Sorry for leaving all of you hanging for a week. But since last weekend was a complete wash-out and the days are getting shorter, there hasn't been a lot going on in my garden besides the usual pond maintenance -- which has really been getting on my nerves lately.


I still haven't decorated for fall yet, and being October, I think it's time to take in my Tribal Council tiki lights! The rope-light Flamingos will also be flying south for the winter, to be replaced by my pumpkin and skull lights! Maybe this weekend will be better ...


Coming up, I'm hoping to blog about dividing perennials (tis the time again), mums, rain gardens, fall planting (no, I haven't planted my new bulbs yet), preparing for next spring and my end of season wrap-up on what worked and what didn't this year. Also, I still have to plant that Japanese Maple that sat on my patio all summer in a pot. Finally decided on a good spot.

But for now, how about some fun Fall Festivals coming up this weekend?


Beginning with Frecon Farms Fall Harvest Festival this Saturday in Boyertown. Come celebrate their harvest with Pick Your Own, live bluegrass music, Food Farmacy promotions, wine tasting from Blair Vineyards, gourmet foods and gift baskets for the most bountiful time of year! Children can tour around the orchard while mom and dad learn more about locally sourced foods and nutritional benefits of everyday foods. Share recipe ideas, carve pumpkins and celebrate the outdoors with everything nature has to offer.
Frecon Orchards Outlet is located on Route 562, just west of Boyertown, PA. Our address is 501 South Reading Avenue. For directions, go to http://www.freconfarms.com/directions.cfm.


Also on Saturday in Harleysville, the 35th Annual Apple Butter Frolic happens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Indian Creek Road Farm.
The Frolic celebrates the harvest season with delicious Pennsylvania German food, fun activities for children and interesting folk craft and farming demonstrations.
Parking for the festival is available at Harleysville Insurance, 355 Maple Ave., Harleysville, with continuous shuttle buses traveling the short disance to the Frolic.
Admission is $6 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-12 and free to children under 6. Proceeds support the Mennonite Heritage Center. The Frolic will be held rain or shine. It is requested that visitors do not bring pets to the festival.
For more information call the center at 215-256-3020 or visit www.mhep.org


The John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove welcomes shorter days and crisp autumn air with the Harvest Market Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Guests are invited to vsit JJAC to take part in family-friendly activities and events that run throughout the day.
Events include corn husk doll making, demonstrations of apple cider pressing, folktales about the crow, childrens' games and prizes, a gourd birdhouse workshop, and more. Most activities are free, but some require a nominal fee. It's a great chance to make some new fall decorations!
The highlight of the festivalwill once again by the Harvest Market, where visitors are encourged to support local farmers, merchants and craftsmen by purchasing a variety of goods. In addition to local product, organic baked goods, native plants, homemade jellies and james and more, guests will be able to purchase a variety of taste-tempting treats like candied apples and apple butter in addition to southern style barbecue offered by the Bridgeport Rib House!
This year, JJAC's first Invitational Fine Craft Show will begin at 9 a.m. and continue till 5 p.m., after the rest of the festival has closed.
Admission is free during the festivities. For more information call 610-666-5593 x101. Event is held rain or shine!

And for a chance to purchase unique vases and/or pots to display your garden treasures, visit the Fall Pottery Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. over at Stahl's Pottery, alon Corning Road in Zionsville.
The festival features tours of the potting sheds and klin, 25 potters displaying and selling contemporary pottery, pottery demonstrations, hands-on potting opportunities, an exhibit of historic Stahl's pottery, baked goods and a light lunch.
A special feature of this year's festival is the sale of the newly published book "Stahl's Pottery of Powder Valley" with book signing by authors Anne W. Goda and Barbara R. Goda. This book contains an informative history of the Stahl's Pottery, including a 16-page color portfolio of pottery pieces made at Stahl's and over 75 historic b/w photographs.
Another rain or shine event. For information visit www.stahlspottery.org or call 610-965-5019.