We are still very much in summer here in Oconee County, but by late August, you can begin to see little hints that fall is not too far away.
The afternoons are still hot. We are still watching the sky for those late-day thunderstorms. Gardens are still producing, hummingbirds are still busy, and butterflies are still visiting the flowers.
But something is beginning to change.
The Mornings Feel a Little Different
One of the first things I notice is the morning air.
It may not exactly be cool yet, but some mornings have just a little less heat and humidity. In the mountains around Mountain Rest, Tamassee, and Salem, you may even catch a hint of that cooler weather that will eventually work its way down toward Walhalla, West Union, and Seneca.
It is enough to remind you that September is coming.
The Days Are Getting Shorter
By late August, darkness starts arriving a little earlier.
You notice it when you are working outside after supper or trying to squeeze in one more yard project before dark.
Those long June evenings are behind us.
Before long, we will be thinking about porch lights, football games, cooler evenings, and maybe even pulling a light jacket out of the closet.
The Butterflies and Hummingbirds Are Busy
This is also an interesting time in the garden.
Hummingbirds become especially active as migration begins, and some butterflies are moving through South Carolina as well.
Monarchs are the best known, but Red Admirals, Painted Ladies, and Cloudless Sulphurs may also be seen during seasonal movements.
That makes late-summer flowers especially valuable.
If you have lantana, coneflowers, asters, goldenrod, milkweed, or other nectar plants still blooming, leave them alone a little longer. They do more than make the yard pretty.
The Garden Is Changing Too
Tomatoes, peppers, beans, and other summer vegetables may still be producing, but many gardens are beginning to slow down.
This is when I start noticing what worked this year and what I might change next year.
Maybe a spot needs more flowers.
Maybe it is time to plan a butterfly garden.
Maybe those tomato plants need to be moved next spring.
Gardening feels like one long experiment, and late summer gives us time to start thinking about the next one.
Homeowners Start Looking Toward Fall Chores
Late August is also a good time to look around the house.
Summer storms may have left branches in the yard or debris in the gutters. Shrubs may need trimming. Closets may need purging. Outdoor areas may need a little attention after a long, hot summer.
You do not have to tackle everything at once.
A few small projects now can make fall maintenance much easier.
Fall Is Not Here Yet
I am not ready to rush summer away.
There are still peaches to enjoy, tomatoes to slice, evenings on the porch, and plenty of warm days ahead.
But late August has its own feeling.
Summer is still here, while fall is quietly beginning to make an appearance around the edges.
And in Oconee County, that change of seasons is always something worth noticing.
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