The next blue moon isn’t until May 2026, but luckily for you, you won’t have to wait that long to hear the Outside/In team answering listeners’ questions. This time, we’re exploring why blue moons are cool (or even what the heck a blue moon even is) and other seasonably appropriate curiosities.

1. What’s all the fuss about a blue moon?
2. Should we leave the leaves?
3. Which is a more sustainable choice: real or fake Christmas trees?
4. What happens to Christmas tree stumps?
5. What does all that road salt do to the environment?

Featuring Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, Tim Gaudreau, Victoria Meert, and Sujay Kaushal.

Thanks to Outside/In listeners Zoe, Janet, Gio, Alexi, Prudence, Wendy, Mo, and Devon for their questions and contributions.

SUPPORT

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LINKS

Check out this study on the long-term impacts of leaf litter removal in suburban yards.

Looking for a creative and cute way to keep leaves in your lawn or garden? Consider building a “bug snug.”

Read about the mad dash for salt that rescued the 2014 Sochi Olympics’ ski events (NYT).

Learn more about the turn to beet juice and beer-based de-icers to reduce the harm of excess salt to the environment (AP News)

CREDITS

Host: Nate Hegyi

Reported, produced, and mixed by Felix Poon, Justine Paradis, and Marina Henke.

Edited by Taylor Quimby, Rebecca Lavoie, and Justine Paradis.

Our staff includes Kate Dario.

Executive producer: Taylor Quimby

Rebecca Lavoie is NHPR’s Director of On-Demand Audio

Music by Blue Dot Sessions, Jules Gaia, and Jharee.

Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio

Submit a question to the “Outside/Inbox.” We answer queries about the natural world, climate change, sustainability, and human evolution. You can send a voice memo to outsidein@nhpr.org or leave a message on our hotline, 1-844-GO-OTTER (844-466-8837).