Did you know the autumnal equinox marks the start of fall in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern hemisphere? On the equinox, the sun crosses the celestial equator and day and night are equal in length. In the southern hemisphere, the fall equinox marks the beginning of spring. When I went to southern Africa in July, people asked me if it was hot. Nope! It was winter there.
Did you know that leaves change colors in the fall because of decreasing amounts of a pigment called chlorophyll? Chlorophyll, which converts air and water into food for plants, gives leaves their bright green color. The colder fall temperatures decrease chlorophyll production which causes the green to fade.
Did you know that pumpkins can grow to be over 1,000 pounds? These gigantic gourds are so heavy they sometimes collapse under their own weight! Growing large pumpkins has almost become a sport and there are thousands of videos online dedicated to tips for growing a good one.
Although summer in Boise is awesome, fall is even better. We’re looking forward to more sunny days and crisp nights!
