Hello October, the official “leaf appreciation month!” Every tree and shrub, clad in dazzling hues, takes center stage, performing a technicolor curtain call before bidding adieu to their leaves. The carpet of fallen leaves is not merely a final display of color, but a treasure trove, offering a bounty of mulch and compost for our gardens.

Incredible as this transformation is, the secret to fall’s stunning color change lies in the natural pigments found in leaves. During the lush summers, a pigment named chlorophyll gives leaves their vibrant green. But as autumn approaches and chlorophyll breaks down, the yellow and orange carotene pigments hidden beneath come forth. Some trees and shrubs even produce red and purple anthocyanin pigments, which are synonymous with the antioxidants found in colorful fruits and vegetables, acting as protective compounds for these plants.

However, the quality of fall colors is influenced not just by nature but also our gardening practices. Overindulging plants with nitrogen and moisture deters dormancy and dulls the colors. Conversely, allow your plants to experience mild stress with less water by summer end. This aids them in hardening off, promoting vibrant, protective pigments.

As October showers return, soil fungi – our garden’s own cleanup crew springs into action, decomposing fallen leaves and organic material. Beneficial mycorrhizal fungi thrive in this moist, leaf-littered ground, enhancing root function, nutrient uptake, and sometimes even providing a barrier against harmful fungi. This vital process is disrupted when garden beds are routinely cleared of all fallen leaves.

So this October, let’s embrace the fallen leaves, marvel at the color transformation, and remember, each leaf not only signifies the season change but is also a vital component of our garden’s health and beauty.