Butte County Fall Overview

In autumn, night arrives earlier and hot summer temperatures begin to drop. In our Butte County Mediterranean climate, autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, although warm temperatures can often last through most of the fall. Leaves on deciduous trees begin to change to gold, scarlet, orange, and deep brown. Gardeners harvest their food crops and begin to preserve them in a variety of ways. Seedheads can be left to feed non-migrating birds through the winter. New perennials planted in fall become well established before winter to bloom forth in health in the spring. The days are continually shorter and the air chillier; by November, mornings may be frosty.

Fall Preparation

• Plant winter-blooming annuals.
• Purchase tulips and refrigerate for six to eight weeks before planting, ideally getting them into the ground in November.
• Collect, shred, and compost falling leaves.
• Ornamental flowering shrubs with a light bloom may need a dose of super phosphate to support flower development.
• Collect fruit mummies and fallen fruit from fruit trees and discard in trash to prevent disease spread and insect infestations.
• Remove all remnants of fruit that can shelter pests.
• Keep diseased plants out of the compost pile.
• Consider removing tree-of-heaven and princess tree. These landscape ornamentals harbor the brown marmorated stink bug. In addition, both are weedy, non-native escaped exotics in our wild native landscape.
• Eliminate rat nests and seal building entry points with caulking, weather stripping, or silicone seal to eliminate portals for insects and rats that search for the indoor warmth.
• Check cat and dog doors to be sure they are insect proof.
  
  

Produce in Season

Mid-September to Mid-December