It is that time of year again, in the great Northeast. Leaves are turning and peak will be upon us soon. It is almost time for the annual migration of the leaf-lookers. Cars going fifteen miles per hour in a fifty-five zone, sudden changes in direction without the benefit of direction signals and the famous stop on a dime and gawk out the windows stunt. You just never know quite what to expect.

The autumn spectacular is a beautiful sight indeed. Fiery reds, golden yellows, various shades of green cover hillsides from September to mid October. The picturesque sites draw people from all lifestyles. It is the official end of the summer tourism for the area. Travelers head back to their homes with pictures of foliage and the odd wildlife photo.

Northeast residents now brace for the second spectacular site of autumn. Science cannot explain the phenomenon, homeowners watch in awe as every tree within five miles of our homes drops ever leaf on our lawns in one day. The beautiful fiery reds and golden yellows now cover every available space in feet of leaves. The initial shock turns to horror as rain begins to fall, compacting several feet of leaves into six inches of slimy brown gunk.

The real yard work now begins for the poor homeowner; who must rake, mow and pile the wet slimy mass. The once beautiful foliage peals back layer by heavy layer. The next job is to dispose of the piles and piles of autumn fun. Villages will pick up leaves left at the curbside periodically, rural folk, however, are not as fortunate. Leaf disposal comes in a variety of methods, burning, bagging and mulching. Townships will allow burning provided guidelines are followed. Homeowners should check with their local Fire Department before burning. Bagging leaves is an option and great for Halloween fun. Disposing of the bags, after spending hours filling them, can be problematic. Check with your local township to see if they have disposal options available. Mulching is the organic option. Many homeowners use the foliage to mulch flower gardens and ornamental trees for the coming winter, leaving the problem of disposing of the leaves until spring. Composting is another option open to the homeowner and can eliminate the disposal problem. There are many ways to start and maintain a compost pile. Check with your local agriculture office for more information.

Autumn can be beautiful and fun. Children of all ages love to jump in piles of leaves. Artists are unable to capture all of the glorious color that trees and shrubs show off each year. Homeowners brace for the leaf drop extravaganza and get ready for the coming winter season. Enjoy nature at its best.