Peak foliage is almost here in Maine — now’s the time to start pressing leaves

Driving home yesterday evening, I noticed the leaves have turned quite a bit, and it reminded me of something I like to do every year.

Fall is my favorite season, and collecting red, orange and yellow leaves is a fond memory I have of growing up in New England. Pressing them is a simple, tech-free way to preserve their colors — and with Maine’s foliage season upon us, now is the perfect time to craft.

I choose freshly fallen leaves that aren’t dry, place them between layers of paper (like newspaper or parchment to prevent sticking) inside a heavy book, and let them sit under weight for a week or two. This process removes moisture and prevents the leaves from crinkling at the edges.

Maple, oak and birch leaves press well because they’re thin and hold their color. Thicker leaves, like bee