Fall Foliage

Fall foliage, where aren’t thou? Columbus Day, next Monday, is supposed to be peak season for foliage, but Jasper County didn’t get that memo.

To produce the lovely colors of fall leaves experts tell us it takes temperatures lower than 85 degrees, lots of theories, maybe not enough rain if any. So, this is the year when we may skip right into the dreaded season when someone has to get out the rake or the leaf blower and practice, “Rake, pile, bag, repeat.” Children, especially teens, love this activity, right next to a trip to the dentist.

As you sit and watch the leaves dry up on the branches and fall to the ground, most people just close the blinds or curtains hoping that the wind will send them into the street or the neighbors yard. Only when you walk to the car do you realize that the sidewalk has disappeared under layers of dead leaves and the time has arrived.

One of the top 10 most hated sounds is the leaf blower. The operator of the leaf blower has no problem because after donning sound-deadening headphones, protective eye gear, and a respirator, they can carry on for hours, dare a leaf to escape. Best time to operate the leaf blower is early morning or late afternoon, therefore, making sure the most neighbors are at home to enjoy this sound.

So, what to do? Leave the leaves on the lawn telling the world you don’t care, mulch the leaves with the lawn mower since the lawn is dormant during the winter it might help, rake or blow the leaves into piles creating waves of harmful dust and mildew. Who knew leaves could cause such a dilemma. Nearly two million websites on this subject could help in your decision.

In the meantime, go to the local dollar stores and pick up, literally, picks of fall leaves, flowers and accessories to decorate your front door and porch. And the advantage? The colors of these fall leaves never change and can be reused next year if needed.

Let’s all hope that Hurricane Matthew sends some rain our way and that’s all we get!