Now in early November, the sun noticeably takes a shorter path across the sky, arching low on the southern horizon. This seasonal tilt of the earth away from our star, the sun, is expressed in the landscape by long shadows and most dramatically by shorter days and long cold nights. Plants in our garden respond on cue to this seasonal variation. The green chlorophyll on the leaves’ surface of our hardwood trees sloughs off into the atmosphere, gradually revealing the yellow, orange and red pigments hidden all summer long under the green layer of chlorophyll. Now exposed, these colorful pigments provide a brief, yet stunning show of autumn color.

With winter approaching, the cooler soils slow root growth until the entire plant falls into winter slumber. The gardener in response to diurnal variations, noted by shorter days, temperature swings and the increase in relative humidity, must adapt and focus on a new garden routine.