The wonderful summertime is winding down and the cosy season of autumn is almost here. The period when autumn begins and ends depends on whether you live in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere. Autumn, also called fall, starts in September and ends in November or December. According to the Met Office www.metoffice.gov.uk Astronomical autumn for 2024 begins September 22 and ends December 21. Nonetheless, Autumn is considered the cosy season because it is when daylight becomes shorter and the temperature cooler, certainly not as hot as the summer months. Nights begin earlier which signifies that the winter season is not far away. I love autumn because it reminds me of spring when every leaf becomes so beautiful like a flower, but what’s the science behind this sudden beauty why do the leaves change colour?
Transformation
During autumn plant leaves have a beautiful dark brown, orange, and red colour depending on the species. Most of the year these tree leaves are green because of chlorophyll and absorb energy from sunlight during photosynthesis. This chemical reaction enables plants to use sunlight to manufacture sugars for food. During autumn temperature drops days get shorter, and trees get less sunlight causing the chlorophyll in the leaves to break down. As chlorophyll lessens the plant leaves reveal yellow and orange pigments that were already in the leaves but masked during the warmer months.
Autumn is a good time for planting trees and shrubs because the temperature is cooler which is the perfect condition for the plant, and it is the rainy season. Planting in autumn allows the plant’s root system to be established before the brutal winter conditions.
Autumn Norms Some trees that show their beauty in autumn are Red Maple, Japanese Maple, Kousa Dogwood and Black Gum, these species make beautiful landscapes and people look forward to seeing the showy displays of the leaves. Crops planted in spring are usually ready to be harvested in autumn. A variety of pumpkins is one such crop that becomes abundant.
People change their home decor to reflect the autumn season and warm their homes to accommodate the cooler temperature. Decors reflect the colours of autumn leaves, a mixture of orange, brown and red. Home décor ranges from garlands on doors, cushions, ornamental and dried artificial tree leaves. Some people even change their plugins to a pumpkin spice scent.
Fall destinations The magnificence of autumn tree leaves makes some places a must-visit. A few places to visit during the season are Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, which has 355 miles of hiking trails and its beautiful yellow landscape during autumn is a must-see. The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville provides the perfect view of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and its spectacular colours. Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa has a beautiful, amazing view from your hotel room or leisurely on the property. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the stunning Royal Park in London, the sound of the crunchy leaves adds to the beautiful view of the park. Enjoy a lovely tour of Florida and Miami with Boat PASS, in October or November to see the gorgeous Fall colours of the trees.
Eco-friendly practices Whatsoever you do for the Fall season ensure that your practices are sustainable and eco-friendly. Reusable bags are a must-have and should be used for apple picking and collecting tree leaves, the leaves can be used for composting. Since pumpkins are plentiful during the season opt for a natural pumpkin decoration instead of ornamental. Use solar or LED lights for Halloween. Select recipes with pumpkin and apples since these are plentiful.
Unfortunately, not everyone gets to experience the magnificence of the autumn season, if you live in the Tropics you would only have wet and dry seasons. Perhaps you will see strange birds in your region, this is because birds in colder regions usually start migrating in autumn for warmer temperatures, food, and water.
Enjoy a lovely tour of Florida and Miami with Boat Pass, in October or November to see the gorgeous Fall colours of the trees.
