The first day of autumn is just around the corner. I am so excited! I love this season more as an adult that I ever did as a child. It was probably the back-to-school thing that I didn’t appreciate. I lived for summer vacation. But now, I love the cooler weather, the comfort food, and the changing colors. Apple harvests, pumpkin treats, reminders of what we are thankful for…How could I not love fall?
When I was younger, I thought that the leaves changing and dying was really sad. I loved my summer vacations and I felt that the leaves drying up was like nature’s way of saying “Summer is over, back to work!” I used to think the autumn colors signaled an end, but now I see it’s just a change. Plants go into hibernation for the winter, kind of like animals do. It’s part of the natural order of things. Now that I am older (and possibly wiser), I see that change is simply part of life and time flies very quickly. I am much better at trying to appreciate all the time I have and the beauty in each season.
Here in California, the colors change very late compared to most of the country. I have a beautiful pear tree in my front yard and it is spectacular to see when it reaches it’s peak. It doesn’t happen until sometime in November, but it’s beautiful. See? In California, autumn signals the beginning of our rainy season (such as it is these days). I love a rainy day, especially after a long, hot, dry, dusty summer. Everything smells so fresh and clean. This year has been especially bad with all the wildfires we have had. I am really looking forward to getting some rain. My plants are looking forward to it too.
Did you know the variations of color in autumn leaves is there all year round? I am sure I probably learned this in school once upon a time, but I was probably looking out a window wishing it was summer again. Leaves contains different chemicals that make them different colors. Beta-carotene (yes, like in carrots) is what makes leaves orange. Flavonol is what contributes a yellow color. The more anthocyanins in a leaf, the more red we see. We only see these colors when the plant stops producing chlorophyll. Remember that word from 5th grade science class? Chlorophyll is what makes plants green. It absorbs light and turns it into food for plants. When autumn comes, plants stop making chlorophyll and we get to see what else they’re made of.
I found this great map tool at www.smokeymountains.com. Here is the link: ( https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/). This image shows when California will reach near peak to peak autumn colors. Try the link to see when peak colors will reach your area. The site also explains the science behind fall leaves much better than I ever could.
Come back soon for more fall favorites. I can’t wait to talk about pumpkins and Thanksgiving! Ooh! And apples and warm, cozy, yummy fall recipes!
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