Autumn, the Changeover Season.

When I think of Autumn, I think of shorter days, cooler weather (by a lot), the beautiful landscape of color that nature presents, and, of course, gardening. My guess is that most people go straight to imagining the intense display of colors, the cooler weather and shorter days, and that’s fair. But since there are a couple of “Gardening by Hacks” blogs here, I have to include the end stage of that three-season hobby. 

First, the color. Autumn’s transformation from summer’s endless greens into a kaleidoscope of yellows, oranges, and reds feels almost otherworldly. It’s nature’s grand finale before winter sets in, a living work of art that rivals the Northern Lights in beauty and wonder. People travel long distances to witness this seasonal spectacle, and for good reason. It’s a sight of bright, layered colors, sunlight filtering through the trees, and a gaudy carpet of fallen leaves covering the ground.  Looking out of my window, the holly tree is berrying and alive with birds enjoying the fruits of its labor (so to speak). There are even a few squirrels harvesting the take, and they, according to every “what do squirrels eat” search I’ve done, shouldn’t like them at all.

Then there are the walks. Autumn is ideal for wandering in the woods: the temperature’s perfect, it’s easy to dress for, and the light has that golden, filtered quality that photographers dream about. The trees still have a lot of leaves, but not so many as to block the sun from shining through, producing an incredible sight of their colors from within. The crunch of leaves underfoot, the smell of earth and bark, the rustle of wind—it’s pure sensory peace. And unlike your yard, you don’t have to rake the forest floor, which is a high in and of itself.

Of course, gardening itself doesn’t quite stop yet. Autumn marks the home stretch of the three- season hobby. There’s pruning, cutting back perennials, shaping hedges, and clearing fallen leaves. It’s the perfect kind of work—cool weather, no biting bugs, and no reason to rush. Fall gardening is about closing the book on the season while enjoying one more chapter outdoors. It’s exercise, therapy, and art all in one. (Just a couple of friendly disclaimers: *I take no responsibility for anyone pruning too early or late, plants are picky, and there’s an app for that info. **Based on age, follow the ladder rule – if you have to climb a ladder to prune something, don’t…)

As I think about all this vibrant beauty, Autumn also feels like nature’s gentle reminder of the circle of life. Not to get too heavy, but we do only get one shot. Before you know it, you’ll be saying, “I’m too young to be this old.” (F.A.) Like the seasons, our lives move through cycles, growth, bloom, harvest, and rest. Up here in the Northeast, we get four distinct seasons, and three of them are about rejuvenation and growth. The fourth, winter, is about recharging. Maybe that’s why Autumn feels so good: it reminds us to slow down, take stock, and simply be.

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