Autumn is running a little late this year.

School is back in session, so many vacationers have gone home. Traffic is lighter; driving is easier.

Taking a quieter way to another town, I noticed that old roadside apple trees are jeweled with almost-ripe fruit. Nothing has been quite ready to drop, and many of the trees are too tall for us to reach those apples while standing.

Since many kinds of the fruit ripen at varying times, one should be able to pick in orchards within the next few weeks. If possible, telephone ahead to discover the best times to pick.

In one’s own back yard, now’s a good time to pick up sticks, twigs and litter. Anyone with a chipping machine can reduce some of this stuff. (Toss plastic wrappers, string and other such non-recycleables into the rubbish as you go.) If you haven’t got a compost pile, why not begin now?

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension has material for beginning composters. Here some ideas.

First, look at your property. Is there some out-of-the-way space, away from dogs/pleasant company/with some shade/in the lee of prevailing winds?

This first compost pile can begin with raked leaves, which will, in time, smash down and decompose into usable compost. When that happens, it may be added to planting holes, used as a mulch and mixed with other compost to fertilize and amend garden soil. You’ll be repaying the earth for what you took out of it when it helped you produce flowers, vegetables, fruits. Add any wood chips you have.

Cover this leaf pile with netting or other porous material so the leaves don’t blow away and rain and snow will aid in the composting process. Grass clippings may be added to the leaves.

While this is happening — and it may take a couple of years — start another compost pile. Here’s where your own research will help you decide how to create the next one.

That’s a beginning. Get in touch with the Knox-Lincoln office of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Manktown Road, Waldoboro for further help.

Want to learn more? Contact me, care of this newspaper: news@boothbayregister.com.