Make way for autumn

Autumn is a time of superior change.

Temperatures, plant life, foliage, animal behavior and complex cycles and the planet’s orbits all lead to the colorful season of autumn or fall. The word fall came into use in the 17th century as a poetic complement to the season of spring, according to Earl R. Anderson, author of Folk Taxonomies of Early English.

The seasonal change is due to the Earth’s tilt on its axis and the planet’s orbit around the sun. When the hemisphere tilts away from the warming rays of the sun, it’s autumn, then winter. This year the Northern Hemisphere will experience autumn from Monday, Sept. 23, to Saturday, Dec. 21.

According to livescience.com, cooler temperatures cause leaves to cease the production of green chlorophyll. Yellow and orange pigments called carotenoids and anthocyanins producing red pigment take chlorophyll’s place and set the tree’s leaves on brilliant fire.

With cooler temperatures throughout Sussex County, trees seem to get weeks ahead of the changing action in down below counties.

Sept. 14 was opening day at the annual Great Pumpkin Festival at Vernon’s Heaven Hill Farm, the largest fall festival in Northern New Jersey.

Sunday Sept. 15, a gorgeous day, saw growing crowds partaking in the farm’s numerous activities. The hay ride was rolling, pumpkins were hunted in the patch, children’s activities were busy and food truck opportunities abound. Halloween decorations and displays both frightened and delighted children and adults alike.

Heaven Hill and its Great Pumpkin Festival will be open weekends and holidays as well as Wednesday through Friday from Sept. 14 to Nov. 3.

For additional information, call the farm at 973-764-5144.