Turning and Falling

“In the autumn, the leaves come blowing, yellow and brown… Richard Adams, Watership Down

Recently, I was watching a funny segment on the Jimmy Kimmel show when his reporter went out on the street to ask people what the difference was between autumn and fall. I laughed out loud at the hilarious responses and the fact that the people they profiled not only couldn’t spell “autumn” but had no clue that the two words were synonymous. My favorite answer was from a young man who was adamant that he knew the definitions. He went on to passionately convey that autumn is the season when the leaves start turning color, while fall is the season when the leaves fall off the trees. He was then asked to Google the meaning of both words and was shocked to read that “autumn and fall” are meant to be used interchangeably. From that moment on, I have decided to grow with gratitude during the season of turning and falling.

Although it was autumn here with some of the crape myrtles, prune trees, and Japanese maples coloring, the “turning” wasn’t happening quickly enough. My husband and I decided to leaf peep in the great Northwest of Washington, specifically Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, where the “turning” and “falling” were gloriously occurring in gardens, forests, and wetlands.

People often wonder what makes the leaves turn colors. During the spring and summer months, the abundant amount of sunlight provides energy to create the green pigment called chlorophyll in a process of photosynthesis. The leaves convert the energy into sugars to feed the tree. Nitrogen is a main component of chlorophyll, and as temperatures cool and the days shorten in autumn, the nitrogen migrates back to the branches where it is stored for the next year. This is when the other biochemicals kick in, and we see the beautiful colors of red, scarlet, saffron, orange, purple, mahogany, and amber, called senescence or frondescence. These color pigments are already in the leaves, but they are masked by the green during warmer temperatures.

Evergreen trees, including conifers, continue photosynthesis throughout winter. Deciduous trees have leaves that turn colors. Leaves begin to fall when the plant transfers nitrogen and phosphorus to the trunk and roots as a protective seal is created between the leaves and branches. Cut off from the branch fluids, leaves separate and drop to the ground.

Sample List of Deciduous Trees that “Turn” and “Fall”

Maples (Japanese, Sugar, Red)

Black Tupelo

Red Oak

Crape myrtle

Dogwood

Ginkgo biloba

Aspen

Birch

Poplar

Hickory

Beech

Chinese Pistache

Liquidambar

Sassafras

Sourwood

At SeaTac Highline Botanical Gardens, the burning bush was fiery red, while the various Japanese maples showcased hues of a shiny sunset. The bucolic gardens were interrupted every three minutes with the boom of low-flying jets taking off from the airport. After seven planes, our ears were ringing, and we retreated to a quieter pond.

In Bremerton, we visited the Elandan gardens where hundreds of ancient bonsai trees, some over 1000 years old, were mingled with colorful trees “turning” and “falling” (Make sure to read next month’s column for more info.)

At the Olympic Bluffs Cidery and Lavender Farm near Port Angeles, radiant red tart apples hung in profusion on small trees.

While hiking in the rain in the Olympic National Forest, huge fern fronds flanked moss-covered old-growth trees, and maple leaves blanketed the earth, creating a Jurassic Park experience.

A study in the United Kingdom reported that the pitter-patter of falling rain encourages seeds to sprout. M.I.T. researchers discovered that even seeds exposed to recordings of rain recognized the vibrations, setting off a biological chain reaction triggering germination. Seeds “hear” the rain and grab that moisture to develop. With the amount of rain in Washington, it’s no wonder that the forest was lush with growth.

Returning from our trip, I noticed local gardens beginning their frondescence. A colorful cornucopia of rustling leaves encourages us to celebrate the foliage of November, the month of gratitude.

Hunting for a feast of spiders, worms, snails, and slugs, wild turkeys are roaming my garden, foraging in the fall foliage. Inspired by beauty, laughter, and simplicity, as autumn turns to fall, may your Thanksgiving be filled with thanks for this beautiful leaf-peeping season of “turning” and “falling”.

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.” Henry Ward Beecher

Cynthia Brian’s Goddess Gardener Guide for November

TIME to plant daffodils and other spring-blooming bulbs, including tulips, hyacinths, fritillaria, and alliums. My narcissi that were planted years ago are already sprouting and many are blooming!

DIVIDE roots of agapanthus and iris.

TOP-DRESS perennial beds with mulch to prevent erosion and maintain temperatures during the winter months.

PICK ripe persimmons, both Hachiya and Fuyu.

HIRE a handyman to install landscape lights and repair irrigation systems. Use this code to contact Honey Homes for a personalized service. https://honeyh.me/eXEn

CLEAN bird feeders and refill with seed. Birds need a little more help with finding food during the chilly weather.

AMUSE your family with the antics of the gobblers. Wild turkeys are part of the Lamorinda wild kingdom.

CHECK trees for stability before winter storms arrive. Call in a professional arborist to help you prune any unwanted or dangerous branches. Safety is of the utmost importance.

CLEAN, sharpen, and oil tools before storing them away for the next season.

DECORATE with gourds, pumpkins, and fall leaves.

REFRAIN from raking an area completely clean, as exposed soil is not natural under deciduous trees. Allow some leaves to decompose. By clearing the soil completely, erosion and leaching are invited.

COMPOST additional fallen leaves and healthy plant clippings.

PRUNE dead branches from all trees, especially Japanese maples and redwoods.

PLANT garlic and shallots for next summer harvesting.

STRATIFICATION is necessary for many springtime flowers. Mother Nature can do the work when you scatter the seeds as winter begins. You can always put your seeds in the refrigerator if you are waiting to sow in spring.

SNEAK a few minutes of nature into your daily routine to reduce stress and feel more connected to the earth.

APPRECIATE the seasonal senescence and take photos of your favorite leaf colorations.

Happy Gardening! Happy Growing! Happy Thanksgiving!

For more seasonal gardening tips and inspiration, grab a copy of Growing with the Goddess Gardener at https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/books.

Raised in Napa County vineyards, Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media, and coach, as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3.

Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at https://www.StarStyleRadio.com

Her best-selling children’s series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures, is available https://www.CynthiaBrian.com

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