Before our thoughts turn to colorful fall displays, I want to mention the other three seasons of leaves.

Using evergreen trees with needles that stay green and continue with photosynthesis among hardscapes can give us plenty of winter interest.

When spring approaches, the deciduous trees, ones that lose their leaves at the end of season, give us hope that our dreary winter is coming to an end turning our landscapes from brown to many shades of green.

Summer leaves give us much-needed shade for our breaks working in our garden. This is when the green leaves (because of chlorophyll absorbed from sunlight) get busy and do their job of producing food for the trees. They are attached by a continuous vascular system to the rest of the tree to exchange nutrients and water.

Although fall foliage is nearing its end, there are still days to observe colors you might not think of — by taking a hike, going on a drive or just using a point of view from a different window.

As we finish this glorious season, I wanted to share what I do to soak it all in.

Going for a walk in the woods, taking a drive or just sitting on my back deck to see the riot of brilliant colors makes me smile. I’m surrounded by maple trees, which love to show off at the end of summer before they enter winter dormancy.

As the seasons change, temperatures drop, and the days get shorter. Trees get less direct sunlight and the chlorophyll in the leaves break down. Lack of chlorophyll reveals the yellow and orange pigments that already there were but masked during the warmer months.

Darker red leaves are the result of a chemical change as sugars that get trapped in leaves produce new pigments called anthocyanins that weren’t part of the leaf in the growing season.

Trees build a protective seal between leaves and their branches as the weather turns. After taking as many nutrients as possible from the leaves and being cut off from the fluid in the branches, they separate and drop to the ground.

It’s best to mow and mulch your leaves to top dress your yard. I also add some to my compost pile.

Unfortunately, my beautiful maples are over my gravel driveway, so mowing isn’t an option.

I must rake them onto a tarp and drag them onto my yard to mow.

I must admit that some loads go into the field next to me as technically some of the trees do belong to them.

I’m so lucky my dog, Tucker, always lies on the tarp so it doesn’t blow away. I sure do get the stink eye when I make him move.

My grandsons also are very “helpful” as one likes to rake into a pile while the other loves to jump into the above raked pile, making his brother upset. This usually results in leaves flying back into the yard.

At some point the leaves lose their appeal and my thoughts turn to winter when I’m able to relax by the woodstove with my hot toddy.

Did I mention the gutters?

Baytos is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.