15 Signs Of Fall In Ditmas Park

Fall: Leaves changing on Marlborough

Welcome to autumn! The season had its first full day yesterday. In addition to the temperatures (which hit a low of 48 degrees this morning at JFK) there seem to be more and more distinct signs of fall around the neighborhood, making us excited for the cooler days still to come. Check out our list, and tell us about your favorite signs of fall.

15. HOT APPLE CIDER

Fall: Apple Cider at Dunkin Donuts

It’s slowly showing up in a few spots. The Dunkin Donuts on Newkirk Plaza also has it iced, but who wouldn’t prefer a steamy cup of warm cider while waiting on the outdoor platform for the subway?

14. HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS APPEAR AT THE 99 CENT STORES

Fall: Halloween stuff at 99 cent store on Cortelyou

It seems like each year, S&S 99 Cents Store (1318 Cortelyou Road between Argyle and Rugby Roads) has Halloween decorations and costumes in stock even before the big chain drugstores.

13. WHEN ACORNS ATTACK

Fall: Acorns

If you walk around enough, you probably know which blocks have the most aggressive oak trees, and you cross the street to avoid getting hit in the head by falling acorns.

12. COLD WEATHER CLOTHES APPEAR

Fall: mannequin hats on Newkirk Plaza

The mannequin heads on Newkirk Plaza are wearing wooly hats.

Fall: Fur-trimmed collars at Brooklyn Industries

Fur-trimmed clothes are on the racks at Brooklyn Industries (1420 Cortelyou Road on the corner of Marlborough).

Fall: Sweatshirts at Bobby's

Inexpensive sweatshirts move to the front of Bobby’s (1601 Church Avenue on the corner of E 16th Street).

11. AN INCREASE OF BLACK CATS CROSSING YOUR PATH

Fall: Black Cats

Or is that just our luck?

10. THE FIRST LEAVES CHANGE COLORS

Fall: Leaves changing on Rugby

And you know which blocks have the trees that turn first. The photo up top is from Marlborough near Ditmas, and just above is Rugby between Foster and Glenwood.

9. CANDY GETS CORNY

Fall: Candy Corn at Walgreens

There’s a dedicated display in every drugstore. It’s 2/$3 right now at the Walgreens (2101 Church Avenue between Flatbush Avenue and Kenmore Place), and they’ve got some version that apparently tastes like s’mores!

8. MUMS ON PORCHES AND DOORSTEPS

Fall: Mums on Marlborough

First on one porch, then on almost all of them.

Fall: Mums at Ox Cart

And then even in front of businesses, like Ox Cart (1301 Newkirk Avenue on the corner of Argyle Road).

7. DOGS GET PSYCHED FOR HALLOWEEN

Fall: devil dog

Devil dog spotted on Westminster Road!

6. PUMPKIN-FLAVORED EVERYTHING

Fall: Pumpkin beers at Market

Five (!) kinds of pumpkin beer at Market (1211 Cortelyou Road between Westminster and Argyle Roads).

5. IVY ON THE SUBWAY WALLS STARTS TURNING RED

Fall: ivy changing color on subway walls

Which you notice while waiting for the train, trying to keep warm with your cup of hot cider, of course.

4. SEASONAL PRODUCE APPEARS AT ALL THE MARKETS

Fall: Apples outside of the Met

The Met (1610 Cortelyou Road between E 16th and E 17th Streets) puts a giant bin of apples out on the sidewalk…

Fall: Brussels Sprouts at Natural Frontier

… while Natural Frontier Market (1102 Cortelyou Road on the corner of Stratford) already has brussels sprouts…

Squash at the Cortelyou Greenmarket

…winter squash shows up at the Cortelyou Greenmarket

Fall: Giant Squash at Flatbush Food Co-op

… and the Flatbush Food Co-op (1415 Cortelyou Road on the corner of Marlborough) always seems to get the largest butternut squash each year.

3. PUMPKINS ON PORCHES

Fall: pumpkins and mums on a porch
Fall: Pumpkin on a porch

We’ve already seen two porches with them, and it’s not even October yet!

2. OUR SHADOWS GROW

Fall: Long shadows on Church Ave

Which is all you can look at as you walk into the sunlight on Church Avenue.

1. SIDEWALKS ARE LINED WITH LONDON PLANE TREE LEAVES

Fall: London Plane Tree Leaves

Block…

Fall: London Plane Tree Leaves

…after block…

Fall: London Plane Tree Leaves

…after block.