Well, it’s almost that most wonderful season of the year. Autumn! or Fall, but no matter what you like to call it, it is arriving. Somehow, we blinked and it’s already the end of July. If your summer bucket list still looks more like a wish list, don’t panic. There’s still time for ice cream runs, beach trips, and vacation.

But the feeling of change can start with just a cool breeze that sends shivers of both joy and dread down your spine. If you haven’t spent enough time outdoors this summer as of yet, the dread is doubly worse. The end is near, and you can’t get back all those hot, sultry days that kept you in the AC, because it was too hot!

The Warning Signs of Fall

There are various signs that autumn is approaching, some of which may be unique to your region. I’d love to hear about your favorite signs! One consistent indicator that marks the beginning of this transition is June 22nd. This date initiates the countdown to fall, bringing shorter days and changing sunlight. Although the days don’t begin to noticeably shorten until a little later in June, we start to see the sun rising later and setting earlier. The sun’s arc across the sky shifts southward, but these changes become more evident in late July and August—or for those in denial, perhaps as late as September.

I have published my 2026 Scenic New England calendars. This year I created two calendars with scenic New England images. Visit my page and choose one of my 2026 calendars . Also, on the same page, is a link to my page that lists all of my previous calendars which are updated with 2026 dates. Go to Lulu.com and view/purchase.

Jeff’s Top 20 Signs That Autumn Is Almost Here

1. Around Mid-to-Late July, I will start to hear the cicadae sing their mating song. The wail of their cry stops me in my tracks and brings thoughts of late summer and fall to mind.
2. Questions in my email or comments on my blog about “Early” fall colors, or what I think of their itinerary. (As early as May in any given year.)
3. The local farm stands start opening with the first locally grown vegetables (onions, beets, leaf lettuce, and other early products). Sweet corn will soon arrive…
4. You can’t resist taking a picture of every changed leaf on the ground. Jeff will bug Lisa (Mrs Foliage)by finding a red or yellow leaf on the ground (fall is almost here!)
5. You start thinking about Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving preparations in July. Craft stores and Home Depot put out their displays.
6. Your summer shorts and sandals are still on the rack, but you’re eyeing the flannel shirts because those mid-August mornings have a distinctive chill outside.
7. Mid-August, I will pick up my copy of Yankee Magazine (The fall foliage edition) and look for a new place to explore.
8. You start strategically planning your “leaf peeping” routes weeks *MONTHS* in advance.
9. Pumpkin spice becomes a food group, not just a flavor. Starbucks officially announces the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) and its fall menu for the current season.
10. You find yourself complaining about the impending winter, even though it’s still August.
11. During warm August mornings will find myself writing at my desk. The window is open, and a honking noise gets my attention. The honking of geese overhead made me cross to the window to look up and see a gander in formation heading south. Another sign is that autumn is on the way.
12. Not everybody loves candy corn like I do, but when Brach’s Candy Corn hits the stands, that is a sure sign that the 1st day of fall is not too far away.
13. Fall festivals and events: From mid-September to early November. Fall festivals celebrating harvests, foliage, and various traditions happen in New England. The Big E fair starts in mid-September. View my page listing Fairs across New England.
14. The local cider donut stand has a line longer than the supermarket on Thanksgiving Eve.
15. At some point here, the urge for a cider donut will drive me to stop at one of the many locations like Cider Hill in Amesbury or the Common Man at the rest stop just after the Hookset tolls on I-93. Or over at Meredith, NH, at the Moulton Farm… Oh, there are too many to list! Do you have your favorite? Leave a comment here.
16. Fall foliage begins to emerge: Leaves on many trees start to change color, displaying reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. While peak foliage typically occurs in late September to mid-October, depending on the region, some color can start appearing earlier, especially in higher elevations. Northern New England sees peak foliage earlier than southern areas.
17. Crisper air and changing smells: The outdoor air begins to feel crisper, especially in the mornings, and the wind direction changes, says The Old Farmer’s Almanac. You may also notice the smell of browning or fallen leaves underfoot.
18. You can tell the season is turning when the mosquito population finally starts to dwindle.
19. Squirrels prepare for winter and become busy collecting acorns and other nuts for their winter stashes.
20. Jeff Foliage hits the road (mid-September is the start), looking for all the fall colors to tell you about!!!

These are 20 of what come to my mind as events that signal the pending arrival of fall… If you have a different sign, leave yours in the comments below.

Jeff Foliage Folger

Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage

Visit my Amazon affiliate store for items that Lisa and I have curated for you. These items are either New England-made or things we think will make your fall foliage trip more successful.

• Visit my Fine Art America Gallery
• Visit my Amazon store to pick up New England-related materials
• Follow me on Bluesky
• My Facebook foliage page
• Threads.net/@Jeff_Foliage
• Follow our new Fall Foliage FB Group!
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