have silicone finger pads for added fingertip longevity. Between each finger is flexible fabric that makes hand movement natural. A flexible Velcro wrist closure keeps dirt out of the gloves while you’re working.
Made in Wisconsin, the Original CobraHead Weeder and Cultivator is one of the garden items I always keep nearby. Around 10 years ago the developer of this unique gardening tool, Noel Valdes, handed me the first one I had ever seen. I suppose you can do almost anything with it in the garden. My preferred use is ripping dandelions out of the ground. When I’m not weeding, I use it to plant small transplants. I have also been known to trench shallow rows for seeding in my vegetable patch with its unique hood-shaped blade. What I like about it is its ability to transition between the indiscriminately forceful and the precise but delicate in the garden.
—Andy Pulte is a faculty member in the plant sciences department at the University of Tennessee.
Southern California Regional Reporter— Jane Gates
Waterproof work pants that can take abuse
Photos: courtesy of the manufacturers
Probably one of the best gifts I ever gave myself was an inexpensive pair of plastic-fabric pants. I bought them long ago, and they will likely remain in my wardrobe for a long to come. Whenever I have a messy project to do in the garden, I slip them on. Mine are now a piece of art displaying splattered paint from fences, oils, drips, and various other pieces of gardening history. They have rescued my legs from scratches, tears, thorns, and LOTS of bug bites. They are good for when I’m spraying, washing, pruning, turning creepy-crawly compost heaps, and cleaning messy, muddy areas. This may not be a very romantic gift, but it’s one that will surely keep on giving!
Hint 1: Buy at least one or two sizes bigger than normally worn so the plastic pants will slip easily over heavy jeans or anything else.
Hint 2: The thicker the better for durability.
The pair I still have was made by Columbia Outdoor Sportswear, and you can currently find styles of that company’s waterproof pants in retail stores and online. They come in assorted sizes and colors for men, women, and children.
Herb garden kits for indoors, outdoors, and spaces in between
Photos: courtesy of the manufacturers
What do you give someone who loves gardening and good food—especially when you can’t depend on the weather these days? How about an herb garden kit?
If you choose a good enough design, your garden kit can be grown indoors in a sunny window, be ported outdoors onto a balcony or patio, or be perched outside in the landscape as a point of interest. Snuggle it near the kitchen where the resident herbs will be fresh and convenient to snip just in time to complete that perfect meal!
All kinds of herb garden kits are available in garden centers, home stores, nurseries, and online. But I suggest gifting kits with mix-and-match, reusable pieces. These kits not only offer longer-lasting, eco-friendly service, but also opportunities to replant seeds for different seasonal favorites. Consider growing all kinds of herbs, spices, and maybe even a pot of small-growing vegetables (like radishes), fruits (think strawberries!), or decorative colorful flowers.
And if all of this is not enough to convince you, remember that an herb garden kit can bring delight to a child, adult, or even senior citizen. This is the kind of gift anyone can grow with.
—Jane Gates is a landscape designer based in Los Angeles.
Southern Plains Regional Reporter—Kim Toscano
Make your veggie garden work for you with this book
Photo: Kim Toscano
There’s a lot of information out there about companion planting, but little of it has stood up to rigorous scientific testing. That’s where Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden differs from other companion planting books. Author and horticulturalist Jessica Walliser examined nearly 200 scholarly research articles to find what methods produce scientifically significant results—and which ones do not. The product is a remarkably thorough presentation of how companion planting works and why, along with strategies gardeners can use to achieve a diversity of goals, from pest management to soil conditioning. Along the way, readers will gain valuable insights into the myriad ecosystem interactions that affect plant growth and productivity. This is a resource you’ll turn to for years to come. As a scientist, I am both incredibly impressed with and greatly appreciative of the research that went into writing Plant Partners.
I’ve been gifting bird feeders since grade school, when I brought home my first peanut butter–covered pinecone feeder. This protective ground feeder from Duncraft takes my gift-giving to a whole new level. The Duncraft Ground Platform Haven Feeder features a wire cover to protect small birds from raptors and other predators as they feed. Sitting just 6 inches above the ground, the low platform is perfect for juncos, finches, and sparrows. Doves like to gather around and feed on any seeds the smaller birds kick out onto the ground. The feeder is built from weather-resistant recycled plastic and has a woodlike finish. The wire cover is easy to remove for cleaning, and a mesh floor allows water to drain. Birding brings great joy to people of all ages, and I love to share my love of bird watching with others when it comes to gift giving.
—Kim Toscano is a horticulturalist, entomologist, garden designer, writer, and graphic designer. She previously hosted Oklahoma Gardening, a weekly PBS television program produced by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.
Southwest Regional Reporter—Mark Brotton
The toughest, most durable boots you’ll ever own
Photo: courtesy of the manufacturer
Slip-on boots and shoes are my favorites when working in a yard or garden. I prefer to steer away from laces at all costs just for the ease of not worrying about muddy shoes in the house. These Blundstone boots are extremely durable and practical for working outside, especially in the garden. These unisex boots are qualified to take great care of your feet whether you’re a man or woman. This brand also has specially made waterproof pairs for those of you who prefer to keep their feet toasty and unfrozen by the effects of water. These boots are tough and durable and have been perfected since 1870. If the specific boots pictured here don’t catch your eye, there are plenty of other styles you can check out.
Heavy-duty gloves with stylish prints and patterns
Photos: courtesy of the manufacturer
These gloves are a woman’s necessity when working in the garden. Some of us like getting dirt under our nails, but I am not one of those people. In my work as a contractor and designer for more than 20 years, I have always needed to protect my hands from nasty splinters or other sharp, pokey things, and I don’t enjoy spending lots of time cleaning my hands after work. These gloves will last for more than one season. They are available in green, pink, or purple with different design options for the woman or friend you love. I originally found these on Duluth Trading Co. but they don’t seem to carry them anymore, but Amazon does. If you’re looking for gloves for the man in your life, then you will most likely find the perfect pair from Duluth Trading Co. as well.
Made with real food ingredients, this easy cheesy chicken and rice casserole is satisfying and comforting on weeknights. It comes together with just 20 minutes of prep time, and has plenty of veggies to compliment the chicken, rice, and creamy cheese sauce.
Price: $24.95 (as of Nov 22, 2025 20:14:39 UTC – Details)
From the brand
Exercise bands by Atemi Sports
Your Ultimate Strength Training Companion: Atemi Sports resistance bands are designed to elevate your strength training regimen at home. Our resistance bands with handles and door anchor provide optimal resistance for building muscle, improving endurance, and achieving your fitness goals. Seamless Workouts with Included Door Anchor: Our bands for working out come with a heavy-duty door anchor. You can simply attach the anchor at any height, and perform a wide range of strength exercises targeting various muscle groups anytime, anywhere, including at home, office, or gym. Unlimited Exercise Options for Full-Body Workouts: You can use these resistance tube bands for performing traditional strength training exercises or dynamic movements like yoga and aerobics. The stretching bands can be used for arms, chest, back, legs, and core with precision and efficiency. Heavy-duty Materials and Ergonomic Design: Our fitness bands are made from pure natural latex, which is odorless, skin-friendly, and durable. Easy-grip handles are made of durable foam, nylon, and plastic. The handles are attached by a stainless steel ring, reducing the risk of breakage. Four Resistance Levels for Every Fitness Stage: Our fitness bands are available in Yellow (Light / 10-15LB), Red (Medium / 15-20LB), Blue (Heavy / 20-25LB), Black (X-Heavy / 25-35LB). Each pack includes one resistance tube with handles, door anchor, and an exercise guide.
Customers say
Customers find the resistance band to be a good workout tool that helps strengthen upper body muscles, with plenty of resistance and good value for money. They appreciate its durability and ease of use, and one customer mentions it’s particularly effective for home arm exercises. The band’s stretchiness receives mixed feedback, with some finding it easier to stretch while others note it’s not light enough for certain exercises.
Price: $34.99 (as of Nov 22, 2025 08:09:44 UTC – Details)
Take your fitness journey to new heights with these high-quality resistance bands. Made from durable natural latex, these non-slip bands are ideal for everything from assisted pull-ups to physical therapy exercises. Whether you’re building strength, toning muscles, or improving flexibility, these versatile workout bands adapt to any fitness level. Excellent for home gym workouts or on-the-go exercise, the set includes multiple resistance levels to help you progress. Add intensity to your stretching, glute exercises, and core workouts while maintaining proper form and control. FOUR RESISTANCE LEVELS – Get the exact intensity you need with bands ranging from 15-125 lbs. Whether you’re starting out or crushing advanced moves, there’s a level that fits your goals BUILT TO LAST – Made from thick, natural latex that won’t snap mid-rep. These durable resistance bands for women and men handle intense workouts without breaking down or losing tension GRAB AND GO WORKOUTS – This lightweight at home workout equipment comes with a carrying bag, so you can take your gym anywhere. Perfect for travel, outdoor sessions, or small spaces NON-SLIP GRIP – The textured surface keeps these stretch bands for exercise locked in your hands, even during sweaty sessions. No more interruptions from slipping or readjusting mid-set ENDLESS EXERCISE OPTIONS – Transform any space into your personal gym with this versatile home gym equipment. Great for pull-ups, stretching, physical therapy, and full-body strength training
Customers say
Customers find these exercise bands durable and of high quality, with decent colors and a pretty appearance. They are helpful for home exercises, with one customer noting they’re perfect for pull-up assistance. Customers appreciate the strength training benefits, with one mentioning they helped them achieve their first pull-up.
Between friends, family, and employees, I’ve come up with a lot of gift ideas over the years. Christmas gifts for men are some of the trickiest to come up with, but I’ve managed to find plenty of great ones that meet my standards. The following thoughtful gifts are ones he’ll actually use and enjoy!
Best Christmas Gifts For Men
This gift guide includes some of the best gifts for the men in your life. Most of them would also work for Father’s Day or a birthday gift too. I love creating DIY gifts, but sometimes it’s nice to buy them. Some things, like an EMF protective phone case or a portable water filter, are harder to make yourself.
Whether you’re buying for your husband, boyfriend, dad, brother, or that one cousin on your mom’s side, I’m sure you’ll find something on this list to pique their interest. All without having to resort to a gift card (although they do make great stocking stuffers).
I also like giving gifts that are high quality and will last. This helps keep items out of the landfill and reduces waste. And they need to be as eco-friendly and natural as possible! The following Christmas gifts for men meet my standards, and are useful, but still fun to have around.
45+ Gifts For Men (That He’ll Actually Use!)
Food and Drink
Perfect for any guy who likes to grill, cook, or just eat.
Wine Aerator – Pour wine through this to improve flavor. Great for the foodie in your life.
Heat Proof BBQ Gloves – For the man who likes to grill, these gloves will protect his hands.
Pizza Oven – These pizza ovens make amazing tasting pizzas and can also be used to give a unique flavor to other foods.
ButcherBox – Is your man the grill master? Give the gift of 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, pork raised crate-free, and wild-caught seafood. We have a monthly subscription and enjoy their filets and ground beef.
Kasadrinos Olive Oil – I use olive oil a lot between cooking, using on salads, and anywhere in between. Kasadrinos is the only olive oil that I trust and anyone with a love of cooking (and eating!) will taste the difference.
Wine Subscription – If your guy is a wine drinker, he’ll love this wine subscription box of organic biodynamic wines.
YETI Rambler – This heavy-duty stainless steel and vacuum sealed large mug keeps things cold or warm for hours.
Whiskey Glasses – A gift set that includes whiskey glasses, a wooden storage and gift box, granite cubes to chill, and cocktail cards. The perfect holiday gift for the guy who likes his whiskey on the rocks.
Purity Coffee – If you’re looking for a perfect cup of joe, look no further. Team this up with a coffee maker and you have a perfect gift.
Salt Block for Cooking – He can grill (or bake) fish, meat, and veggies on a salt block for amazing flavor.
Wellness
Various products for overall health and wellness.
Cold Plunge – Definitely more of a splurge, but one of my favorite ways to get the benefits of cold therapy. Alternate with sauna use for even more health benefits! Here’s an 88 gallon budget friendly version.
Defender Phone Case or Laptop Shield – Protect him from EMFs when using electronics. The Heat Shield is perfect for those who frequently use their laptops on their lap and need a layer of protection.
Red Light Cap – Looks like a baseball hat, but has red light inside for hair growth and scalp health.
Higher Dose – Their infrared PEMF mat combines infrared therapy and pulsed electromagnetic fields for better recovery, more energy, and relaxation.
Sauna Blanket – An easy and convenient way to get all of the health benefits of sauna.
CBD Products – If he’s on the move and needs more calm, energy, or muscle support, then give him one of these CBD infused products. Use code WELLNESSMAMA for a discount.
Mystery Tackle Box – Does he love fishing? This variety pack of surprise fishing gear comes with supplies for freshwater bass (smallmouth and largemouth) and a mini fishing magazine.
Rumpl Outdoor Blanket – Speaking of camping, my family has Rumpl blankets for our outdoor events. They’re waterproof, washable, and warm on these fall and winter nights. Can be used indoors, too! They’re made from 100% recycled materials and recycle over 5 million discarded plastic bottles every year.
ENO Hammock – Portable hammock that fits in a small bag and is great for travel and camping.
Tactical Backpack – For the outdoorsman, this bag is a practical gift to hold everything he could need from gadgets to a toolset, to a hoodie.
Fire Starter Kit – Useful tool from our favorite outdoor brand to start fires. This all-in-one tool does it without matches or a lighter.
Solo Stove Tabletop Fire Pit – Crisp evenings are always better with a fire pit and this one is great for smaller areas or if you just don’t want to deal with the bigger ones.
Tactical Pen – More than just a pen, it works in all conditions and can break a car window if a person is trapped.
Skincare
Most guys aren’t big into skincare routines, but these simple products make the cut.
A new razor – Alitura is one of our favorite brands for skincare. Their high-quality razor shaves perfectly and is great for sensitive skin.
Beard Oil– Great option for the bearded man in your life. The organic oils from Toups and Co make this feel like a luxury gift!
OneSkin – All of their skincare products are backed by clinical studies, safe for sensitive skin, and free from harmful ingredients. They also have a minimalistic look many guys prefer.
Essential Oil Skincare – Plant Therapy has a range of men’s products including beard balm, beard oil, and essential oil roller blends.
Fitness
For guys who like to workout or are on the move… or just need some relaxation and sore muscle relief.
Smart Wool Socks – Warm but not sweaty and they keep feet dry. Great for hiking or everyday use.
NFL Sports Coasters – These stainless steel coasters are a great gift for that sports guy that has everything. They also make the perfect addition to a man cave.
Myobuddy – A percussive heated massager that targets muscle and fascia. A lot of people use this for cellulite, I just use it for relaxation and fascia massage. It has a wider massage platform than some other popular options, like Theragun. Use code wellnessmama for a discount.
Oura Ring – This is the fashionable ring that does it all: tracks your sleep, HRV, and tells you how ready you are to start the day. Does your guy like to know all his stats and wants to track his health metrics? This tech gift is perfect for that!
Kettle Bells – If he loves working out, Kettle Bell Kings offers all sorts of weights and other workout gear.
Kion – Get a delicious aminos drink and supplements for recovery after activity. Save 10-20% at the link.
Rapid Release – Like a chiropractor and a massage therapist built into one. This device is designed to release muscle tension and it works. I love this thing.
Portable Red Light – This red light therapy device from Joovv is compact for on the go and less cumbersome than larger red light panels. Perfect for sore muscles. Or try this flexible, wearable red light.
Sentimental
Tell him you love him with one of these heartfelt gifts.
Photo Book – Gather all of your favorite moments together and add them into a special book for him.
T-Shirt Quilt – This easy, DIY unique gift is the perfect gift for a guy who has a lot of sentimental old T-shirts lying around. It took me about 8 hours to make this personalized gift from start to finish.
Star Registration – If you’re looking for that unique, sentimental gift, this is the one for you! You can name a visible star and you’ll receive a certificate with the name and location.
Just Because
These gift ideas don’t fit neatly into the above categories, but they still make great gifts for men!
Comfy Slippers – My brother loves these slippers he got a couple of years ago.
Pooping Pooch Calendar – Yep, it’s exactly what you picture… perfect (or awful?!) for the dog lover in your family!
Saddleback Leather Wallet – This wallet has a 100-year warranty (yes, really!). They also have really high quality boots, satchels, and other leather products.
Sleep Mask – These futuristic looking sleep masks boast 100% blackout and zero eye pressure.
Merino Wool Slippers – These felted wool slippers keep feet warm while wicking away sweat and neutralizing odor. Plus they’re fair trade and ethically sourced.
Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Men
Trailside Utensil – For those who love to spend time outdoors and camp, this lightweight spoon and fork combo is ideal for any campfire meal. The multitool also has a bottle opener on it.
Spices for Meat (and anything else!)– Many of you know Laila Ali (daughter of the great Muhammad Ali) has handcrafted an amazing line of spice blends. The GOAT seasoning was inspired by the way the legendary boxer preferred his favorite cheeseburger and is a favorite in our kitchen. Have you listened to our podcast interview?
Four Sigmatic Coffee – Between the individual coffee packets or the 24 oz. bag, your guy will be ready to go for the day. My favorite? The coffee with Lion’s Mane and Chaga.
mellö Magnesium – These magnesium packets come in several flavors and include L-theanine and GABA for relaxation, brain support, and calm.
Paleovalley Beef Sticks – Almost every man loves a good beef stick! And you can be confident that they’re eating the healthiest version of them.
LMNT Electrolyte Packets – Replacing our electrolytes when we workout, use the sauna, or when we fast is super important. LMNT offers multiple flavors (watermelon and raspberry are at the top of my list) and only sources clean ingredients.
Ice Shaker Bottles – Co-founded by NFL player Rob Gronkowski, these bottles are some of my most used when I’m on the go.
Essential Oil Skincare – Plant Therapy has a range of men’s products including beard balm, beard oil, and essential oil roller blends that fit perfectly in a stocking.
If you’re living in a region with harsh winters, then should insulate the chicken coop from frost and wind chill.
Using a heating lamp is one of the popular ways to keep the chicken coop warm at night. But most chicken growers would like to try more natural way to winterize chicken coop.
9 Ways to Winterize Chicken Coop
Basically, these birds are native to Southeast Asia. Yes, they are tropical native birds that need warmth.
Though they have adopted over thousands of years, they are still haven’t shed their tropical roots.
When the temperature drops below freezing point, then your birds might have serious problem.
As the temperature drops further at night, it is important that you prepare the chicken coop for cold weather.
1. Add Proper Insulation
A well-insulated chicken coop is the first and most important step in preparing for winter. It helps retain the natural body heat your chickens generate and prevents icy winds from seeping through weak spots. Even hardy breeds feel the chill when temperatures drop below freezing.
You can use a variety of materials to insulate the coop effectively. Choose whichever fits your budget, climate, and coop design.
Common insulation options include:
Foam boards for long-term insulation
Straw bales stacked along outer walls
Shredded paper or cardboard layers
Recycled wool, blankets, or old rugs
Bubble wrap on windows to reduce heat loss
Always cover insulation with plywood or boards so the flock doesn’t peck or ingest it. Exposed insulation can be harmful and won’t last the entire season.
Focus most of your attention on the walls and ceiling. These areas lose the most heat and benefit greatly from an extra layer of protection.
The north-facing wall deserves extra care because it takes the strongest winter winds. Adding straw bales or an exterior panel reduces wind chill inside the coop.
While insulating, remember that chickens still need ventilation. A fully airtight coop traps moisture, leading to frostbite and respiratory issues.
Aim for a balance—warm but not sealed, insulated but still able to “breathe.” Keep vents high near the roofline so air circulates without creating drafts.
With proper insulation installed, the coop stays drier, warmer, and far more comfortable. This simple upgrade helps your flock conserve energy and stay healthier all winter long.
2. Improve Ventilation
Ventilation is often misunderstood in winter care, but it’s one of the most crucial elements for a healthy coop. Chickens produce a lot of moisture through breathing and droppings, and when that moisture gets trapped, it turns into condensation. This damp air settles on combs and wattles, sharply increasing the risk of frostbite even if the temperature is not extremely low.
Good ventilation allows humid air to escape without letting cold drafts hit the birds directly. It keeps the coop dry, lowers ammonia odors, and maintains cleaner, healthier air throughout winter. To achieve this, keep the vents open year-round, even during cold weather. Place ventilation openings high near the roofline so air can move above the chickens while they roost.
Use secure materials like hardware cloth on the openings to allow airflow while keeping predators out. Avoid closing vents during storms, because trapped moisture is far more dangerous to chickens than cold air itself. The goal is to let warm, moist air rise and exit naturally while allowing a gentle flow of fresh air inside.
A properly ventilated coop feels warmer, drier, and far more comfortable. With the right airflow, your chickens can handle winter conditions safely and stay healthier through the cold months.
The deep-litter method creates a naturally composting floor that generates gentle warmth during winter. As the bedding slowly breaks down, it releases heat that rises through the coop and helps keep the environment more comfortable for your flock.
Begin with a thick base of pine shavings, straw, or dry leaves. Add fresh bedding every week so the top layer stays clean and absorbs moisture. Avoid doing a full clean-out during winter; instead, remove only wet or heavily soiled spots. This allows the composting process to continue undisturbed and maintain steady warmth.
By the time spring arrives, the coop floor will have turned into rich, ready-to-use compost. It’s one of the simplest, warmest, and most low-maintenance winterizing methods for chicken keepers.
4. Seal Cracks and Block Drafts
Drafts are one of the biggest hidden problems in winter. Even a small gap can let freezing air sweep across the roosts, chilling your chickens and increasing their risk of frostbite. That’s why sealing cracks is a key part of winterizing the coop.
Start by doing a slow walk-around, checking every corner of the structure. Look closely around windows, doors, roof edges, and flooring gaps. Use simple materials like caulk, wood strips, insulation tape, or weather-stripping to close these openings.
Focus especially on the north and west sides of the coop, since these areas usually face the harshest winter winds. A few strategic fixes can make a big difference.
Remember, draft-free does not mean airtight. The coop still needs ventilation, but eliminating sharp gusts keeps your flock warmer, safer, and far more comfortable through winter.
5. Winterize the Roosts
Roost placement plays a huge role in keeping your flock warm during winter nights.
Chickens trap heat by fluffing their feathers, but they rely on wide wooden roosts—at least 2 inches across—to fully cover their toes. This simple detail helps prevent frostbite and keeps them comfortably insulated.
Position the roosts higher than the nesting boxes so the birds can take advantage of rising warm air. Make sure they’re placed away from windows, vents, or any area where drafts may blow directly onto them.
A dry, elevated, and draft-free roost creates a cozy resting space and allows your flock to stay healthier and more resilient through freezing temperatures.
Cold winds can drastically lower the temperature inside the coop, even if you’ve added insulation. Creating windbreaks around the structure helps block these harsh gusts and reduces overall heat loss during winter.
You can use several simple materials to build effective wind barriers:
Stack straw bales along the wind-facing sides of the coop
Attach temporary plywood sheets or PVC wind panels
Plant dense shrubs or position wooden pallets nearby
Use tarps only if they are tightly secured to avoid loud flapping
Always place windbreaks a few inches away from the actual coop wall to prevent trapping moisture. This protective buffer shields the coop from wind chill and makes the interior significantly warmer and more comfortable for your flock.
7. Keep Water From Freezing
Chickens can handle cold temperatures, but they cannot go without fresh, unfrozen water. Heated water bowls, heated bases, or even simple rubber tubs can slow ice formation and keep water accessible on freezing nights. Keeping the waterer outside the coop helps reduce humidity inside, which lowers the chances of frostbite.
Refresh the water with warm water each morning and check it again in the evening to ensure it hasn’t iced over. With a dependable winter water setup, your chickens stay properly hydrated and far healthier throughout harsh winter conditions.
8. Ensure Dry Bedding and Clean Nesting Boxes
Wet bedding chills chickens quickly and traps moisture inside the coop, raising humidity levels. This creates the perfect conditions for frostbite and respiratory issues during winter.
Replace any damp or moldy bedding as soon as you notice it and keep nesting boxes filled with a thick, dry layer of straw. Removing droppings often also helps reduce ammonia and keeps the coop healthier.
Elevate nesting boxes slightly for better airflow and always keep extra dry bedding on hand for quick refills. Dry bedding means warmer bedding, helping your hens stay comfortable and continue laying through the cold months.
Heating lamps may seem like an easy way to warm the coop, but they can be very dangerous and often cause fires. Only use heat when it is extremely cold or if you have birds that cannot handle the cold, like chicks, older hens, or sick chickens.
If you do need extra heat, choose safer options such as radiant heat panels or ceramic heaters. These warm the coop gently without bright light or high fire risk.
Make sure any heater is installed safely, tightly secured, and placed far away from bedding or anything that could catch fire. The goal is to help your chickens stay warm without putting them in danger.
Conclusion
Winterizing your chicken coop means keeping it warm, dry, and well-ventilated while reducing drafts and moisture. Simple steps like adding insulation, managing bedding, and blocking wind help create a safer space for your flock.
Each improvement makes the coop cozier and healthier during freezing temperatures. With all nine steps in place, your chickens stay warm, comfortable, and ready to thrive until spring arrives.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting
Cozy up with this easy turkey soup recipe made from leftover roasted turkey, herbs, veggies, and pasta in a rich broth for the perfect soothing and warm dinner.
Price: $6.99 (as of Nov 21, 2025 19:57:40 UTC – Details)
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Global Version (2024) 1.62″ Amoled Display | 233 mAh Battery | up to 21 Days of Battery Life | Over 150 Workout Modes | BT 5.4 | 50M Water Resistant IMPROVED DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS: With an AMOLED peak display brightness of 1200 nits, view data with ease even under direct sunlight. Equipped with a light sensor module, it accurately detects ambient light to automatically adjust screen brightness for more comfortable viewing ELEGANT DESIGN: For the first time, the Xiaomi Smart Band utilises aluminium alloy frames in different colours such as Midnight Black, Glacier Silver, Mystic Rose and Arctic Blue. Pair it with a range of stylish straps, allowing you to show off your individuality with every flick of your wrist ELEGANT DESIGN: For the first time, the Xiaomi Smart Band utilises aluminium alloy frames in different colours such as Midnight Black, Glacier Silver, Mystic Rose and Arctic Blue. Pair it with a range of stylish straps, allowing you to show off your individuality with every flick of your wrist OVER 150 SPORTS MODES: Stay motivated with advanced algorithms covering metrics such as maximum oxygen consumption, recovery time, training results, load and more. Accurate tracking, no matter whether you’re cycling outdoors or sweating it out indoors LONG-LASTING BATTERY AND WATER RESISTANCE: Thanks to professional low-power consumption sensors and smart power consumption algorithms, Xiaomi Smart Band 9 has an extraordinary battery life of 21 days with regular use. In addition, it is water resistant and you can wear it while swimming: it withstands pressure equal to a depth of 50 meters
Customers say
Customers find this smart band to be a great value for its price and appreciate its amazing battery life, with one customer noting it can last up to 10 days. They praise it as an awesome fitness band that tracks workouts well, with one customer highlighting its accurate heart rate monitoring. Customers find the device easy to use and appreciate its many features, with one noting its comprehensive workout tracking capabilities. They like its appearance, with one customer specifically mentioning its pretty blue color.
Many people who take GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound for weight loss experience unpleasant side effects. Brain scientists are trying to find ways to avoid them.
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Millions of Americans have shed pounds with help from drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound.
But people who take these drugs often experience unpleasant side effects.
“They lose weight, which is a positive thing,” says Warren Yacawych of the University of Michigan, “but they experience such severe nausea and vomiting that patients stop treatment.”
So at this year’s Society for Neuroscience meeting in San Diego, Yacawych and other researchers held a session to describe their efforts to understand and solve the side-effect problem.
The weight-loss products are called GLP-1 agonists. They work by mimicking a hormone that reduces appetite and slows digestion.
Yacawych and his colleagues wanted to know if they could tweak these drugs to suppress appetite without making people queasy.
The team focused on two areas in the brain stem where GLP-1 drugs have a big effect.
“The first is affectionately known as the brain stem’s vomit center,” Yacawych says. “It’s naturally designed to detect any accidentally ingested toxin and coordinate the feeling of nausea and the vomit response.”
The second area monitors food intake and tells people when they’re full.
The team found a way to direct GLP-1 to the area involved in feeling full, while keeping the drug out of the vomit center.
When the researchers did this, the mice no longer felt sick. But they also didn’t get thin — probably because there are specific cells in the vomit center that do not induce vomiting but are critical to weight loss.
“So it’s very challenging,” Yacawych says, “to be able to separate these side effects, like nausea, from GLP-1’s intended effects, like weight loss.”
A possible workaround came from a team led by Ernie Blevins of the University of Washington. They gave obese rats a low dose of a GLP-1 drug along with the hormone oxytocin, which is itself an appetite suppressant. That allowed the rats to lose weight without feeling sick.
Not just nausea
Another side effect of GLP-1 drugs is a decrease in thirst, which could be dangerous for people who are already losing lots of fluids from side effects like vomiting and diarrhea.
“If you’re in that state of dehydration and you’re not feeling thirsty to replace those fluids, that would be a problem,” says Derek Daniels of the University at Buffalo.
To understand how GLP-1 drugs reduce thirst, Daniels and a team began studying the brains of rats. And they got lucky.
“We had a happy accident in the lab,” Daniels says. “And the happy accident involved a rat called the Brattleboro rat.”
Brattleboro rats are laboratory rodents with a genetic mutation that makes them thirsty nearly all the time. But the scientists discovered that these rats are also very sensitive to GLP-1 drugs, which drastically reduced their water consumption.
The team studied the rats’ brains to see where GLP-1 was influencing thirst. That led them to several areas of the brain that appear to affect thirst but not appetite.
The discovery could help scientists preserve thirst by designing drugs that “target good places but not bad places,” Daniels says.
Appetite and addiction
A team from the University of Virginia found that GLP-1 drugs are already targeting a brain area that plays a role in addiction as well as eating. It’s a region involved in emotion and the reward system.
When the researchers delivered GLP-1 to this brain area in mice, it reduced their desire for “rewarding food, like a burger,” says Ali D. Güler of the University of Virginia.
But the animals continued to eat healthy, nonrewarding foods, he says — a bit like people choosing a salad bar over dessert.
Identifying this brain area should help scientists find GLP-1 drugs that target the reward system while avoiding areas involved in appetite, Güler says. And that could lead to new treatments for alcoholism and other substance use disorders.
The finding also could explain the observation that people who take GLP-1 agonists tend to reduce their consumption of alcohol.
